Proposal to take redistricting out of lawmakers’ hands clears first hurdle
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A proposal to take away the power of state lawmakers and the governor to redraw legislative districts got off to a successful start Wednesday. Continue Reading
Senate OKs bail-reform bill, sends proposal to House
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After a rancorous and wide-ranging debate, state senators voted 29-9 Tuesday for a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to defendants they consider dangerous and to release from jail nonviolent prisoners who simply lack the money to post bail. Continue Reading
Three Senate Republicans join Dems to amend House Real ID bill
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With Tuesday’s amendments, House Bill 99 would allow people who don’t prove citizenship or legal status to obtain two-year renewable driving privilege cards — instead of having to renew annually — and wouldn’t require fingerprinting. Continue Reading
Smith introduces bill to delay some tax cuts approved in 2013
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Sen. John Arthur Smith said the proposal is a “backup” in case the state’s revenue picture takes another turn for the worse. Continue Reading
New budget proposal utilizes unspent money, trims higher education
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New Mexico House lawmakers Tuesday made it clear that a broom, not a chopping block, is the preferred tool to find money that can pay for basic government services in the wake of falling revenue. Continue Reading
The five ‘rights’ every project needs to succeed
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We always need to do these projects with the five “rights:” the right people, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way. Continue Reading
Bill to tax out-of-state art sales riles gallery owners
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Santa Fe gallery owners and others in the art business say a tax bill introduced in the state Senate would do serious damage to the industry in New Mexico and hurt tourism in the state Capital. Continue Reading
Bill to shore up lottery scholarships moves ahead
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The Senate Education Committee on Monday unanimously voted to approve a bill to use unclaimed lottery prize money to shore up the state’s Legislative Lottery Scholarship fund. Continue Reading
Sen. Soules votes to table his own school funding bill
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Sen. Bill Soules said he was looking to instigate a serious discussion about whether public school funding in New Mexico is enough to cover students’ needs. Continue Reading
One early childhood funding bill is dead; the other is unlikely to survive
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One bill to use gains from the state’s $15 billion land grant endowment to expand early childhood education died Monday. A second has little chance of clearing the Legislature and receiving a place on the November ballot. Continue Reading
Voters will replace Levatino on City Council if she wins Senate seat
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Ceil Levatino will have to resign from her position as a Las Cruces city councilor if she wins a state Senate seat she’s seeking this year. Continue Reading
Senate may slow progress of governor’s pet bills in session’s second half
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The remainder of the 2016 legislative session is likely to be dominated by the Democrat-controlled Senate stalling or killing many of the governor’s pet bills — and House Republicans blasting the Democrats for doing so. Continue Reading
Today’s budget realities could help us prepare for the future
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This is an excellent time for us to reexamine how we develop our budget and to think about just how much we depend on a relatively small number of sources to fund state government. Continue Reading
Behavioral health cuts could take toll on substance abuse services
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The governor is seeking a 1.2 percent cut in funding for the state’s Behavioral Health Services Division. The Legislature is looking for a 19 percent cut, seeking to shift some of costs over to Medicaid, which is jointly funded by the state and federal government. Continue Reading
Republican joins Dems to advance House bill on open primaries
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A proposed constitutional amendment to allow all registered voters to vote in major-party primary elections advanced Saturday when one Republican sided with Democrats. Continue Reading