Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill today designed to end New Mexico’s involvement in federal civil immigration detention. House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, prohibits public bodies from entering into, renewing or extending agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. The bill also bars public bodies from selling or leasing public […]
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Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Legislature #nmleg, NM Political Report
Gov set to sign bill closing ICE facilities in New Mexico
New Mexico is set to end its involvement in federal civil immigration detention following final Senate passage of the Immigrant Safety Act on Feb. 2. The legislation, House Bill 9, creates a “bright line” between state and local resources and federal immigration enforcement, potentially forcing the closure of three detention facilities that collectively hold more […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature #nmleg
Governor expected to sign bill that would ‘cut red tape’ and address New Mexico physician shortage
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is set to sign legislation that would allow out-of-state doctors to help fill New Mexico’s physician shortage by joining an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Following a unanimous House vote Tuesday approving the Senate bill, the governor’s office says Lujan Grisham intends to sign the bill into law Thursday morning. The compact […]
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A seat to spark change: Albuquerque’s tribute to Rosa Parks on her birthday
Albuquerque will honor civil rights icon Rosa Parks on Wednesday, Feb. 4, with bus tributes and school presentations marking Transit Equity Day and what would have been Parks’ birthday. The city’s transit agency will place Rosa Parks seat tributes on all Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses operating Routes 766 and 777 on Feb. 4. Officials are […]
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Why Albuquerque can’t agree on short-term rentals, even as illegal listings grow
The Albuquerque City Council rejected a proposal Monday night to limit short-term rentals, marking the third time in three years a version of the policy has failed. The 5-4 vote defeated Ordinance O-26-5, which would have required 100-foot buffer zones between rental properties. The measure failed despite last-minute changes to narrow the scope and delay […]
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Short Agenda, big decisions: ABQ Council to weigh rentals, Q&A and budget report
The Albuquerque City Council meets at 5 p.m. Mon. with a short agenda that includes final votes on two key ordinances: one affecting short-term rentals and another on how councilors question Mayor Tim Keller’s administration. The meeting also includes a report on first-quarter finances, which shows revenues $5.1 million above projections. The proposed short-term rental […]
Posted inNM Political Report
Vasquez joins Trump in push to limit Wall Street home buys
In a rare moment of bipartisan overlap, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., and President Donald Trump have both advanced similar proposals aimed at curbing Wall Street’s role in the single-family housing market. On Jan. 20, Trump issued his executive order, “Stopping Wall Street from Competing with Main Street Homebuyers.” One week later, Vasquez announced his […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature #nmleg
Democrats surprise with amendment to exempt doctors, but not hospitals, from punitive lawsuit damages
Addressing concerns that New Mexico’s unlimited cap on punitive damages deters doctors from practicing in the state, Democrats in a key House committee pushed through a surprise compromise, of sorts, on Friday morning. House Bill 99 emerged from the House Health and Human Services Committee with a cap on punitive damages for malpractice claims against […]
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BernCo pushes $110 million compromise for $35 million PNM vs neighborhood substation fight
Bernalillo County commissioners unanimously delayed a decision Tuesday on a proposed $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation, directing the utility to study burying transmission lines, with cost estimates reaching up to $110 million. The commission voted to continue the case for 120 days and ordered three analyses: the cost of underground […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature #nmleg, NM Political Report
Democrats advance assault weapons ban through State Senate
Democrats advanced an assault weapons ban through its first legislative committee last night over the objections of Republicans, gun dealers and 2nd Amendment advocates concerned it would ban some of the most popular firearms sold and transferred in New Mexico today. “This bill represents perhaps the worst mockery of the Second Amendment in state history,” […]