Posted inAlbuquerque, City Desk ABQ, Local Government

Council kills controversial tax hike after floor amendments slash rate

By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — Albuquerque city workers filled the City Council chambers hoping a new tax would fund long-awaited raises, but they left empty-handed. Councilors voted 8-1 Monday night to kill a proposed gross receipts tax increase before the state deadline, shelving a plan meant to fund community projects and […]

Posted inAlbuquerque

Consultants send “preferred plan” keeping State Fair, adding stadium to Fairgrounds board

By Jesse Jones and Pat Davis, City Desk in The Paper. — Consultants tasked with recommending options for redevelopment of the State Fairgrounds will recommend a $240 million multi-year master plan to serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization on and off-site, City Desk has learned.  The plan presented in a public meeting Friday evening […]

Posted inElections & Politics

Whatever happened to Daniel Chavez, mayoral candidate charged with touching staffer?

By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — In September, City Desk reported that prosecutors charged Albuquerque mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez after a campaign staffer accused him of inappropriate touching, a misdemeanor battery charge. Prosecutors have now dismissed the case.  The 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case on Feb. 20, 2026, in […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, City Desk ABQ, Local Government

Commissioner’s claims that Gov has secret plan to move NM United stadium to fairgrounds fizzles under fact-check

By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — Bernalillo County Commission Chair Adriann Barboa sent an early morning call to the community Wednesday for a press conference at the Expo New Mexico entrance that was long on rumors and short on facts. During the briefing, Barboa claimed that “people who represent the governor and […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, City Desk ABQ, Local Government

City councilor seeks to make mayor, councilors liable for blocking ICE arrests in Albuquerque

A day after a trio of city councilors joined dozens of community advocates and state legislators in support of new city legislation to frustrate federal immigration enforcement efforts in Albuquerque, another councilor says he’ll try to amend the bill to make them liable for the consequences. In Feb., City Desk reported that some city councilors […]

Posted inBernalillo County, City Desk ABQ, Elections & Politics

Former sheriff will file to run against BernCo sheriff John Allen in Dem primary

A 27-year law enforcement veteran will file to run against Bernalillo County John Allen in the June 2nd Democratic primary election, City Desk has learned. Phil Snedeker tells City Desk he will file qualifying paperwork and signatures Tuesday morning on local filing day. He has served in the criminal justice system for 47 years, according […]

Posted inAlbuquerque

Who’s behind the city’s public records backlog? Hint: It’s not New Mexicans

Imagine waiting in line for public records at the Office of the City Clerk, only to find most of the requests ahead of you come from out-of-state data scrapers or suspected artificial intelligence bots overseas. Inside the city clerk’s office, that’s the reality. Record requests keep climbing, driven by out-of-state and overseas requests that strain […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, City Desk ABQ, Local Government

Council eyes new African American board, aims to quell fire rescue staffing conflict

By Jesse Jones — Tonight, the Albuquerque City Council will consider a new African American Advisory Board and a measure revising staffing rules for Albuquerque Fire Rescue. Sponsored by Councilor Nichole Rogers, ordinance O-26-11 would create an African American Advisory Board to advise the mayor on issues affecting African Americans. The board would focus on economic mobility, […]