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.
We’ve already listed which bills passed both chambers during the legislative session, and now, as Governor Bill Richardson signs or vetoes these bills, The Independent will keep you up to date. The list of bills that Richardson has signed as…
Gov. Bill Richardson was in Las Cruces Saturday to sign into law the Whistleblower Protection Act, funding for the Las Cruces downtown tax increment development district and colonias, and a spaceport-related bill.
Legislative leaders have struck a budget deal, and just in time. Details are few, but Gov. Bill Richardson saw it Friday and pronounced it good. Here are the general outlines of the deal. The recently struck deal involves raising $233 million in revenue. That revenue would come from increasing the state’s gross receipts, cigarette and compensating taxes. Certain foods also would be taxed for the first time in years, although it’s unclear what food items would fall under the state’s gross receipts tax. The proposed budget agreement also relies on spending decreases. State agencies are expected to shave spending. Public education, meanwhile, would be reduced by about 1 percent.
Hours after two state representatives joined GOP lawmakers to table a major budget bill, the pair changed their votes and the bill moved forward. What happened between two major votes on Feb. 17, the next to last day of the regular session, offers a glimpse into how the New Mexico Legislature operates, especially when rank-and-file lawmakers buck a coalition of power brokers.
In the town of Silver City, there are four city employees who might be considered ‘double dippers,’ including the city police chief, Mayor James Marshall told The Independent Thursday. ”These people put in their service and get paid…
Legislative leaders were at the Roundhouse Thursday for a third day of “intense, behind-closed-doors talks and one key Senator said they were almost exactly in the same place they were when the session ended a week ago.
At the request of legislative leaders, Gov. Richardson on Tuesday postponed the special legislative session by five days. Why do lawmakers want to craft a budget deal before they deliberate in public?
Gov. Bill Richardson has delayed until Monday, March 1, a special session originally scheduled for Wednesday.
His decision came as top lawmakers lobbied him to postpone the session, which will be dominated by money issues. State lawmakers have to craft…
In the 30 days of the 2010 legislative regular session which ended on February 18, there were 130 bills, 36 joint memorials and six joint resolutions that passed both chambers. Of those bills, memorials and joint memorials, four have been…
While a number of high-profile ethics and transparency measures died as the clock expired on the regular session last week, the New Mexico Legislature also sent a number of significant proposals to the governor for action.
“It would be a case of us asking everyone who comes in ‘Are you 21?’ and ‘Are you carrying a concealed firearm?” Al Lucero of Maria’s restaurant in Santa Fe said Monday of a bill that would allow concealed weapons in restaurants that serve beer and wine. Meanwhile, John Nardine, the general manager at Upper Crust pizza in Santa Fe, told The Independent: “I just think it’s a really bad idea.”
Despite a unanimous vote on the House floor, Rep. Brian Egolf’s bill to move New Mexico’s money to local banks, HB 66, didn’t make it to the Senate in time for a vote during the regular session. Now Egolf…
A majority of states–New Mexico included–are tapping into rainy-day funds to get through this year, reports Stateline.org.
Last week the New Mexico Legislature failed to craft a budget for next year because of disagreements between legislative leaders. But…
OK, we’ve got a few days to rest and reflect, but next week it’s back to the grindstone, as the Legislature convenes for a special session. The Independent will be providing full coverage from the Roundhouse, but as we fine-tune…
“I’m very disappointed they failed to reach an agreement,” Gov. Bill Richardson said half an hour after the end of the session. “They were very close. It was nip and tuck.”
On Wednesday evening it became clear lawmakers didn’t have a budget deal, Speaker of the House Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe said, while speaking to reporters after the close of the 2010 regular session. Democratic leaders say the difference between their budget and the Senate’s was narrowed to $50-$70 million dollars but there were still sticking points they couldn’t overcome.
At the end of the 2010 session there was little that would make anyone happy. But the failure to pass a budget and an impending special session left House Republicans particularly frustrated. “I feel like we ended in…
State legislators (and Independent staffers!) will be back at the Roundhouse next week–Gov. Bill Richardson said at a press conference that he would call a special session to begin next Wednesday at noon.
The special session would not include a…
Two Representatives from Albuquerque — one Republican and one Democrat — disagreed Thursday on whether the House had worked hard enough on passing a budget during the 30-day session that ended at noon. Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert, R-Albuquerque, began the exchange…
Proposals to expand legislative webcasting and create a state ethics commission died in the Senate today when the session ended without Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, calling them up for debate.
