Medicaid Edges Out Political Agendas In New Mexico – Associated Press
Rising costs for health care linked to the expansion of Medicaid in New Mexico are crowding out initiatives sought by Gov. Susana Martinez.
She was only the second Republican governor to break ranks with GOP allies and expand Medicaid. Now Medicaid looms over nearly every state spending decision as lawmakers meet in Santa Fe to craft a budget.
Leading legislators say the governor's signature spending initiatives on law enforcement and education will be squeezed by a $78 million funding need for Medicaid next year as states pick up a portion of the full federal subsidy. Medicaid enrollment extends to 36 percent of the state's population.
Over a dozen states that opted to expand Medicaid have seen enrollments surge beyond projections, straining budgets.
New Mexico Lawmakers Rewrite Budget With Less Money To Spend – The Associated Press
Legislative leaders in New Mexico's House of Representatives are preserving pay increases for police and prison guards and trimming funding to higher education as they redraw next year's state budget to offset falling revenue projections.
The House Appropriations and Finance Committee voted to move forward with $81 million in spending increases with no new taxes during the fiscal year starting in July.
That is a far cry from the roughly $230 million spending increase recommended two weeks ago by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Gone from the newly drafted budget are base-salary increases for teachers recommended at the start of the legislative session.
Funding for state colleges and universities would be reduced by $3.4 million if the spending plan becomes law.
Martinez Says Real ID Bill Lacks Security – The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says a new compromise bill aimed at making New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act lacks needed security safeguards.
Martinez spokesman Chris Sanchez said Tuesday the bipartisan proposal doesn't require fingerprints for immigrants in the country illegally who could obtain a driver's permit card.
Sanchez said such security safeguards needs to be in any REAL ID fix to prevent fraud.
The proposal introduced by Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith and Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle combines elements of dueling Democratic and Republicans plans.
The bill would allow all New Mexico residents to apply for REAL ID compliant licenses or obtain a "driver's permit card." Under the proposal, immigrants in the country illegally would be allowed to apply for the permit card but could no longer get a New Mexico driver's license.
Bail Bond Reform Amendment Clears New Mexico Senate – The Associated Press
A constitutional amendment aimed at reforming New Mexico's bail bond system has cleared the state Senate.
The chamber voted 29-9 in favor of the proposal, sending it to the House for consideration.
If approved, the question of whether to give judges the authority to deny bail to dangerous defendants would be put before the voters during the next general election in November.
The proposal would also allow judges to grant pretrial release to low-risk defendants who are being held because they are too poor to make bond.
The amendment's sponsor, Democrat Sen. Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, said the proposal is the result of many months of work by a task force of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, bail bondsmen and others. He said the current system simply hasn't been working.
State Police: 26 Las Cruces Residents Charged In Drug Probe – The Associated Press
Authorities say 26 Las Cruces residents face drug and other charges as a result of a multi-agency investigation into narcotics trafficking in Dona Ana County.
New Mexico State Police said Tuesday that the three-month operation called "Southern Sweep" targeted several trafficking organizations.
State police said other agencies participating in the investigation included the FBI, the Las Cruces Police Department and the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office.
The U.S. Marshal's Office and Homeland Security Investigations also was involved in facets of the investigation.
Former Los Alamos Laboratory Workers Ask For Fraud Probe – The Associated Press
Three former employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory are asking federal prosecutors to reopen a fraud case at the lab and investigate the death of a former lab deputy director.
The whistleblowers sent a letter Tuesday to New Mexico U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez. They say the probe is needed to ensure the lab runs smoothly as the Department of Energy looks for a new contractor to manage operations.
The lab was rocked by a purchasing scandal in 2002 that led to at least 18 senior managers being dismissed, demoted or transferred. Former lab director John Browne resigned after the investigation.
The whistleblowers also suspect there's more to the death of former deputy director Richard Burick, which police said was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound a year after he retired.
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Who Owns Roads On Tribal Lands – The Associated Press & Santa Fe New Mexican
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in a decades-old dispute over who owns roads crossing tribal lands used to access private property adjacent to San Ildefonso Pueblo.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that U.S. District Judge James Browning ruled on Saturday that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the complaint.
2The ruling doesn't end the dispute. The plaintiffs, a group called Northern New Mexicans Protecting Land, Water and Rights, can refile the suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims or appeal the decision.
The suit comes as the San Ildefonso Pueblo has been seeking payments for a range of rights of way including roads across tribal land. The residents who use those roads say the roads belong to the county and that they have "implied easements" to the roads.
State Suspends Audit Into MLK Commission Amid Investigation – Associated Press
The state auditor is suspending an audit into the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission and calling for the Department of Finance Administration to take over the panel's day-to-day financial operations as its executive director faces accusations of possible fraud and embezzlement.
New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller sent a letter Monday to commission chairwoman Karen Montoya, saying the move to involve DFA is necessary for the commission's small remaining staff.
The commission promotes diversity and organizes events around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
State Attorney General Hector Balderas confirmed his office was investigating the commission last week, the same day agents were seen moving documents and computers from the commission's office in Albuquerque.
A day later, search warrants detailed checks issued to executive director Kimberly Greene and what's believed to be a forged invoice for more than $51,000.
New Mexico House Clears Local Curfew Legislation – Associated Press
A measure that would give local governments the authority to impose curfews for children under the age of 16 has cleared the New Mexico House.
The House voted 44-21 late Monday. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
House Majority Leader Nate Gentry, one of the bill's sponsors, says nothing good happens to children who are out unsupervised late at night.
The legislation was spurred by a rash of crime in Albuquerque last summer that involved teenagers.
In June, an Albuquerque man was shot to death in his driveway by what police called a mob of teens involved in a streak of break-ins and auto burglaries.
In July, a 14-year-old student was shot by another teen at an Albuquerque park around 2 a.m.
New Mexico Democrats Face Pressure Over REAL ID Fix -
By Russell Contreras, Associated Press
The fate of a REAL ID fix in New Mexico is now in the hands of Senate Democrats.
A key Senate committee is scheduled Tuesday to hear proposals that would bring New Mexico into compliance with tougher identification requirements under the federal REAL ID Act.
But how Senate Democrats respond to the proposals will determine if they face a backlash if the driver's license problem isn't fixed.
A GOP plan would grant state driving privilege cards for immigrants — even those suspected of living in the country illegally. A Democrat version would create a "two tier" system.
The REAL ID Act requires proof of legal U.S. residency for those who want to use state identification to access certain areas of federal facilities. New Mexico has no such requirement and allows immigrants to get state driver's licenses regardless of legal status.
New Mexico Residents Embrace Online Voter Registration – Associated Press
New Mexico's online voter registration system has caught on quickly since its introduction a month ago, and especially with Democrats.
The New Mexico Secretary of State's Office says 2,867 registrations were completed through the new web portal in January.
Of those voter applications, about 56 percent registered as Democrats and 29 percent signed up as Republicans. Thirteen declined to name a party, and a small remainder selected the state's Independent, Libertarian, Green and Constitutional parties.
Statewide, Democrats account for 46 percent of registered voters, Republicans for 31 percent and nonaligned voters for 19 percent.
Online voter applications are checked by county clerks to confirm eligibility and ensure no duplication. Another 1,886 voters registered by mail in January.
At least 26 states offer online voter registration.
Democrats File Ethics Complaint Against New Mexico Lawmaker – Associated Press
The Democratic Party of New Mexico is taking aim at Rep. Nora Espinoza, accusing her of violating the governmental conduct code as she considers running for the secretary of state's office.
The party contends in a complaint filed Monday that the Roswell Republican should not have directed those interested in her campaign to her official legislative webpage.
Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland asked that the secretary of state's office to investigate.
Haaland pinned her complaint on comments Espinoza made during a recent radio interview.
Espinoza said late Monday she did nothing wrong by sharing her personal email address on the air and directing listeners to her legislative webpage if they needed to find it and get in touch with her.
She called the complaint by the Democrats misleading and specious.
New Mexico Lawmakers Shun Plan To Tap Permanent Fund – Associated Press
Republican lawmakers are spurning a proposal to tap New Mexico's largest permanent reserve fund to boost spending on early childhood education programs.
The proposed constitutional amendment to divert funds from the New Mexico Land Grant Permanent Fund was voted down Monday by the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee in a 6-5 party-line vote with Republican in opposition.
The latest version of the amendment from Democratic Reps. Javier Martinez and Antonio Maestas would set aside a 0.7 percent annual distribution from the Land Grant Permanent Fund.
Currently public schools, state universities and other beneficiaries receive a 5.5 percent annual distribution from the $14.5 billion fund. That drops to 5 percent starting in July.
The fund receives royalties from oil and natural gas production and other income from state lands.
Bail Bond Amendment Passes Senate Judiciary Committee – Associated Press
A proposed constitutional amendment to reform the state's bail bond system has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The amendment, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Peter Wirth, of Santa Fe, proposes allowing judges to deny bail to dangerous defendants and granting pretrial release to low-risk defendants who are being held because they are too poor to make bond.
The New Mexico Association of Counties says an assessment of jails shows 39 percent of inmates on average are eligible for bail but haven't posted bond.
Wirth's proposal has garnered bipartisan endorsements, but came under scrutiny during lengthy debate Monday.
Sen. Richard Martinez, an Española Democrat and committee chairman, questioned whether the amendment is needed while bail bondsmen said releasing low-level defendants without bail could carry unforeseen safety and financial costs.
The committee vote was 7-2.
Hospital Drama Returns To New Mexico For Third Season – Associated Press
NBC's hospital drama "The Night Shift" will be returning to New Mexico to film its third season.
The New Mexico Film Office made the announcement Monday.
Film Office Director Nick Maniatis says principal photography will be begin this month in Albuquerque and will continue through June.
The production is expected to employ about 130 local crew members and about 500 background talent per episode.
Set in San Antonio and filmed in Albuquerque, the drama stars Dublin-born Eoin Macken, who plays Dr. TC Callahan, and Freddy Rodriguez, who plays hospital leader Michael Ragosa, as they try to run a red-eye emergency room in a largely Mexican-American city.
It also stars Jill Flint, who plays Dr. Jordan Alexander, and Ken Leung, known for his roles in "Lost" and "The Sopranos."
Albuquerque Lawyer Acquitted For Shooting Homeless Man – Associated Press
An Albuquerque lawyer has been found not guilty after being accused of shooting a homeless man in the leg.
A Bernalillo County jury on Monday found David "Chip" Venie not guilty of assault, battery and tampering with evidence. The judge declared a mistrial in the first case because Venie did not follow court rules while representing himself.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors said there was no reason for Venie to shoot Stephen Biddinger, a homeless man who approached his office. Biddinger says the incident started because Venie made a disparaging remark to him.
In the 911 call, Venie says a man is trying to break into his office. He told the dispatcher he shot Biddinger after the man repeatedly ignored requests to leave.
The defense says was high on drugs at the time.
Senate Committee OKs Bill On Mexican Gray Wolf Release – Associated Press
An Arizona Senate committee has passed a measure requiring prior approval for the release of Mexican gray wolves into the wild.
Sen. Gail Griffin of Hereford sponsored the legislation requiring the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to approve any release of a Mexican gray wolf. The measure prevents release near state trust land or private property and requires a full DNA profile of each released wolf.
About 110 Mexican gray wolves roam a portion of Arizona and New Mexico nearly two decades after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released 11 wolves.
The Senate Natural Resources Committee passed Senate Bill 1243 on a 6-1 vote.
The Sierra Club's Arizona chapter opposed the measure saying the commission has previously blocked recovery efforts. A commission spokesman says it supports Mexican wolf recovery.