The fate of a proposed six-point-two-billion dollar spending plan that would fund public schools and other government services during the next fiscal year is still unsettled as the New Mexico Legislature approaches adjournment. Also pending is approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in capital outlay projects and a gambling compact that would clear the way for a handful of American Indian tribes to keep their casinos open. The 60-day session wraps up Saturday. And Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez says in the final stretch he expects what he terms “some very hard negotiating” is ahead. *****031915-Sanchez-1 :20***** But Sanchez notes that this session—the first in decades in New Mexico with a Republican majority in the House along with the Democratic-controlled Senate—there’s been, quoting, “tough legislation.” *****031915-Sanchez-4 :33***** Sanchez says the Senate has slowed and tried to kill legislation he favors by using the committee process. But Democrats in the Senate are questioning why the House is stalling on the budget and the gambling compact. Sanchez has seen this before, having served as a State Representative prior to his being elected to the Lieutenant Governor’s post in 2010 with Governor Susana Martinez. *****031915-Sanchez-5 :16***** New Mexico Lieutenant Governor, John Sanchez. We’ll hear from Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez at this time tomorrow.
Bernalillo County has nominated a Democratic commissioner from Santa Fe County to fill a vacant state Senate seat. Bernalillo County commissioners said Wednesday their choice of Liz Stefanics will be forwarded to the governor, who will make a final decision after receiving nominations from five other counties covered by Senate District 39. Republican Governor Martinez is awaiting nominations from Santa Fe, San Miguel and Valencia counties. Lincoln and Torrance counties submitted the names of two Republican nominees on Sunday. The vacancy is the result of the abrupt resignation of Democratic Senator Phil Griego over an ethics violation that stemmed from his role in the sale of a state-owned building in Santa Fe. Martinez had wanted to name a replacement before the end of the legislative session on Saturday.
The New Mexico Senate has passed a measure that would limit the use of warrant-less drones by law enforcement agencies. The billed passed by a 38-0 vote on Wednesday and comes as police and sheriffs' agencies across the country test the new drones. Agencies also are trying to develop policies on how and when they can use them for police work. State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino, an Albuquerque Democrat, and Representative Paul Pacheco (puh-cheek-oh), an Albuquerque Republican, sponsored the measure. It would prevent material collected without a warrant from being used in court and would allow people targeted by drones to seek civil action. The measure would not prohibit the use of a drone when "swift action is necessary to prevent imminent danger to life."
A New Mexico District Court judge has upheld the state's closed primary system against a challenge from an independent voter. State District Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd said in the ruling issued Wednesday that the state legislature had not exceeded its authority when it set up the process. Currently, only Republicans and Democrats can vote in primary elections — something critics say contributes to low voter turnout. Albuquerque resident David Crum sought to allow people the right to pick a party on the day of the primary so they can vote.
Turnout dropped to eight- percent in the state's June primary election, with only one in five Democratic and Republican voters casting ballots. Crum's attorney, Ed Hollington, says he plans to appeal the case all the way to the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Santa Fe Weather: Scattered showers and possibly some thunderstorms today with the high reaching 54. The chance of precipitation is 80-percent today. Tonight: Rain showers turning to snow showers after midnight, the low 35. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with isolated showers and thunderstorms, tomorrow’s high, 52.