The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at regulating ride-booking companies such as Uber and Lyft. The National Conference of State Legislatures says the skyrocketing use of the services has captured the attention of lawmakers since it appears the popular companies are here to stay. New Mexico lawmakers waded into the regulatory space Thursday, voting 56-8 in favor of a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Democrat Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose. The legislation comes as the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission wrestles with how to respond to the smartphone-based services that connect people seeking rides with people who have cars. In February, commissioners decided to table a decision to allow Lyft to operate in the state.
Legislation that would enhance New Mexico's Sunshine Portal by requiring additional information on state contracts to be posted online has cleared the Senate. The chamber's vote Wednesday was unanimous. The bill now goes to the House for consideration as lawmakers enter the final stretch of the 60-day session. The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry has voiced support for the bill, which is sponsored by Republican Sen. Sander Rue of Albuquerque. Democrat Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos is co-sponsoring the bill in the House. Currently, state law requires only the recipient of a state contract, the purpose of the contract and the amounts expended to be posted. Under the legislation, the portal would include a copy or link to the actual contract and provide details about whether it was awarded to an out-of-state business.
Saying the “BRAC will be back,” Alamogordo Senator Bill Burt’s bill to streamline the state’s Military Base Planning Commission from 17 to 12 members recently received unanimous approval from the State Senate. “BRAC” stands for “Base Realignment and Closure.” And Burt, a Republican, says the New Mexico Commission to prevent closures has a record of success. *****031315-Burt-1 :36*****Burt’s bill ensures the commission is a “community based” organization. It does that by requiring that members are from counties adjoining the bases, as well as at-large members from other areas of the state. Burt expects a new round of base realignment and closure in 2017 or 2019. He says losing a base would have a tremendously negative impact, noting that he views the U-S Department of Defense in the State as a huge company or corporation. *****031315-Burt-3 :33***** Burt calls the D-O-D an “industry we can’t afford to lose” in New Mexico. He notes that in Alamogordo, Holloman Air Force Base’s impact to the local economy totals one-point-one million dollars. A day.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has clarified what penalties apply when a government agency or official wrongfully withholds public records. The ruling came Thursday in the case of an Albuquerque attorney who sued then-Attorney General Gary King on behalf of three female staff lawyers over allegations of pay discrimination. The attorney, David Faber, sought employment records from King's office for his case. King's office denied the request. The question before the Supreme Court was not whether King wrongfully denied the request, but rather what type of damages were authorized under the law. The law spells out a 100-dollars-a-day penalty penalty when a government agency fails to comply with deadlines for responding to a records request. King's office responded so the court said Faber would be able to seek only actual damages, costs and attorneys' fees since the records were wrongfully withheld.
The state agency that oversees the distribution of support services to low-income New Mexicans has a new leader. The Senate has unanimously confirmed Brent Earnest as the secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department to replace SidonieSquier, who resigned in November.
A fugitive living in Cuba wants decades-old charges accusing him of killing a New Mexico police officer dismissed on grounds that Gov. Susana Martinez has politicized the case. An attorney this week filed a motion on behalf of Charlie Hill, saying Hill could not get a fair trial in the 1971 killing of State Police Officer Robert Rosenbloom during a traffic stop.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today through tonight with scattered showers and thunderstorms also possible between one and seven-pm. …today’s high, 53, the overnight low tonight, 34. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with a slight chance for showers and a high of 57.