Senate votes to override Richardson veto

The Senate voted Monday to overrideGov. Bill Richardson’s veto of a 2009 bill that would have required state agencies to share confidential data with the Legislative Finance Committee. The tension between the LFC and state agencies over lack of sharing data has simmered for years. But last month, The Independent revealed, in an exclusive story, that an Attorney General’s report shows the state had hindered Medicaid fraud investigations.

Independent Forum:

Ethics commission: At what cost?

According to an analysis released this week by the Foundation for Open Government, the current proposals for an independent state ethics commission would make virtually all of the meetings and documents of that commission confidential. But is it worth establishing an independent ethics commission if the panel’s work is secret?

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Teague wants more states to collect DNA from felony arrestees

U.S. Rep. Harry Teague has introduced legislation that would encourage states to collect DNA from people arrested for felony crimes so it can be checked against DNA gathered from other unsolved crimes.


Tea Party convention marks coming out for a movement

As the convention wrapped up with an hourlong address by and Q&A with Sarah Palin — broadcast live on CNN, Fox, MSNBC and C-Span — it was clear that the organizer’s massive and controversial gamble had mostly paid off. More than 200 members of the media had descended on Nashville to write probing stories on the Tea Party Movement.


NOW: Live blog of the 2010 legislative session, day 21

Join The Independent and staff from the Sunlight Foundation as we report live from the Senate Rules Committee this morning. Click the headline to join in.


Senate passes bill to claw back more than $130 million from stalled projects

The state Senate voted 36-4 Saturday to strip more than $130 million from brick-and-mortar projects from around the state.

While senators overwhelmingly supported the legislation, the debate sometimes reflected the anger that lawmakers felt at watching money stripped from projects in their district. State officials say they need to claw money back from stalled projects to beef up the state’s reserves.


Tax hikes pass House, but not without a fight

The first two tax increases to reach the floor of the House made it through on Friday, but not before some strong words on both sides. One bill would temporarily raise the gross receipts tax by .5 percent; the other would raise taxes on the state’s highest earners by 1.5 percent. Both bills could bring in $300 million to state coffers.


Missing GOP members could have killed Lujan’s tax bill

House Speaker Ben Lujan’s bill to implement a temporary half-cent hike in the state’s gross receipts tax would presumably not have passed earlier today if two Republican members hadn’t missed the vote.


Lawmakers split on SIC reform

State senators weren’t agreed Friday about how to reform a state agency at the center of an investment scandal. But one thing’s for sure: they’re spoiling for a fight with Gov. Bill Richardson over who should control the State Investment Council. Three reform bills are being combined into one that could be heard on Monday in the Senate Rules Committee.


Transcript: Live blog of the 2010 legislative session, day 17

In the morning we were joined by the Sunlight Foundation during the Senate Rules Committee this morning; in the afternoon we watched some big drama unfold as the House passed tax bills and the budget. Click the headline to read a transcript of the live blog.


House prepared to vote on tax package, Speaker says

The House of Representatives could vote as early as Friday morning to raise $380 million in new revenue to help close next year’s budgetary shortfall. A half-cent hike in the state gross receipts tax and a 1-percent surtax on the state’s wealthiest residents are in the mixture of tax increases and targeted closure of tax deductions and loopholes. House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, said Thursday afternoon he thinks he has the votes to push through the tax package.


The Independent Blog

House votes to disqualify domestic violence offenders from police force

Anyone convicted of domestic violence in the previous three years would be disqualified from being hired as a police officer if legislation passed by the House Monday becomes law. More »


Hispanic Education Act waits on Senate Finance Committee, UPDATED

The Hispanic Education Act’s next move in the House is a floor vote, after the House version of the bill, HB 150, cleared the House Education Committee this morning on a seven to three vote.  On the Senate side, the final committee for SB 132 is Senate Finance.  The Hispanic Education Act has gained momentum as a way to focus attention and resources on closing the “achievement gap” between Anglo and Hispanic students. More »


Sen. Smith: chances of special session ‘pretty high’

The 2010 regular session will end with an answer to the state’s budget problem. But will it be a lasting answer? Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said Monday that the odds are “pretty high” that lawmakers will need to come back to Santa Fe for a special session before next year’s regular 60-day session. More »


Teague says he’s focused on representing, not campaigning

U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., had little to say today about his looming election battle against former Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, saying he’s more focused on doing his job.  More »


Domestic partnership hearing will have to wait

Imported Photos 00058The sign posted on the door of the Senate Finance Committee room is clear: no domestic partnerships hearing until the budget is done.  “This session is about fiscal appropriations,” Senator and Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said succinctly.

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House OKs interim committee webcasting

State Reps. Jeff Steinborn, Right, and Janice Arnold-Jones talking during today’s vote on the webcasting memorial. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)

State Reps. Jeff Steinborn, Right, and Janice Arnold-Jones talking during today’s vote on the webcasting memorial. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)

The House easily passed a memorial today that, if also approved by the Senate, will direct legislative staff to begin webcasting interim committee meetings held around the state. More »


Sec of State: Not enough money for 2010 elections

Secretary of State Mary Herrera is sounding the alarm as loud as she can at the Roundhouse: there isn’t enough money for 2010 primary or general election.

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House presents basketball trophy to Senate


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SIC reform is tweaked, moves on

After consolidating three bills into one, the Senate Rules Committee made a few more big changes to a bill designed to reform the State Investment Council.

“Blending these three bill together we finally have true reform,” said Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque.

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Same day early-voting clears Senate committee

A bill that would allow same-day voter registration at early voting sites cleared the Senate Rules Committee on a 4-3 party-line vote. The committee turned back an attempt to require government-issued photo ID when registering at early voting sites.
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Senate passes bill to help Las Cruces spruce up downtown

A bill that would allow a tax district in Las Cruces to issue tax-exempt bonds to help pay for revitalizing downtown cleared the Senate unanimously Monday morning.

The bonds would be backed by future state and local tax proceeds. More »


News from around the state

Santa Fe mayoral hopeful David Coss is in the lead, says a poll from Santa Fe New Mexican.

With plans to build solar power plants in Lea and Eddy counties, SunEdison wants to secure a contract beyond 20 years, says the Hobbs News-Sun.

The Farmington Daily Times reports on the Navajo Nation’s plans to build a new jail, courts, and police buildings in Shiprock.

The AP announces that the Rail Runner is raising fares and cutting down services on Saturdays as of Feb. 15.

The Deming Headlight highlights the “Cinderella Project,” a Luna County program geared to educate young women about abuse and self-esteem.

El Defensor Chieftan writes on the life of a Socorro High School graduate who won a Grammy at this year’s show.


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