New Mexico lawmakers say a proposal to change the way funding for dams, roadways and other infrastructure projects is allocated may not be approved because of a lack of time. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the measure, filed last week, would have to make its way through both legislative chambers in two weeks to make it to Governor Susana Martinez's desk before the 30-day session ends. Currently, lawmakers allocate a set amount of funding for capital outlay projects in each legislative district. Under the proposal, lawmakers would establish a planning council to prioritize projects before the Legislature approves an annual capital outlay bill. House Bill 307 is being heard this morning in the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs. The proposal has support in both the House and Senate.
New Mexico's Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to approve a six-point-three billion dollar budget that increases spending on Medicaid health care, early childhood education and prisons while cutting funding to state colleges and universities. The spending bill was rewritten over the past week after state economists slashed revenue expectations for the year starting in July by more than 200 million because of low crude oil prices and weaker-than-expected tax receipts. The general fund budget plan would increase spending by 81 million dollars, a little over one-percent over the current fiscal year. The majority of that money will come from raiding agency coffers and special reserves for spare cash.
A proposal to fund detox and substance abuse treatment centers for the homeless with money from the state's liquor excise tax is scheduled to go before the state Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee today. The proposal from Senator George Munoz, a Gallup Democrat, could appropriate about 40-thousand dollars’ every month to McKinley County if it passes. The allocations for substance abuse services for the homeless would begin in July. Gallup, which is part of McKinley County, has seen a high rate of hypothermia deaths linked to alcohol each year, and the city has struggled to keep open a detox center during the coldest month of the year to hold those on the streets deemed intoxicated.
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New Mexico has succeeded in a lengthy legal battled aimed at barring a horse slaughter operation from opening in the state. A state district judge in Santa Fe granted an order last week that finalizes a settlement reached with the attorney general's office, animal advocates, Valley Meat Company and other associated businesses. Valley Meat had sought to convert its cattle processing plant to the slaughtering of horses but the state filed a lawsuit in 2013 in hopes of stopped those plans. An attorney for Front Range Equine Rescue, Bruce Wagman, says that the order and previous rulings from the judge effectively end any chance of a horse slaughter operation opening in New Mexico. The last domestic horse slaughterhouses closed in 2007, a year after Congress initially withheld inspection funding.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny, with a high near 49. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Tuesday: Sunny and a bit warmer, with the high near 54.