Thousands of New Mexicans’ driving records have more traffic-violation “points” than they should, the state Taxation and Revenue Department admits, because of a reporting system flaw that came to light while officials were looking into the traffic records of Albuquerque’s Jason Daskalos. Santa Fe County’s early attempts at drafting oil and gas regulations for the area that includes the Galisteo Basin drew about 100 interested parties to a public hearing — far fewer than the 800 who showed up to protest when Tecton Energy first proposed drilling last year. A disclaimer has been added to a billboard along I-10 near El Paso, which originally stated only: “McCain-Palin, Change babies can live with.” State Senate Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, has become the second prominent legislator in the past month to call for more restraint on state spending.

 

Flaw in traffic “points” system found

The Albuquerque Journal reports that after completing its investigation into why millionaire “speedster” Jason Daskalos’ traffic convictions were not appearing on his record, state Department of Taxation and Revenue discovered something else:

…Officials discovered a flaw in their driving record reporting system that meant points were wrongly added to some motorists’ driver’s licenses. State officials said they believe the flawed system had been in place for more than a decade.

Points are put on driving records each time a motorist is convicted of certain moving violations, such as speeding. Enough points can cause someone to lose his or her license and pay higher insurance rates.

The investigation discovered that some motorists who received a deferred judgment outside Bernalillo County were getting points added to their licenses. Under a deferred judgment, motorists can have their tickets dismissed and avoid points as long as they complete terms set by the court, such as attending driving school.

A hot line has been set up for those who think points were mistakenly added to their licenses. Call MVD at 1-888-683-4636 and be prepared to give your full name, driver’s license number, date of birth, telephone number and e-mail address. Or look online at www.tax.state.nm.us.

 

Tecton protest toned down

About 100 people attended Thursday’s County Development Review Committee hearing on the latest version of Santa Fe County’s attempt to draft regulations to govern the oil and gas industry, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. And the tone was different from last year’s first meeting on Tecton Energy’s proposal to drill in the Galisteo Basin, when about 800 people packed the Santa Fe High School gymnasium and “booed, hissed and berated county officials.” The paper notes:

This time the audience repeatedly thanked officials and planners for their dedication to the task of protecting county residents and resources from the potential impacts of hydrocarbon production.

The paper says also that:

The CDRC will review the draft again on Nov. 6 and 14 before making recommendations on them and passing them on for consideration by the County Commission on Nov. 18. The county’s yearlong moratorium on oil and gas development ends in February but could be extended for an additional six months.

 

Billboard gets disclaimer

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports from its El Paso bureau that a billboard along Interstate-10 West near Raynolds supporting Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign would have likely gone with little notice if it had originally included a few simple words: “Paid for by Laura McIntyre.”

Instead, the only text on the billboard read “McCain-Palin, Change babies can live with.”

Elections laws require the addition of a disclaimer stating who paid for the advertisement.

The McCain campaign said it knew nothing about the pro-life billboard, while representatives of Clear Channel Outdoor referred questions to the person who paid for it. McIntyre did not respond to calls seeking comment, but the disclaimer showed up on the billboard on Thursday.

 

Curbs on spending sought

State Senate Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, has become the second prominent legislator in the past month to call for more restraint on state spending, the Albuquerque Journal reports. Jennings told the Journal he’s “not looking for a fight” but said state legislators and the governor should look for ways to reduce spending in light of the national economic downturn. Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, who is chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee, issue a similar call earlier this month.