Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety

Real work, real progress

Mayor Tim Keller told Albuquerque business leaders that the city is finally making real progress on crime, homelessness and downtown revitalization after years of effort. Speaking at the Embassy Suites by Hilton during the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s annual mayoral address June 17, Keller said long-term investments and partnerships are starting to pay off. […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government

Albuquerque City Council appoints new inspector general and Ethics Board members

By Abby McDonald The Albuquerque City Council met last Monday night to appoint a new inspector general and two new members of the Ethics Board.  The position of the inspector general, previously held by Melissa Santistevan, was put on leave for her final remaining months after finding out that nine reports were not made public. […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News

Sen. Heinrich warns of public land sales in New Mexico under Republican reconciliation bill

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member on the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has issued a warning about the potential sale of public lands in New Mexico if the Republican reconciliation package becomes law.  According to Heinrich, the bill mandates the sale of two to three million acres of public land nationwide, including […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

U.S. Senators warn 15 New Mexico hospitals likely to close if ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ cuts become law

U.S. Senators responsible for reviewing the impact of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” say Medicaid cuts in the House proposal and further cuts proposed this week by Senate Republican leaders could force over 300 rural hospitals, including 15 in New Mexico, to close. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the leading Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, and […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government

Hemp haze clouds the council’s crackdown

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 […]

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., Opinion & Analysis

Coming Together to Address Our Housing Crisis, BernCo Builds Communities

Barbara Baca is a Bernalillo County Commissioner It is inspiring to see what is possible when we work together as a community to address our biggest challenges.  As Bernalillo County residents and as Americans there is nothing we cannot overcome if we truly believe we are all in it together.    For the state’s most populous […]