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 bill to repeal the state’s film credits is behind them, but film workers say by even introducing the idea costs not only them, but the entire state. Two more bills are targeting the credits and while they won’t repeal…
Watch out, cities. A bill introduced by Sen. President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, this week could dramatically affect cities’ bottom line if it passes, Steve Terrell of the Santa Fe New Mexican informs us today.
By a 31-5 vote, Jamie Koch survived a bruising debate in the state Senate Monday to win another term on the University of New Mexico Board of Regents. But the lopsided vote belied strong opposition presented from faculty and student representatives, as well as some state lawmakers. Among opponents’ biggest gripes was the amount of money spent on top administrators over the last few years as funding for some academic programs has languished. The cost of administration at UNM had jumped to $8.2 million in 2008, up from $2.6 million in 2002, Dr. Tim Lowery, a UNM professor, told lawmakers sitting on the Senate Rules Committee Monday morning.
A week after Gov. Bill Richardson said publicly he would propose a bill to reform the State Investment Council, a powerful Democratic lawmaker on Wednesday essentially said put your money where your mouth is.
“In the state of…
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.
Despite Gov. Bill Richardson’s very clear message that tax increases aren’t part of the Legislature’s business during the special session, several senators filed such bills Saturday. They will face their first obstacle when the Senate’s Committee on Committees hears those bills at meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday. This particular Senate panel determines what legislation is germane, or relevant, to the Legislature’s business during the special session. Their guide: the governor’s proclamation.
A federal court on Monday ruled that the state of New Mexico had violated two nonprofits’ rights to free speech last year by attempting to force them to disclose the origin of the money that had paid for mailers that were critical of state lawmakers.
The Independent sought to view documents from the governor’s office from January through August 2006 that would have divulged with whom he had met in the months prior to the costly investment that benefitted the son of the governor’s friend to the tune of millions of dollars.
Gov. Bill Richardson took the extraordinary step Thursday of banning the use of third-party agents in some state investments, a controversial practice that has burst into the spotlight as names involved in a New York investment scandal have popped up here.
Lawmakers hit New Mexico’s secretary of the Department of Transportation, Gary Giron, with questions Wednesday about a controversial piece of legislation that, in their opinion, would “politicize” the agency’s six district engineers.
A federal judge has granted a motion for Eclipse Aviation to liquidate its assets, ending a decade-long run for the aircraft maker, the Associated Press reports.
Also, the sole airline at the Farmington airport will add a flight to…
The budget bill scrapped $94 million for projects like domestic violence shelters and pre-K classes, but largely spared an equestrian center backed by Gov. Richardson. The vote led one Senator to declare, “Much of what we do in the Senate is indefensible.”
The state Senate just recessed for an hour so that a powerful legislative committee can meet to discuss committee assignments.
There is much interest in who is selected as chairs to Senate committees after the Senate Democratic caucus was divided…
Tim Jennings may have retained his spot as Senate president pro tem Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean the factionalism vexing the Senate Democratic caucus is over. But questions remain how the fallout will play out in the Senate chamber during the 60-day legislative session.
Memo to New Mexico’s 112 state lawmakers: Remember what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. For many in Santa Fe that could become the mantra, because the 60-day legislative session that kicks off Tuesday at the Roundhouse could call for a feat of superhuman strength.
House Speaker Ben Lujan said Sunday that Gov. Bill Richardson‘s decision to stay in New Mexico instead of departing to become the U.S. commerce secretary is a “blessing in disguise.” That’s because the 112-member Legislature convenes in less than three weeks and has a very tall order: balance the state’s books. The state of New Mexico is looking at a budget gap for this year estimated at more than $450 million.
Sen. Tim Jennings of Roswell accused the governor Monday of orchestrating a putsch against him in his bid to keep his office as Senate President Pro Tem, despite Richardson’s pledge last month not to interfere in Roundhouse leadership fights.
The Democrats scored an impressive victory in last month’s general election. They won all four congressional seats up for grabs and padded their majorities in both chambers of the State Legislature. So is it possible that the GOP could play the role of kingmaker in an ongoing state Senate leadership battle? Sen. President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, believes so.
