New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez says President Barack Obama's call for stricter gun control only "politicizes tragedy" after the San Bernardino, California, shooting. The Republican and nation's only Latina governor said Monday in Albuquerque that Obama's call to ban those on the federal "no-fly" list from purchasing firearms would have done nothing to stop the shooting. She says such gun control measures would only take firearms from Americans. Martinez says some Americans also appear on the federal "no-fly" list by mistake. Martinez, a rising star in the GOP and a gun owner, says Obama's address to the nation on Sunday night gave "no solutions, nothing new whatsoever" to fighting terrorism. The president's speech followed Wednesday's shooting in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people and wounded 21.
New Mexico’s state revenues are taking a downward tack. The state’s top finance officials outlined the latest projections during the Legislative Finance Committee's meeting Monday at the State Capitol. They told the budget panel that declining revenues from oil and gas production have been offset by slow but stable growth in the state economy. But the financial experts say New Mexico is still on track to have less revenue than expected by the end of the current fiscal year. They say projections for new money for fiscal year 2017 has been trimmed to 232 million- dollars. State Finance and Administration Secretary Tom Clifford says revenues could be bolstered by increases in federal spending and lower retail gasoline rates could result in more spending by consumers.
Santa Fe’s Railyard District is having a tough time. Earlier this year a restaurant there closed its doors, and then last week the non-profit that manages the District for the City announced it will be seeking its second rent deferral. Now, KSFR’s Alan Dee has uncovered more bad news.
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Santa Fe County will be getting a new logo soon. County communications director Kristine Mihelcic says an internal panel is currently reviewing 11 proposals from both in-state and out-of-state firms to develop a replacement for the current logo that features a covered wagon, an adobe building and pottery. *****120815-Mihelcic-2 :27***** Mihelcic says the County has budgeted between 90-thousand and 125-grand for the new logo and its implementation. She’s hopeful the new logo will be out by next July.
A former Navajo Nation interim chairman who oversaw the tribe during one of its most tumultuous times has died. Services are scheduled tomorrow for Leonard Haskie. His daughter, Lenore Haskie, says he died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 71. Tribal lawmakers elected Haskie to serve as interim chairman in 1989 after then-Chairman Peter MacDonald was put on leave over a corruption scandal. MacDonald's supporters tried to overthrow the government months later, leading to a deadly riot. The tribe restructured its government, creating a presidency to avoid a concentration of power. Haskie ran for tribal president in 1990 but lost. He went on to work for a New Mexico school district for two decades where he advocated for funding for new buildings.
A New Mexico state representative plans to take an unpaid leave of absence from his work as a Bernalillo County attorney while serving in Santa Fe during the upcoming legislative session. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the requirement for unpaid leave is written into Representative Ken Martinez' contract with the county. The Grants Democrat says he volunteered to take leave without pay to avoid any controversy. Bernalillo County commissioners are set to consider the two-year agreement Tuesday. Martinez would take over as county attorney later this month. A 30-day legislative session begins in January. Martinez has said he won't run for re-election after his term expires at the end of next year. He has served in the Legislature for 17 years and is a former speaker of the House.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow with highs in the low to mid 50s. Tonight: Mostly clear with the overnight low down to 30.