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.
Everything from a Hewlett Packard center in Rio Rancho to technical support center at Mesa Del Sol in Albuquerque to dam repair in Bluewater and Hatch would be funded through a bill that cleared the House Taxation and Revenue Committee late Wednesday.
The bill, SB 112, authorizes projects around the state that would be paid by issuing severance tax bonds. The bonds are sold based on future tax proceeds based on the taking of minerals, such as natural gas, from New Mexico land.
The bill was amended Tuesday night to add money to the Hewlett Packard and Mesa del Sol projects. Both are priorities for Gov. Bill Richardson.
The amendment increased to $2.5 million, up from $2 million, the amount earmarked for the Mesa del Sol technical support center, according to a legislative spreadsheet. It doubled to $6 million, up from $3 million, the money dedicated to the Hewlett Packard center.
The amendment also put in $3 million for the Santa Fe Indian School to complete construction of its wellness center. There was no money in the original bill for that facility.
Another $1 million would go to the Science Technology & Sculpture Foundry Complex. No money was set aside for that project in the original bill.
Also increased was the amount of money – $2.5 million, up from $2 million — to complete construction of the Santa Teresa port of entry, near Sunland Park, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
According to the state Property Control Division the point-of-entry project is under-funded. The project is estimated to cost $15 million, with appropriations to date at $10.4 million, including federal Department of Transportation funds, according to the spreadsheet.
