New Mexico and Washington no longer will be the only states offering drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. The governors of Oregon and Maryland have just signed bills making the licenses available in their states. Lawmakers in Colorado approved a similar measure a few days ago. Other states considering such a law are Connecticut and Rhode Island, in addition to Washington D.C.
On Friday's midday report: Sen. Tom Udall says he’s on a quest to change New Mexico’s high school graduation rate. He calls it unacceptably low…We’ll be joined by Congressman Ben Ray Lujan who says pretty titles on legislation could actually mean the opposition of what they say…And the biggest healthcare insurer in New Mexico is gearing up to tell people about the new federal affordable care act…headlines...60 Seconds with Christopher Hagen...
New Mexico stands to lose as much as $25 million a year in mineral royalties unless Sen. Tom Udall is successful in stopping it. He's introducing legislation that would remove that budget item from the sequester cuts. The royalties typically are shared by the federal government with states where there's oil and gas development on federal land. After Wyoming, New Mexico gets the most mineral royalties in the country.
On Thursday's midday report: City Councilor Patti Bushee has tossed her hat in the ring for mayor of Santa Fe. We'll re-visit our conversation with her to find out what's on her miind...City councilors have approved a balanced budget for next year in the face of declining revenues. How will they tackle the following year?...Santa Fe police have introduced new models in their fleet of patrol vehicles, including cars with sirens that rumble while wailing….headlines...60 Seconds with Christopher Hagen...
In the face of lower revenue projections, Santa Fe city councilors have approved a budget of about $320 million for the coming fiscal year. The vote came after City Manager Robert Romero described the steps budget planners went through in examining virtually every aspect of operations at city hall. *** In addition to not cutting actual jobs, the city has stepped up its spending on employee retirement and health insurance.
After local news, a talk with city councilor Rebecca Wurzburger about tomorrow's tourism expo. AG Gary King talks about assistance for distressed homeowners facing foreclosure. And Mayor David coss offers some comments on his time in office.
Another departure has been announced at Santa Fe city hall. City Manager Robert Romero says he plans to retire from his $128,000-a-year job. His announcement comes just days after Mayor David Coss said he would not seek a third term in office. Romero has been with city government for 13 years. The mayor says he believes Romero will stay on the job until the March 2014 city elections.
On Tuesday's midday report: When Telemedicine legislation takes effect next month, what's in store for rural New Mexico?...UNM hospital offers a new type of surgery for some types of cancer...Sen. Tom Udall says LANL to get cleanup funds and he feels stymied by others' opposition to close Guantanamo...headlines...60 Seconds with Christopher Hagen...
Former Española Mayor Joseph Maestas says he's considering a run for mayor of Santa Fe next year. David Coss recently announced he will not seek a 3rd term. The Santa Fe native noted that when both he and Coss were elected to their respective offices in 2006, they collaborated on immigration reform, regional economic development, and drug interdiction issues.
On Monday's midday report: We talk with a UNM psychiatry professor about the surprising increase in suicides among the 35-64 year old age group...Letter carriers will be collecting food for the Food Depot at your house this weekend...A look at National Weather Service computer models and why they're so often wrong...headlines...60 Seconds with Christopher Hagen...
