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The New Mexico Independent going forward

By | 11.16.11

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…

EIB hears more anti-cap-and-trade testimony

Mesa Verde 80
By | 11.10.11

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…

New Mexico’s largest university low in popularity

jobs-80
By | 11.10.11

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.

Posts Tagged michael sanchez

The New Mexico State Capitol. Photo: AP Bailey, Flickr

Time runs out on legislation

By | 03.21.11 | 7:00 am

Two bills that get a lot of attention and the capital outlay bill failed to pass the state legislature this year as they failed to gain approval from both chambers in the final hours of the state legislative session on Saturday.

The New Mexico State Capitol. Photo: AP Bailey, Flickr

Senate could hear budget tonight

By | 03.15.11 | 12:11 pm

The Senate intends to hear the budget bill today but other controversial bills, including the film tax credit legislation, will have to be heard first, perhaps signaling a long night in the Senate as time runs out in the 60-day session.

A section of DNA. Image: Wikipedia

Senate amends Katie’s Law expansion

By | 03.14.11 | 9:48 am

The Senate amended another of Gov. Susana Martinez’s legislative priorities on Saturday, this time a law that would have required all those arrested for felonies to have their DNA put into a crime database. The amending of the expansion of an already existing law, known was “Katie’s Law,” shows another rift between the governor’s desires and that of the state Senate.

Gov. Susana Martinez. Photo: Facebook

Martinez will veto Senate’s driver’s license bill

By | 03.11.11 | 2:21 pm

Gov. Susana Martinez said at a press conference Friday morning that she would veto the Senate’s driver’s license bill that would still allow illegal immigrants to receive licenses but tightened restrictions on the licenses while also increasing penalties for fraud.

Photo: Enokson, Flickr

Senators question public education secretary-designate’s credentials

By | 02.22.11 | 8:06 am

Part of the Senate leadership is questioning whether the nominee for public education secretary reaches constitutional muster. The dispute comes on whether the nominee, Hanna Skandera, is a “qualified, experienced educator,” the Associated Press reported Monday.

Election day live blog begins at 9 a.m.

By | 11.01.10 | 6:12 pm

Our biggest and best-ever election day coverage begins Nov. 2 at 9 a.m., when we launch an interactive live blog, in partnership with our colleagues at The Santa Fe New Mexican. Join us throughout the day to catch up…

Guv involved in food tax ‘every step of the way,’ Senate majority leader says (updated)

By | 03.24.10 | 5:54 pm

Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael S. Sanchez, D-Belen, just released a statement saying he’s surprised the governor vetoed the food tax—because the guv was in on the plan the whole time.

“I am surprised that the governor has decided to…

Ethics, transparency legislation dies on the Senate floor (updated)

By | 02.18.10 | 12:32 pm

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.

Legislature passess bill to ensure state doesn’t go into the red this year

By | 02.18.10 | 10:30 am

The House and Senate ensured Thursday morning that New Mexico won’t go broke this year, by agreeing to sweep more than 1,500 stalled brick-and-mortar projects for money to beef up this year’s reserves.

SB 182 claws back $130 million from…

Hispanic Education Act passes Senate

By | 02.17.10 | 7:58 pm

HB 150, the House version of the Hispanic Education Act passed the Senate Wednesday by a vote of 25-13. But because of an amendment by Sen. Linda Lopez, the bill must go back to the House before it…

House and Senate still far apart on budget; deadline looms

By | 02.17.10 | 1:09 pm

Legislative leaders are running out of time to finalize a state budget package, but a deal must come together by tonight in order to clear the logistical hurdles of passage. If no deal is made, leaders agree they must claw back capital $130 million in outlay funds to make sure the state doesn’t start bouncing checks.

Senate could hear two webcasting bills today

By | 02.17.10 | 11:36 am

Two pieces of legislation that would expand webcasting are on the Senate calendar today. Senate Resolution 1, sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, is No. 11 on today’s calendar. House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las…

House committee changes capital outlay bill, setting up a showdown

By | 02.16.10 | 11:16 pm

A House committee on Tuesday removed two Belen projects from a bulging capital outlay bill (SB182), setting up a possible showdown between the House and Senate.

The capital outlay bill is meant to sweep $130 million in state money…

Pension amounts to be made public if guv signs bill

By | 02.16.10 | 8:34 pm

A bill that would require the Educational Retirement Board to publicly disclose the pension amounts for each of its 30,000 members passed the Senate Tuesday night and will now go to the governor for his signature.

Senate Rules OKs interim committee webcasting

By | 02.16.10 | 11:33 am

Without debate, the Senate Rules Committee today gave a do-pass recommendation to a memorial that would direct Legislative Council Service to begin webcasting interim committee meetings. House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, now heads to…

Domestic violence bill clears Senate Judiciary Committee

By | 02.15.10 | 8:57 pm

Monday evening the Senate Judiciary Committee brought one step closer to law a bill that would prevent domestic violence offenders from working as law enforcement officers. HB 17, co-sponsored by Rep. Nathan Cote and Sen.

Lujan: House should act on budget Tuesday

By | 02.15.10 | 6:58 pm

Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, said the House should vote Tuesday on whether to accept substantial changes to the state budget made by the Senate on Saturday.  If the House agrees with the changes, that means the state budget…

Sanchez says webcasting resolution isn’t dead

By | 02.14.10 | 10:57 pm

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez cut short a Sunday hearing on a resolution that would expand webcasting from the Senate floor, but Sanchez says the resolution isn’t dead, regardless of what others claim.

“It could come back up before…

Guns in restaurants that serve beer, wine are closer to reality

By | 02.12.10 | 6:23 pm

Annie got one step closer to being able to carry her concealed gun into a restaurant on Friday.

Senators voted 27-15 to approve Sen. George MuñozSB 40 that would allow those with concealed weapon permits…

Senate Rules OKs webcasting expansion

By | 02.10.10 | 10:09 pm

The Senate Rules Committee gave its approval Wednesday to legislation that would expand the number of cameras used in webcasting from the Senate floor.