An Albuquerque ordinance meant to ban the sale of synthetic THC-lookalike products may have missed its mark, allowing semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 and THC-A to remain legal after amendments changed the bill’s scope. The City Council passed the amended “Intoxicating Hemp Products” ordinance June 2, aiming to close a legal loophole and protect kids from […]
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Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Albuquerque Council restores event funding, overrides two of Mayor Keller’s vetoes
Albuquerque city councilors overturned two of Mayor Tim Keller’s budget vetoes at the June 16 City Council meeting, restoring funding for events the mayor said raised legal and procurement concerns. Keller had vetoed four parts of the city’s $1.5 billion budget, saying the changes were needed to keep the budget legally sound and avoid picking […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
City Councilor Lewis qualifies for 2025 ballot and public financing
Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis has qualified for the 2025 ballot and public financing through the city’s Clean Elections program, doing so in just 10 days. As the 2025 City Council election begins, Lewis’s campaign said he is the first to qualify. He’s seeking his fourth term in District 5 and quickly met the 500 […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
City Council greenlights sawmill deal amid community pushback
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved a quarter-billion-dollar tax break at the June 16 City Council meeting for a three-part luxury development in the Sawmill District, despite public pushback over affordable housing, fair wages and developer accountability. The City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve industrial revenue bonds for three projects, a hotel, extended-stay suites […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Albuquerque holds Comcast accountable for months-long cable hazards
The City of Albuquerque said it is fining Comcast $500 a day for leaving exposed internet cables in Northeast Heights neighborhoods, calling the months-old hazards a safety risk. City officials say Comcast left cable and phone lines exposed at eight sites across Albuquerque — dangling from trees, stretched across driveways and taped along sidewalks. Neighbors […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Sawmill District set for major makeover with $227M tax break proposal
City of Albuquerque officials could approve a quarter-billion-dollar tax break for a luxury hotel, apartment and retail development in the Sawmill District near Old Town. The City Council is set to vote on a proposal backed by Mayor Tim Keller to issue $227.5 million in industrial revenue bonds to help fund three developments by Sawmill […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Mayor Keller vetoes four key items in Albuquerque’s $1.5B budget over legal, equity concerns
Mayor Tim Keller vetoed four parts of Albuquerque’s newly approved $1.5 billion budget, saying the changes are needed to stay within the law and treat nonprofits more fairly and setting up a potential council override fight. The mayor’s line‑item veto strikes funding for an independent permitting office, shuffles economic‑development dollars back to cultural partners and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Downtown Albuquerque Rail Trail construction starts June 16
Construction will begin Monday, June 16, on the Central Crossing Bridge at Central Avenue and First Street, part of the planned seven-mile Albuquerque Rail Trail that will affect downtown travel for nearly a year. The 10-month project will reshape a key downtown intersection, shifting bus routes, limiting vehicle turns and closing parts of the sidewalk […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Mayor’s rent plan fizzles in council committee
Mayor Tim Keller’s push for a local renters’ bill of rights hit a wall Wednesday as a City Council committee voted against advancing the plan without recommendation. The Albuquerque City Council’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee rejected Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn’s motion 3–2 to send the proposed Renters’ Bill of Rights to the full Council […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Mayor, City Council spar over paramedic staffing
A strife over paramedic staffing is testing the balance of power at the Albuquerque City Hall, which could reshape how the city responds to emergencies. At the center of the dispute is a City Council rule requiring two paramedics on every rescue unit — a move the Keller administration says hurts emergency response and crosses […]