I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Albuquerque City Council Director Laura Mason tells the Independent she disagrees “wholeheartedly” with City Attorney Bob White’s opinion about the council missing a deadline to approve this year’s Capital Improvement Program.
In White’s opinion, because the council didn’t meet the deadline, the mayor’s original CIP proposal becomes the one submitted to the public for a vote this fall, through bond measures.
While White, an appointee of Mayor Martin Chavez, is the city’s attorney, both Mason and City Council staffer Bruce Thompson are attorneys who examined the issue. Mason said they wouldn’t have proceeded the way they did if they didn’t think they were within the guidelines established by the ordinance.
For this reason, Mason argues that the mayor has until Friday to sign or veto the CIP legislation approved by the council. If he doesn’t take action, she said, it’s her opinion that the council’s bill will take effect.
The council approved the CIP on a 7 to 2 vote. If the mayor were to veto it, he would most likely face a successful veto override during a year in which he’s running for re-election.
Here are the letters and the city council analysis referenced in the previous NMI post on this topic.
Letter from ABQ City Attorney Bob White about 2009 CIP proposal
Letter from Mayor Martin Chavez to ABQ City Council about the 2009 CIP proposal
Response bullet points to White's opinion, from City Council Staff Laura Mason and Bruce Thompson, Page one
Response bullet points to White's opinion, from City Council Staff Laura Mason and Bruce Thompson, Page two
