The special Legislative session called by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez gavels-open at noon today. The Governor is seeking final action on a 295-million dollar public works package and other proposals that died on the Legislature's last day. Martinez sent out a proclamation late Friday that calls for lawmakers to report to Santa Fe today in an attempt to pass a capital outlay bill. Also expected to be discussed are tax breaks and short-term funding to address shortfalls in the state court system and the Health Department. Lawmakers failed to pass the measures in March amid public bickering. It's unclear if lawmakers will take up proposals on mental health treatment reform and ride-booking services. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, a Democrat, says the session will hopefully only last a day.
New Mexico transportation officials say they don't have the funding to meet a deadline to install a federally-mandated safety upgrade to the Rail Runner commuter train line. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the state Department of Transportation says there is no plan to cover the 50- million cost for safety technology designed to prevent collisions and derailments. The Federal Railroad Administration is threatening to fine railroad owners who don't implement the technology before an end of the year deadline. The "positive train control" technology automatically slows trains that reach dangerous speeds through human error. It uses GPS and other devices to tell when trains are going too fast or making unauthorized movements. Congress first issued the deadline in 2008. State transportation officials say they need an extension.
Planned reforms of the Albuquerque police department will include randomly testing officers for steroids. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the city's human resources department announced Friday that the city would accept comment on the proposed steroid testing for two weeks. The city would start the testing 30 days after that. Albuquerque officers currently undergo random testing for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and opiates. The city will add more than 50 types of steroids to the list of drugs to be screened as part of a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department. The city recently signed an agreement with the DOJ to overhaul the police force amid allegations of excessive force. Police union representatives say they support testing for any illegal substances among officers.
Authorities say a former Dona Ana County employee has been arrested for allegedly falsifying her pay records to receive food stamp benefits. County sheriff's officials say 32-year-old Lorrie Munoz was the bureau of elections supervisor at the county clerk's office before resigning Thursday. She was arrested Friday and booked into jail on suspicion of making or permitting a false claim for reimbursement for public assistance services. Authorities say that Munoz allegedly used her computer at work to change her payroll records so that she could create documents that would make her eligible for food stamps every month in 2013. Sheriff's officials say Munoz is being held on a 15-thousand dollars’ cash bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center. It's unclear if she has an attorney yet.
Candidates seeking office in a Navajo election won't be able to proceed if they have an outstanding ethics violation. President Russell Begaye on Friday signed into law a resolution that prevents candidates with any outstanding ethics judgments, including orders of restitution, from running. The measure won unanimous approval from the Navajo Nation Council last month. According to the law, elected officials who are in violation can face disqualification from an election. Current tribal officials could be removed. Begaye says the measure shows the Navajo Nation that government officials will be held accountable. The Daily Times in Farmington says the tribe's Ethics and Rules office recently found more than 600-thousand dollars in unclaimed restitution from cases between 1997 and 2003.
A state industry group says New Mexico's ski resorts have seen a significant jump in the number of visitors in recent seasons. The New Mexican reports that Ski New Mexico has found a nearly 20-percent increase in skiers during the 2013-14 season. The nonprofit trade organization also found resorts gained nearly180-thousand more visits during this past season. It says this increase came along with a 98-million dollar boost in economic activity. The group's report calculated any skier visiting any of the state's 11 ski areas for all or part of a given day. Ski New Mexico has been working with state tourism officials to promote winter recreation. Now, most ski areas are turning their attention on how to draw more visitors during the summer.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with a 30-percent chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms, which could produce small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain. Today’s high, 81. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a continued 30-percent chance for showers, the overnight low down to 53. Tomorrow: Partly sunny, a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, tomorrow’s high, 79.