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.
The New Mexico Health Policy Commission and state Health Department are in negotiations to determine the Commission’s fate, officials at both agencies have told The Independent.
The Commission was created by the legislature in 1991 to provide state…
After Gov. Bill Richardson’s press conference today, his office sent out details of his actions on the budget. We’ve got them here for you to see.
Gov. Bill Richardson today smacked down an attempt by lawmakers to force 7.6-percent cuts on state agencies under his control and cut the salaries and benefits of some of his political appointees.
In doing so, he announced his own…
Gov. Bill Richardson announced his decisions on the state legislature’s special session budget fix today in a press conference at the state capitol. The Independent webcasted and live blogged the event. Click the headline to read a transcript of our conversation.
State Sens. Phil Griego and David Ulibarri each missed nearly half of the October special legislative session to go elk hunting, KRQE reports. While Sen. Ulibarri left the session after three days, missing all of the votes on…
On Thursday, technology permitting, the New Mexico Independent hopes to webcast and live blog two events at the State Capitol: Gov.Bill Richardson’s press conference on budget fixes at noon and, an hour later, a presentation on combined reporting during the…
Gov. Bill Richardson signed today legislation that cuts $110 million from various state funds to help plug this year’s budget shortfall, but he vetoed a provision that would have taken more money from the state auditor.
“Without the…
After facing what amounted to a funding cut of 14 percent earlier this year, state Auditor Hector Balderas’ office says it may not be able to do its job if it loses additional funds the Legislature voted to take…
Acknowledging the Governor’s opinion that their budget fix may not protect the state’s medicaid program from cuts “may very well be correct,” New Mexico legislative leaders delivered a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson today, urging him not to make cuts…
In the one week since Lt. Gov. Diane Denish established a government efficiency hotline, over 100 calls have been received, her office announced today. The majority of those calls were about “double dippers,” retired employees who have returned to work…
New Mexico state lawmakers struggled to pass a mid-year state budget fix last week, but in a possible sign of how difficult things may become politically, at least one public employee union is already throwing out a seldom-used threat in New Mexico: Democratic lawmakers, we’ll work to unseat you if you cut education.
The government workers’ union is asking Governor Bill Richardson to veto the part of the recently passed budget bill that requires him to cut state agency budgets by 7.6 percent. ”Additional cuts of nearly 8 percent, which is closer to…
The governor says that the Legislature is forcing him to make cuts to Medicaid, but legislative representatives say the intent of their bill is to protect Medicaid programs and that the governor is free to spare them if he wants.
Looking to catch up on all the action from the New Mexico state Legislature’s 2009 special session on the budget? Well you’re in luck. We’ve got links to all seven days right after the jump.
Gov. Bill Richardson sounds a lot like a man who’s getting ready to line-item veto certain provisions in a bill the Legislature approved last week that makes deep cuts to state government.
In response to budget-cutting bills sent to his office at the end of the special legislative session on Friday, Gov. Richardson is asking the public to share their thoughts.
“While the Legislature made minimal cuts to education, legislators targeted state…
Governor Bill Richardson isn’t happy with the budget solutions passed by the state legislature during the week-long special session that concluded on Friday evening, the Associated Press reports. Richardson told the wire service, “every possible action, including vetoes, will…
Both the House and the Senate have adjourned, the boards read sine die, and the 2009 special session is over. What now? Go read Trip Jennings’ story on the bit that finally came out of the special session.
A budget that largely protects K-12 education, while cutting deeply into most state agencies, won approval from the Legislature Friday evening. The bill, which trims more than $200 million in spending, now goes to Gov. Bill Richardson.
Gov. Bill Richardson would have to reduce the salaries and benefits for 102 political appointees rather than 80, if an amendment to the budget bill is approved by the House.
Sixty two of those exempt positions are vacant, meaning the…
