A BILL THAT WOULD “UP” THE TAX ON CIGARETTES BY A DOLLAR-50 IS APPROVED BY THE STATE SENATE ON A 24-16 VOTE YESTERDAY (WED). THE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HOWIE MORALES, WHO TELLS US THE REVENUE FROM THE TAX … ABOUT 89 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR … WOULD GO TO PUBLIC…… MORE
Governor Vetoes Another Hemp Bill
ON THE SAME DAY IT WAS GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL IN THE LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR MARTINEZ HAS VETOED A BILL ALLOWING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN NEW MEXICO. MARTINEZ ALSO VETOED A HEMP BILL IN 2015…BUT THIS TIME SOME CHANGES HAD BEEN MADE THAT SUPPORTERS THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR WOULD ACCEPT…BUT THAT WAS…… MORE
NM Congressman Questions Health Plan
NEW MEXICO’S ONLY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, STEVE PEARCE, HAS SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH CARE PLAN FROM HIS COLLEAGUES. IN A STATEMENT, PEARCE SAYS THE PLAN “CONTINUES MANY OF THE MANDATES” THAT, HE SAYS, HAVE DRIVEN PRICES UP. HE’S ALSO QUESTIONs “ITS AFFORDABILITY FOR CONSUMERS AND ITS ABILITY TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW.”…… MORE
Murder Probe Ends With Three Arrests
A SIX MONTH INVESTIGATION LEADS TO THE ARRESTS OF THREE MEN WANTED FOR MURDER IN ALBUQUERQUE. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED AS 24 YEAR OLD EDER THOMAS ORTIZ-PARRA, 25 YEAR OLD RAFAEL GONZALEZ-PARRA AND 26 YEAR OLD EDWIN EDSEL ORTIZ-PARRA. OFFICER FRED DURAN SAYS INVESTIGATORS GOT SOME OUTSIDE HELP ON THIS CASE. PEOPLE…… MORE
Suspected Heroin Dealer Pleads Guilty
A MEXICAN NATIONAL FACES UP TO 17 AND HALF YEARS IN PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT IN ALBUQUERQUE IN A CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE HEROIN THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE USER. THE U-S ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAYS 39 YEAR OLD ROSENDO FLORES ANGULO WILL BE DEPORTED AFTER SERVING HIS SENTENCE. …… MORE
Warmer Than February?
IF YOU THOUGHT FEBRUARY WAS WARMER THAN NORMAL IN ALBUQUERQUE, YOU’RE RIGHT. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGIST ANDY CHURCH TELLS NEWSRADIO KKOB THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT FIVE DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL. THAT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE MUCH, BUT CHURCH SAYS IT’S SIGNIFICANT. HE SAYS WHEN YOU START PUSHING FIVE DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL, THAT’S EXTRAORDINARY.…… MORE
Cigarette Tax Bill Heading to Senate Floor
A BILL THAT WOULD “UP” THE TAX ON CIGARETTES BY A DOLLAR-50 SQUEAKS THROUGH THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE LATE TUESDAY. IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FLOOR. THE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HOWIE MORALES. MORALES TELLS US THE REVENUE FROM THE TAX … ABOUT 89 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR…… MORE
Governor Could Call Special Session
THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS MARCH 18TH…BUT WILL IT GO INTO OVERTIME? GOVERNOR MARTINEZ IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THIS YEAR’S SESSION IS GOING. IN FACT, SHE TELLS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT UNLESS LAWMAKERS STOP FOCUSING ON WHAT SHE CALLS “MEANINGLESS BILLS”, LIKE ESTABLISHING A STATE DANCE, SHE MAY HAVE TO…… MORE
NM Senate Approves Enhanced Brianna’s Bill
A BILL TO EXPAND BABY BRIANNA’S LAW IN NEW MEXICO IS HEADED TO THE STATE SENATE. AS IT IS NOW, ANYONE WHO IS CONVICTED OF INTENTIONAL CHILD ABUSE RESULTING IN DEATH CAN RECEIVE A LIFE SENTENCE, BUT ONLY IF THE VICTIM IS UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE. HOUSE BILL 45 REMOVES THAT AGE…… MORE
NM Rape Kits Bill Passes in State Senate
STATE AUDITOR TIM KELLER SAYS NEW MEXICO HAS THE WORST PER-CAPITA BACKLOG OF UNTESTED RAPE EVIDENCE KITS IN THE COUNTRY. NOW, THE STATE SENATE HAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A BILL TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. THE MEASURE, SPONSORED BY DEMOCRAT MIMI STEWART OF ALBUQUERQUE, WOULD FORCE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO SUBMIT THE…… MORE
