New Mexico's Martinez To Lead GOP Governors Association -Steve Peoples, Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has been tapped to lead the Republican Governors Association for the next year.
She becomes the first woman and the first Hispanic to lead the political organization dedicated to electing Republican governors across the country. GOP governors meeting in Las Vegas on Thursday voted Martinez into the new post. Her one-year term begins immediately.
The RGA has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years. There are currently 31 Republican governors, not including incoming Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin.
Martinez's new job served as a launching pad for ambitious Republicans in the past.
Former chairmen include Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal and Mitt Romney.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who recently suspended his 2016 presidential bid, was elected vice chairman Thursday.
US Postal Service To Host Passport Fairs Around New Mexico – The Associated Press
The U.S. Postal Service will be hosting passport fairs around New Mexico as residents brace for identification requirements to take effect early next year.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently denied New Mexico an extension from tougher federal requirements on state driver's licenses under the REAL ID Act.
The decision means New Mexico driver's licenses and IDs won't be valid for federal purposes such as entering military bases and nuclear research labs starting Jan. 10. As a result, residents are seeking passports as an alternative.
The Albuquerque Post Office will offer the first of six days of passport fair events beginning Nov. 28. Two more fairs will follow on Dec. 5 and 6.
Events are also planned in eight other communities.
All the fairs are first-come, first-served.
Report: Weak Market Hits New Mexico Pension Funds - The Associated Press
Legislative analysts say the two retirement systems that cover tens of thousands of state and local government workers in New Mexico are facing more than $11 billion in unfunded liability.
Staff with the Legislative Finance Committee announced this week that the gap between projected funds available and what's needed for current and future retirees could grow if fund managers fail to earn a certain return on investments over the next decade.
The executive director of the Public Employee Retirement Association, Wayne Propst, says the last fiscal year wasn't good and the markets remain choppy. But he's more hopeful than the committee staff.
Propst says the retirement programs are in a better place than they were just a few years ago thanks to reforms signed into law in 2013 and 2014.
UNM, NMSU To Increase Security At Sporting Events – The Associated Press
New Mexico's two major universities are increasing security at football and basketball games in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks and threats around the world.
The Albuquerque Journal reportsthat the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State are alerting fans to prepare for longer line when entering stadiums and arenas.
Rio Rancho has also increased security for its two high school state football playoff games.
UNM Assistant Athletic Director Mike Haggerty says the change is a direct result of recent terrorist activity around the world. He says during last week's terrorist attack in Paris a soccer stadium was targeted, leading sporting venues in the United States to take note.
Haggerty says UNM has not received any specific threats.
Longtime State Legislator Martinez Won't Seek Re-Election - The Associated Press
Longtime state legislator Ken Martinez says he won't seek re-election and has instead taken a job as the new Bernalillo County attorney.
The Bernalillo County Commission appointed Martinez by a 5-0 vote Friday. He replaces Randy Autio, who is retiring.
Martinez will have to finalize the contract with the county and pass a background check before his final appointment.
He won't be able to run for re-election for his House seat as part of the county contract, but will take part in January's 30-day legislative session.
Martinez, D-Grants, has served as state House District 69 representative since 1999. The district serves Bernalillo, Cibola, McKinley, Socorro, San Juan and Valencia counties.
He served as House Majority Leader for eight years and was elected Speaker of the House in 2013.
Holly Holm: Albuquerque 'Supportive' In Road To Championship – The Associated Press
New UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm says her hometown of Albuquerque played a key role in her road to winning the belt.
The New Mexico native told CBS sports talk show host Jim Rome on Friday that the city was supportive during her career as a former No. 1-ranked boxer, and later a kickboxer and mix-martial arts fighter. Holm says she was proud to bring the championship to Albuquerque and her local fans.
Last week, Holm pulled off a stunning upset victory over Ronda Rousey in UFC 193, knocking out the women's bantamweight champion in the second round with a powerful kick to the head in Australia.
Holly says if the UFC schedules a rematch with Rousey she will "train twice as hard to be as dominant."
New Mexico exchange targets Hispanics, Native Americans – The Associated Press
Officials with the state's health insurance exchange say New Mexicans have until the end of January to sign up for coverage during an open enrollment period.
The exchange has boosted its Spanish-language ads and is reaching out to Native Americans as well as faith-based, school and civil groups.
Officials say the exchange has been cleared by federal officials to shift some of the grant money it receives for technology to focus on outreach since the exchange relies on the federal platform to register people.
Exchange CEO Amy Dowd says there has been strong interest in the first two weeks of the enrollment period and that traffic on the exchange's website has grown significantly since 2014.
The exchange also is opening enrollment centers in Farmington, Las Cruces, Gallup and Santa Fe.
$1M Annual Fee For Hunter Access To New Mexico Trust Lands – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has agreed to pay a $1 million fee for hunters, anglers and trappers to have access to state trust lands.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the Game Commission approved the agreement at a meeting Thursday in Roswell following months of negotiations between the department and Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn.
The Game and Fish Department will pay the State Land Office $1 million next year.
That's five times what the department is now paying. Dunn had insisted that the current $200,000 annual fee is too low.
As part of the deal, the Land Office agreed to allow some camping by hunters on trust lands in specified areas and also ensure that critical access points to the trust lands are open and have clear signs.
New Mexico Game Commission Delays Decision On Wolf Permit – The Associated Press
The State Game Commission has decided to delay a decision on an appeal that would allow endangered Mexican gray wolves to be kept at Ted Turner's ranch in southern New Mexico.
A bid by the Ladder Ranch to renew its permit for holding wolves in captivity was denied earlier this year, partly over concerns that federal officials have yet to update the recovery plan for the species.
The Turner Endangered Species Fund appealed. Executive director Mike Phillips told commissioners during a meeting Thursday in Roswell that the decision singled out the ranch for unequal treatment.
The Roswell Daily Record reports it could be months before the commission rules on the appeal.
New Mexico wildlife officials also have denied permits to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for wolf releases.