More shake-up in New Mexico’s legislative leadership following last week’s election that saw Republicans take a majority in the House of Representatives for the first time in 60-years-- Speaker of the House Ken Martinez has announced he won’t seek the chamber’s minority leader post. The Grants Democrat making the announcement in an email Tuesday, saying he believes the time has come to pass the job to the next generation. The open Democratic leadership post already has the interest of Santa Fe Representative Brian Egolf and Representative Eliseo Alcon of Milan, although others may seek it. A Democratic caucus vote to fill the vacancy is expected before Thanksgiving. House Republicans recently selected Socorro Representative Don Tripp to take the Speaker post—a vote to confirm Tripp will occur early on in the 2015 legislative session.
The television advertising price tag for New Mexico’s race for Governor, U-S Senate and other statewide offices? – 13-million dollars. That word from the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity based in Washington, D.C. The watchdog group says the governor’s race accounted for the largest share of the ads, at more than six-million dollars. New Mexico pollster Brian Sanderoff says—quote--“Martinez’s TV ads against Gary King prevented him from ever gaining momentum in this campaign. The candidate who spends more money on TV has a tremendous advantage although it’s no guarantee of victory.” Unofficial returns indicate Martinez won a second term with about 57-percent of the vote to 43 percent for King.
Despite the Santa Fe City Council decriminalization vote in August, 40-percent of those arrested for marijuana possession since have been cited under the much tougher state law. That according to the New Mexican. Santa Fe Police Department spokeswoman Celina Espinoza says possession of small amounts of pot continues to be the lowest law enforcement priority for police. City Councilor SigneLindell says that’s what the Council desired when it approved the measure.
Santa Fe County authorities say a 20-year-old man is sought in the killings of a couple found fatally shot in a car last month. The Sheriff's Office says an arrest warrant accuses Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez of two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of 18-year-old Venancio Cisneros and 13-year-old AnamarieOjeda. Martinez is described as 5-foot-7 and having brown eyes, brown hair and numerous tattoos on his right arm and neck. The Sheriff's Office says Martinez is considered armed and dangerous.
Another one of Governor Susana Martinez’s cabinet members is leaving. Department of Veterans Services Secretary Tim Hale is stepping down. He says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family and working as a pilot. Martinez has already appointed retired Brigadier General Jack Fox as his successor. Fox has served in the U.S. Army and the New Mexico National Guard. Hall is the second cabinet secretary in Martinez’s administration to step down since she won re-election. Human Services Secretary SidonieSquier announced her impending departure from the Governor’s Cabinet last week.
New Mexico's top water management agencies will soon launch a revamped website that officials hope will be easier to navigate and provide better access to water data. A spokeswoman for the Office of the State Engineer and the Interstate Stream Commission says the launch is expected next Monday. There will be information on the website about water rights, well drilling, settlements, conservation and more. There will also be a link to a database that includes individual water rights files within New Mexico
Albuquerque officials have signed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department aimed at overhauling the city's troubled police department. During a signing ceremony Monday, Mayor Richard Berry and Police Chief Gorden Eden formally entered into a deal that calls for new training and protocols for investigating officer shootings. It also calls for the agency to dismantle some troubled units. A federal monitor will be chosen to keep tabs on whether the department is following the agreement. City councilors voted unanimously last week to approve the broad-ranging blueprint. Some advocates say the agreement doesn't go far enough at reforming an agency under scrutiny for excessive force and more than 40 police shootings since 2010. The agreement now goes before a federal judge for final approval.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today with the high 42 and a slight chance for snow showers. Tonight: Cloudy with a 20-percent chance of snow with the overnight low, 22. Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy and cooler with the high only 41 with a 20-percent chance for snow before 11am.