New Mexico’s highways have been ranked third in the nation by a new study by the Reason Foundation, according to New Mexico Business Weekly. According to the study it calculates, "the effectiveness and performance of each state in 12 different categories, including traffic fatalities, congestion, pavement condition, bridge condition, highway maintenance costs, and administrative costs." North Dakota and Montana were ranked at the top of the list.

Families shopping for back to school items will get a break this weekend as New Mexico tax-free weekend starts today. According to the Farmington Daily Times, clothing and shoes costing less than $100 will be tax-free as well as school supplies under $15. Computers that cost less than $1,000 are also included in the break. The tax break is per item so families are not restricted to a dollar purchase amount. This is the fourth annual tax-free weekend. Families are estimated to save $4.6 million through the three-day event.

Proposed legislation in Washington would settle outstanding and ongoing Indian water rights cases in the Santa Fe and Taos areas. According to the Albuquerque Journal, new legislation introduced Thursday by Senator Pete Domenici, Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Democratic Rep. Tom Udall would:
 

authorize the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to develop water infrastructure in the Rio Grande Basin and approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Tesuque and Taos pueblos. The Aamodt settlement calls for construction of a regional water system in and around Santa Fe County to serve the area pueblos and non-Indian water users, including many who now have their own wells.