New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich is a co-sponsor of a bill promoting the concept of “Net Neutrality,” which its proponents suggest would protect consumers and prevent a two-tiered Internet system. Heinrich, a Democrat, says the introduction of the legislation, the “Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act,” comes as the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, prepares to approve updated open Internet rules next month. *****011415-Heinrich-2 :39***** Heinrich says if we don’t maintain net neutrality, innovators and small businesses could potentially be priced-out of the market. He says it’s particularly important for New Mexico and the nuances of its business environment. *****011415-Heinrich-3 :42***** Heinrich says net neutrality is a popular concept, noting that nearly four-million Americans wrote to the FCC last year in support of a free and open Internet and against a two-tiered system.
Los Alamos County wants to end its contract with a small airline that recently grounded its planes. County officials announcing Tuesday that they have taken action to terminate the contract for service with New Mexico Airlines, giving the contractor 10 days' notice. The last day for flights under the contract will be January 23rd. Messages left with the airline were not immediately returned. County officials say New Mexico Airlines suspended service for two weeks in December and hasn't operated flights between Los Alamos and Albuquerque for the past week. County Manager Harry Burgess says a request for qualified contractors will go out within two weeks. He has directed airport staff to expedite the hiring process so flights can resume as soon as possible.
The New Mexico Supreme Court says it's not enough that a defendant hears in court that pleading guilty could result in deportation. The justices ruled Monday in case from Dona Ana County that a defendant was denied effective legal representation because his lawyer hadn't warned him beforehand about a guilty plea's immigration consequences. Cesar Favela pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and driving while under the influence. The plea's consequences were discussed in court before the judge accepted Favela's plea, but Favela later asked to be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. He said he hadn't understood the consequences. The Supreme Court said the warnings that Favela heard in court didn't make up for the ineffective legal representation that he received.
When Navajo Nation Council. Tribal lawmakers met in a special session Tuesday shortly after they were inaugurated, they voted to decide who will be the speaker pro tem. However, the vote ended in a tie between Kee Allen Begay and LoRenzo Bates. Lawmakers looked to one of their attorneys for advice, and he recommended a coin toss. Begay won and he will serve as head of the legislative branch until the council selects a permanent speaker at its winter session that starts January 26th. Bates had been filling in as speaker since April when former Speaker Johnny Naize (Nez) was placed on administrative leave months after he was charged in a criminal case. Naize later pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery and resigned.
The latest blast of winter weather to hit New Mexico has left roadways snow packed and icy.State transportation workers were out plowing and salting major roadways on Tuesday. Difficult driving conditions were reported from Taos south to Santa Fe and in parts of eastern New Mexico. Classes were cancelled for schools in the mountains east of Albuquerque and in Chama. In Santa Fe this morning, major roadways have been plowed and sanded, secondary streets are snowpacked and slick.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today with areas of freezing fog until 8am. Today’s high, 35. Tonight: Partly cloudy with the overnight low, 21. Tomorrow-Sunny with a high of 42.