Mora County Continues Oil And Gas Drilling Ban – The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
Mora County commissioners have voted to continue a ban on oil and gas drilling that has triggered lawsuits from the oil industry but brought out a passionate defense from local residents concerned about pollution.
The ban put in place in April 2013 made the northern New Mexico County the only one in the nation to ban drilling. A practice known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has led to dramatic boosts in production but triggered worries about damage to local water supplies.
The oil and gas industry says there are no environmental issues with "fracking."
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the 2-1 vote by commissioners Tuesday night was a surprise because two commissioners had said they planned to repeal the ordinance. But Commissioner Alfonso Griego reversed his position.
NAACP New Mexico Branches To Meet In Hobbs - The Associated Press & The Hobbs News Sun
The New Mexico branches of the NAACP are coming to Hobbs for the civil rights group's statewide conference.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that the 63rd annual gathering Oct. 24 and 25 comes as civil rights leaders are calling for police reforms.
The Department of Justice and the city of Albuquerque are finalizing a plan aimed at reforming that city's police department following 41 police shootings since 2010. A federal report faulted Albuquerque police over its use of force.
Organizers expect around 150 to attend the conference at Baymont Inn and Suites Hotel.
Officials say there are 11 NAACP New Mexico branches in the state.
Governor Spends $1.9 Million On Re-Election - The Associated Press
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has spent nine times more than Democratic challenger Gary King in the past month as she flooded the airwaves with hard-hitting television advertising.
Campaign finance disclosures filed Tuesday show Martinez with cash-on-hand of $2.7 million with Election Day less than a month away. King had $123,600 in his campaign account as of last week.
The incumbent spent $1.9 million from Sept. 2 through Oct. 6, including $1.2 million on TV and radio advertising and $221,000 on targeted mailings to voters.
King spent nearly $206,000 but nothing on TV ads. He launched a new ad last week after the campaign finance reporting deadline.
Martinez raised almost $763,600 and King collected about $172,000 in contributions, including a personal loan of $1,000.
GOP Group Raises $400,000 For Legislative Races - The Associated Press
A Republican group has raised $400,000 in the past month to help the GOP gain legislative seats.
A finance report on Tuesday showed Advance New Mexico Now spending $136,000 from Sept. 2 through Oct. 6. Expenditures included almost $55,000 on mailings in House races, $40,500 on polling and nearly $18,000 on radio advertising.
The committee is a "super PAC" that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to independently advocate the election or defeat of candidates. It has cash-on-hand of $486,000.
The Republican State Leadership Committee contributed $150,000 to the PAC and Artesia oil producer Mack Energy Corp. gave $100,000. Western Refining chairman Paul Foster donated $50,000.
Democratic PAC Patriot Majority New Mexico raised $1.1 million in the last month to help Democrats retain their legislative majority.
Navajo Justices Asked To Weigh In On Language Case - The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation Supreme Court has been asked to weigh in on a decision to keep a disqualified presidential candidate on the ballot.
A tribal hearing officer disqualified Chris Deschene last week after he refused to show he met a qualification to be fluent in the Navajo language.
The Navajo Board of Election Supervisors voted Monday to hold the election as scheduled on Nov. 4 with Deschene's name on the ballot.
Attorneys for two men challenging Deschene's candidacy say the supervisors are wrong to disregard the ruling disqualifying Deschene.
The attorneys filed a petition Tuesday asking the tribe's high court to enforce the ruling and have election officials move up the third-place finisher from the tribe's presidential primary.
Deschene has said he'll appeal the ruling.
Bernalillo County Board Oks $4M In Job Incentives - The Associated Press
An Albuquerque company that specializes in cyber security and information technology will use a $4 million incentive package from Bernalillo County to fund an expansion.
County Commissioners approved the package unanimously at their meeting Tuesday evening.
The county will provide a $4 million industrial revenue bond package that will let Computational Analysis and Network Enterprise Solutions, LLC, renovate and equip a commercial building. The privately-financed bonds will let the company avoid some taxes.
The company now has about 30 employees but plans to add 40 new workers by 2016 at an average salary of more than $81,000
NM To Offer State Land For New Solar Power Plants - The Associated Press
The State Land Office is accepting bids from companies interested in developing what would be New Mexico's largest solar power plant.
Land Commissioner Ray Powell wants to lease four square miles of state trust land in southern New Mexico for the development of a 150-megawatt solar plant.
Powell says the plant would be three times bigger than the state's largest existing plant. It would be capable of producing enough electricity to power more than 54,000 average homes.
The Land Office began advertising for bids last Friday. Qualified bidders will compete for the lease during a January 5th public auction at the Otero County courthouse in Alamogordo.
The agency is also accepting bids for another solar project on trust land in Dona Ana County that would cover one square mile.
NAACP New Mexico Branches To Meet In Hobbs - The Associated Press and Hobbs News-Sun
The New Mexico branches of the NAACP are coming to Hobbs for the civil rights group's statewide conference.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that the 63rd annual gathering Oct. 24 and 25 comes as civil rights leaders are calling for police reforms.
The Department of Justice and the city of Albuquerque are finalizing a plan aimed at reforming that city's police department following 41 police shootings since 2010. A federal report faulted Albuquerque police over its use of force.
Organizers expect around 150 to attend the conference at Baymont Inn and Suites Hotel.
Officials say there are 11 NAACP New Mexico branches in the state.