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Headlines: NM House Passes Right-To-Work, Eyes Uber And Lyft...

Arianna Sena
/
KUNM

NM House Passes Revamped Right-To-Work BillThe Associated Press

The GOP-controlled New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a contentious right-to-work bill that tacks on an increase in the minimum wage from $7.50 to $8 an hour.

The Republican-sponsored bill prohibits requiring workers to join a union or to pay dues as a condition of employment and applies to both public and private sectors.

The House voted 37-30 Wednesday to move the bill along to the Senate, where it faces resistance.

Democratic leadership says it is united in stopping right-to-work legislation in the Senate, where Democrats have a majority.

Federal data shows about 43,000 workers in New Mexico were members of unions in 2014, or about 5.7 percent of the total workforce.

Wisconsin and Missouri are also considering right-to-work laws. Twenty-four states already have such legislation.

Heated Exchange Stalls New Mexico Solitary Confinement Bill - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel did not vote on a solitary confinement reform proposal after a Democratic member questioned why anyone would oppose it, which led to a heated exchange.

The House Safety and Civil Affairs Committee ended abruptly Thursday after Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero refused to stop talking over the objections of Chairman William Rehm, who then adjourned the meeting.

Witnesses who had testified in support of the bill sat stunned as the meeting suddenly ended.

The measure would have banned the use of solitary confinement on juveniles and inmates suffering from mental illness.

Caballero, a Democrat, faced criticism last month when she compared the federal Real ID Act and repeal of the state's immigrant driver's license law to the Holocaust. She later apologized.

New Mexico Senate Panel To Consider Stream Commission BillsThe Associated Press

A Senate panel plans to consider measures that would provide legislative oversight of a powerful water committee and require more fiscal transparency.

The Interstate Stream Commission has been criticized in recent months over its decision to move ahead with plans for a diversion project along the Gila River. Supporters say drought-stricken New Mexico has a rare chance to tap a new source of water, but critics argue that the effort could end up costing the state and rural water users $1 billion.

The commission's newly named director is also under fire. Gov. Susana Martinez named Deborah Dixon to the post last week.

Environmental groups allege there's a conflict of interest since Dixon worked for a major engineering firm that was contracted by the state to work on the Gila proposals.

New Mexico House Panel Eyes Regulating Uber, Lyft - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House committee is set to discuss a measure aimed at regulating ride-booking companies like Uber and Lyft.

The House Transportation and Public Works Committee is scheduled Thursday to discuss a proposal that would require such services to provide insurance and conduct rigorous background checks on drivers

Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose are sponsoring the bipartisan legislation as state officials wrestle with how to respond to the expansion of Uber and Lyft in the state.

The hearing comes a day after New Mexico regulators tabled a decision to allow Lyft to operate in the state while lawmakers debate the future of such companies.

Last year, the Public Regulation Commission ordered the San Francisco-based Lyft to cease operations in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Police: Homeowner Fatally Shoots IntruderThe Associated Press

Albuquerque police say a homeowner has fatally shot an intruder during a home invasion.

Police say the shooting occurred Thursday morning at a home on the 1100 block of Stutz Northeast.

The wounded man was taken to a hospital where he died.

Albuquerque police say it's too early to determine whether charges will be filed against the homeowner.

The names of the homeowner and the intruder haven't been released yet.

New Mexico Panel Eyes Proposal Limiting Solitary Confinement - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel is scheduled to debate a proposal that would ban the use of solitary confinement on juveniles and inmates suffering from mental illness.

The House Safety and Civil Affairs Committee is set Thursday to discuss a measure that would also limit solitary confinement to no more than consecutive 15 days and no more than 60 days a year.

The proposal comes after a number of high-profile lawsuits by inmates who alleged that they were placed in inhumane and filthy isolation cells in state prisons or county jails.

Dona Ana County in 2013 reached a $15.5 million settlement in a case of a man who was held in solitary confinement for two years without a trial and was so neglected that he took out his own tooth.

Suits Allowed Over Harm From Participation In Care Reviews - The Associated Press

A New Mexico Supreme Court ruling says doctors can sue if they're fired or suffer other "adverse employment consequences" from participating in quality-of-care reviews of other doctors.

The justices' recent ruling stemmed from a Roswell hospital's firing of a physician after he participated in a peer-review process for another doctor who also worked for the hospital, the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.

The hospital said Dr. Emre Yedidag (YA'-duh-dag) engaged in unprofessional conduct by being overly confrontational during the review.

The doctor denied doing that, sued and won a jury verdict that the hospital violated his employment contract and a state law requiring that peer reviews be kept confidential.

The hospital appealed but the Supreme Court ruled for the doctor, saying he was entitled to protections under the peer-review law.

Film Production Continues In New Mexico Post 'Breaking Bad'The Associated Press

Almost two years after the last "Breaking Bad" episode aired, film and television production in New Mexico is showing no signs of slowing.

AMC's "Better Call Saul," a Breaking Bad prequel, just wrapped up and NBC's "The Night Shift" is filming for its second season in Albuquerque.

A new Adam Sandler western production is set to begin and the state film office is set to announce a major movie production.

Albuquerque Studios chief operating officer Wayne Rauschenberger says New Mexico reputation as an attractive site for filming and the state's film tax breaks keep productions coming. In addition, he says productions can hire local crews.

Gabe Sachs, an executive producer for "The Night Shift," says actors also enjoy relative anonymity around the state and don't have to worry about paparazzis.

New Mexico Regulators Punt Ride-Booking Service Lyft Ruling - The Associated Press

New Mexico regulators have tabled a decision to allow ride-booking service Lyft to temporarily operate in the state while lawmakers debate the future of such companies.

The Public Regulation Commission voted Wednesday to table San Francisco-based Lyft's request to function in the New Mexico amid confusion over state laws.

Last year, the commission ordered Lyft to cease operations in Albuquerque, where the company had launched its mobile device-based service.

Lyft and Uber use smart-phone programs to connect people seeking rides with people who have cars.

Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose have introduced a bill that would allow ride-booking services to operate in New Mexico.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a measure earlier this month to allow the companies to operate in that state.

Film Production Continues In New Mexico Post 'Breaking Bad' - The Associated Press

Almost two years after the last "Breaking Bad" episode aired, film and television production in New Mexico is showing no signs of slowing.

AMC's "Better Call Saul," a Breaking Bad prequel, just wrapped up and NBC's "The Night Shift" is filming for its second season in Albuquerque.

A new Adam Sandler western production is set to begin and the state film office is set to announce a major movie production.

Albuquerque Studios chief operating officer Wayne Rauschenberger says New Mexico reputation as an attractive site for filming and the state's film tax breaks keep productions coming. In addition, he says productions can hire local crews.

Gabe Sachs, an executive producer for "The Night Shift," says actors also enjoy relative anonymity around the state and don't have to worry about paparazzis.

New Mexico Man Settles Solitary Confinement Federal Lawsuit - The Associated Press

A New Mexico man allegedly kept in filthy solitary confinement conditions and reportedly was denied proper health care has settled his federal lawsuit.

A lawyer for 51-year-old Jerome Gonzales announced Wednesday that his client settled his lawsuit with Otero County for $2.9 million.

Attorney Matthew Coyte said Gonzales suffered from mental illness and was not given proper treatment while in the southern New Mexico county jail.

According to the lawsuit, Gonzales was place in solitary confinement in February 2012 following an arrest for driving with a suspended license. Court documents say county officials let Gonzales' mental state deteriorate to a point would Gonzales would strip naked and cover himself in feces.

Otero County Commissioner Ronny Rardin did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.

Guilty Plea For Ex-Leader Of Albuquerque-Based Drug Ring - The Associated Press

Authorities say the former leader of an Albuquerque-based drug trafficking organization has pleaded guilty to a cocaine charge and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors say 35-year-old Christopher Roybal entered his plea Wednesday.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors say Roybal will receive a 14-year prison sentence.

They say Roybal is one of the 19 defendants charged in December 2012 with drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

Prosecutors say Roybal and 10 other people conspired to distribute large quantities of cocaine in New Mexico between August 2011 and December 2012.

They say Roybal and nine others conspired to distribute marijuana between October 2011 and December 2012 and the indictment also included 22 money laundering offenses.

Prosecutors say Roybal pleaded guilty to participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy and three money laundering conspiracies.

Contractor Faces Possible Prison Term In Real Estate Scheme - The Associated Press

A Valencia County contractor faces up to nine years in prison when he is sentenced on guilty pleas to criminal charges in a real estate scheme.

The New Mexico Securities Division said 41-year-old John Perea of Los Lunas pleaded guilty in state District Court in Albuquerque last week to multiple counts of fraud and embezzlement.

According to the division, Perea must pay nearly $400,000 in restitution to people whom he induced to invest in real estate projects and private lending opportunities.

The division said the investments were supposed to be used as private financing for construction of homes by Perea's company, Don Juan Construction.

The division said Perea used money from new investors to pay previous investors and diverted investors' money for his personal living expenses.

Weather Service: New Mexico To Get More Snow This Week - The Associated Press

Parts of New Mexico are expected to get two more rounds of snow during the rest of the week, with heavy snowfall expected across much of the state.

The National Weather Service says a storm system and cold front will drop snow on the state's northeast quarter Wednesday night and Thursday. Areas expected to get heavy snowfall include the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the northeastern highlands.

Another round of snow is expected to start late Thursday, with heavy snowfall expected in the northern mountains and adjacent highlands.

According to the weather service, snowfall rates may exceed an inch an hour.

Forecasters say that'll result in poor driving conditions with severely reduced visibility.

The focus of heavy snowfall is expected to shift to northwestern New Mexico early next week.