By Nicole Maxwell A state Senate bill seeks to stop a scheduled cannabis tax increase that would result in higher purchase prices, which advocates say would drive buyers to the illicit market. SB 89, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, seeks to end the statutorily scheduled cannabis excise tax rate increases in favor of keeping […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Westside Albuquerque
Bill Aims to Stop Libraries from Banning Books Based on Politics, Ideology
By Nicole Maxwell A bill aimed at protecting public libraries from politically charged book ban attempts is making its way through the Roundhouse. HB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, seeks to prohibit public libraries from getting state funding unless they adopt a policy prohibiting the removal of books […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature #nmleg, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Haaland Prepares For Gubernatorial Run
By Nicole Maxwell Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is expected to announce her run for governor in the coming weeks. In the interim, she appears to have begun the process for the run. While she has not made an official announcement, she has begun to assemble a campaign team headed by Scott Forrester, who most […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
ICE Confrontation in Ruidoso Rattles Mescalero Apache Tribe
By Nicole Maxwell Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents questioned a Mescalero Apache tribal member Wednesday and asked for a passport, according to Mescalero Apache President Thora Walsh-Padilla. Walsh-Padilla said in a statement that the incident was verified Thursday afternoon. “While this is the only incident we have been able to verify, Tribal leadership is actively working […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature #nmleg, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Heinrich Says He’s Staying Put in the Senate, Decided Against Run for Governor
By Nicole Maxwell U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced Friday morning that he decided against running for governor of New Mexico, opting to remain in the U.S. Senate. Heinrich was considering a run for governor after the Nov. 5 general election last year, when he won his third term in the Senate. “After careful consideration and […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Delegation has to choose, as inauguration, MLK Jr. holiday coincide
New Mexico congressional delegates are facing a bit of a scheduling conflict next week. The 47th presidential inauguration is set for Monday, Jan. 20, which also is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Both events are traditionally filled with politicos and lawmakers, but they don’t often happen on the same day. U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
New Mexico congressional delegation discuss election certification and the Capitol riots anniversary
In a flurry of competence seen infrequently on Capitol Hill in recent months, the electoral college votes of the 2024 presidential election were certified Monday during a joint session of congress with no concerns raised and no violence erupting. This makes President-elect Donald Trump’s election win official. Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance won 312 […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Sen. Brandt Wants Expanded Organized Crime Act
The recent human trafficking cases in Albuquerque are being handled by federal law enforcement due to New Mexico’s outdated racketeering law, according to one state legislator. Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, pre-filed a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding New Mexico’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. The bill seeks to expand the scope […]