The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday committing $5.75 million in public funds to launch a global business accelerator expected to create 1,200 high-paying jobs in Mesa del Sol. The ordinance authorizes the city to serve as fiscal agent for $5 million in state economic development funds and invest $750,000 in local resources […]
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Posted inLocal Government
Albuquerque renters have rights on paper but who’s enforcing them?
The City Council on Monday deferred a vote on a rental protections ordinance as officials pointed to an enforcement gap that leaves renters facing hidden fees despite state laws meant to cap them. The proposed Rental Practices Ordinance, O-25-102, would fold state tenant protections into the city’s Housing Code to give local enforcement real authority. […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Inside City Council’s budget transparency meltdown
Albuquerque’s push for more budget transparency collapsed Monday night as the City Council voted 1-8 against overriding Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of an ordinance that had passed 8-1 just three weeks earlier. The failed override leaves the city’s $1.5 billion budget process largely unchanged. The administration will not have to share detailed vacancy data, drop […]
Posted inLocal Government
Women now hold the majority of Albuquerque City Council seats as Peña takes presidency
A month after nearly losing her Albuquerque City Council seat, Klarissa Peña is back at the helm. The council elected Peña president in a 5-4 vote over Joaquín Baca. The same five councilors — Peña, Dan Champine, Renée Grout, Dan Lewis and outgoing President Brook Bassan — voted to install the new leadership. In separate […]
Posted inLocal Government
District 1’s new councilor is breaking from tradition before she even takes her first vote
Albuquerque’s newest city councilor is starting with a simple idea: setting up an office in the district she represents. Stephanie Telles, the new councilor for the city’s Westside District 1, said she asked for office space in her district to make herself more accessible to constituents who struggle to get downtown to City Hall. When […]
Posted inBernalillo County
Firefighters agreed to the Sheriff’s drug testing demands but still can’t fly
Sheriff John Allen said he removed Bernalillo County firefighters from the Metro Air Support Unit because they refused to meet his drug testing standards, but county records show firefighters agreed to those same standards in July and the sheriff still has not allowed them back on the unit. Allen quietly pulled firefighters from the helicopter […]
Posted inLocal Government
New female-majority council to pick president, consider veto override in first 2026 meeting
The Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to choose a new council president and vice-president at its first meeting of the year tonight, a day after Mayor Tim Keller’s historic third consecutive inauguration and swearing in five councilors, including one newcomer. Stephanie Telles, who won the December runoff in District 1, joins returning councilors Klarissa Peña […]
Posted inLocal Government
Cracked under pressure: Why does it take months for the City to fix cracks in your street?
Albuquerque’s streets are cracking under pressure — literally. The city faces a backlog of 1,000 crack sealing requests from residents across the Duke City, despite spending $1.4 million on contractors this year. At the Oct. 6 City Council meeting, Department of Municipal Development (DMD) Director Jennifer Turner said road repair requests have surged across all […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
What happens if the mayor’s election goes to a runoff? How much will it cost?
If Burque’s crowded mayoral race goes to a runoff election in December, the city has set aside $750,000 to cover the cost, though county officials warn costs will “significantly exceed” previous elections, potentially requiring City Council approval for additional funding. The Bernalillo County Clerk’s office has not set a final price tag for a possible […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ, Congress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Council to review Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities, new housing project on Monday
By Jesse Jones — Albuquerque City Councilors are expected to review Mayor Tim Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities Monday, Oct. 6, including public safety measures and housing policies the administration wants state lawmakers to address when the session begins in January. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Vincent E. Griego Chambers, One Civic Plaza […]