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.
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish signed into law today a bill that will create a publicly accessible, online database of financial information from government agencies in New Mexico.
Yesterday we were unable to reach all of the House members who were missing from the debate and vote on a measure that raises about $240 million through various taxes and revenue-generating mechanisms. But we’ve since talked to them and…
On Wednesday evening, as the House was debating a series of tax increases, five members were missing from the chamber–and not excused, leading to a call of the House. “I believe there was a plan to allow people to leave,” House Minority Whip Keith Gardner said.
The House has easily approved the creation of a publicly accessible, online database of financial information from government agencies in New Mexico that would include the names of exempt employees but not classified employees.
Three Doña Ana County legislators who want to reform rules that govern the State Land Office have endorsed former Land Commissioner Ray Powell in his 2010 bid to regain the seat. Sen. Steve Fischmann and Reps. Jeff…
New Mexicans may soon be able to renew their drivers licenses without having to stand in line. House bill 25 passed on Friday by a vote of 58-0. The bill now has less than a week to make it…
Anyone convicted of domestic violence in the previous three years would be disqualified from being hired as a police officer if legislation passed by the House Monday becomes law.
HB 17, a bill that would prevent convicted domestic violence offenders from becoming police officers and would remove certification from current officers convicted of domestic violence crimes, is being sent back to the House Judiciary Committee, where it…
Four members of New Mexico’s House of Representatives walked out of the House Judiciary Committee Friday afternoon as a domestic violence bill was being heard.
HB 17, which was introduced by Rep. Nate Cote and
Attorney General Gary King plans to push a number of ethics-reform proposals during the 30-day session of the state Legislature that begins in January. At the top of his list is the creation of an independent ethics commission.
At least one state lawmaker who has been involved in attempts to reform the State Land Office is questioning whether an assistant commissioner’s disclosure of a conflict of interest on a 2003 form was sufficient. Several others say the state’s disclosure laws are in need of reform.
Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill yesterday that prohibits “bias-based” profiling.
The legislation was sponsored by state Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, HB 428. It describes profiling as the “practice of relying” on such factors as ethnicity, race, language,…
A bill that would require competitive bidding on all State Land Office development leases was the only legislation in a package of proposals made by three Las Cruces Democrats to gain approval in the session that ended Saturday.
State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons says a trio of Doña Ana County lawmakers proposing to reform his office have an “anti-growth agenda” and a plan to carry it out that includes electing one of them to replace him next year.
In response to a controversy involving the State Land Office and a Las Cruces developer, three Doña Ana County lawmakers are proposing reforms that would increase transparency and accountability in the land commissioner’s dealings.
