Staff report As the federal Real ID Act went into effect this week, concerns regarding privacy, discrimination and confusion have surfaced, particularly within immigrant communities, according to a press release from Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a New Mexico organization that “is actively working to protect the rights and dignity of undocumented immigrants in the face […]
Government
Council to review Keller’s budget proposal
By Rodd Cayton The public is invited again Thursday to give input on Albuquerque’s fiscal year 2026 budget. Mayor Tim Keller last month proposed a $1.5 billion spending plan, which City Councilors are now reviewing. Meeting as the Committee of the Whole, all nine councilors will take public input regarding the budget and capital improvements […]
Sen. Block reflects on key legislative victories, plans for future bills
By Jesse Jones Republican Sen. Jay Block of Rio Rancho, who represents Senate District 12, returned to familiar ground in April, giving Sandoval County commissioners a rundown of legislative wins and losses from the 60-day session. The freshman senator sponsored 37 bills during his first session, which included major wins like a $1 billion behavioral […]
Library advocates want budget increase
By Rodd Cayton Public library advocates Monday went to bat again for their cause, urging the Albuquerque City Council to boost it as the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget takes shape. Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget includes about $16.54 million for libraries, which is down about $49,000 from fiscal year 2025. Janet Saiers, who sits […]
New Mexico Senator wins inaugural Kamala Harris Trailblazer Award
By Kevin Hendricks It was a night of firsts at Emerge America’s 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco on April 30, as former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to the national spotlight and New Mexico Senator Cindy Nava was honored as a “trailblazing alum” of the political organization. In her first public speech since leaving […]
Vasquez, Zinke launch public lands caucus amid push to sell off parcels
By Hannah Grover U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez, a New Mexico Democrat, and Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana, launched a new effort known as the Public Lands Caucus on Wednesday. This effort comes on the heels of the House Natural Resources Committee adopting amendments Tuesday evening to the budget bill that would lead to the […]
City Council approves behavioral health voucher database
By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors Monday approved a contract to produce a database aimed at simplifying access to addiction treatment and support services. Contractor Real Time Solutions will be paid $300,000 for creating the database, designed to help administer vouchers for the Providing Addiction Treatment and Healing (PATH) program. City officials say the Albuquerque-based […]
Lawmakers deliver legislative update as Corrales grapples with tax hikes, water fears
By Jesse Jones Soaring property tax valuations and shrinking water access have Corraleños on edge, turning the village into a vivid example of how state policies hit home. At an April 19 town hall, Rep. Kathleen Cates of Rio Rancho and Sen. Cindy Nava of Bernalillo met with Corrales residents to explain how recent legislation […]
Tijeras celebrates grand opening of Pocket Park
By Andrea Vasquez The Village of Tijeras officially unveiled its new Pocket Park with a grand opening celebration on May 3. The event featured remarks from Mayor Jake Bruton, music by local band Tripple-X and a heartfelt gesture as children, or “little villagers,” placed their handprints on the well house, as a tribute to the […]
Leger Fernandez joins Democratic leaders for Town Hall in Coachella Valley
Staff report Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) took the stage in the Coachella Valley this weekend to join a community town hall hosted by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. The town hall brought together local leaders, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Steering and […]