New Mexico Advocates Praise Same-Sex Marriage Ruling - The Associated Press
The Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States comes almost two years after gays and lesbians began marrying in New Mexico.
But gay-rights advocates and their supporters praised the landmark decision Friday, which expanded the right nationwide.
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, a Santa Fe Democrat, says it momentous day for the millions of Americans who now have the freedom to marry regardless of sexual orientation.
And Laura Schauer Ives, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, says the ruling is the final nationwide victory to the decades-long freedom to marry movement.
In August 2013, gay couples in New Mexico began getting licenses after a Dona Ana County clerk said his reading of New Mexico law didn't prevent same-sex marriages in the state.
New Mexico Business Boss 'Optimistic' About Boost In Funding - The Associated Press
New Mexico's top economic development official says the state's decision this year to pour millions of dollars into wooing businesses and spurring job creation isn't being taken lightly.
Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela told lawmakers during a meeting Friday that his office is crafting policies to ensure that the money is spent wisely and that the program is transparent.
Barela says proving the state is getting a return from its investments under the Local Economic Development Act — or LEDA — will be key.
The state aims to create at least 1,500 jobs through the program in the next fiscal year.
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and the Legislature approved $50 million for LEDA projects during this year's regular and special legislative sessions. That's more than three times what was set aside for the program last year.