Clik here to view.
Democrats shoot down Republican redistricting bill
House Republicans news conference, 9/22/11 Democrats are doubling down on their own House redistricting plan — even though it looks like Gov. Susana Martinez will veto it. On Thursday afternoon (Sept....
View ArticleClik here to view.
NM Democrats upset over elimination of straight-party voting
One day after hearing that Secretary of State Dianna Duran has decided to get rid of straight-party voting in the upcoming November elections, the reaction in the Roundhouse was predictable as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Barreras-Fajardo race draws attention from both parties in the Roundhouse
If Republicans are going to take the majority of the state House of Representatives for the first time in 59 years — and if Democrats are going to maintain their edge — seats like the one in House...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Abusing the Roundhouse’s reimbursement policy? Two lawmakers say they’ve seen it
Legislative Council committee hearing, 9/25/12 Recent stories of a couple Roundhouse legislators receiving questionable payments charged to state taxpayers sparked discussion on Tuesday (Sept. 25),...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The $7.9 million redistricting bill: The lawyers did very well, NM taxpayers...
Judge Jim Hall presides over redistricting hearing, Santa Fe, 12/5/11 They squabbled in the legislature. They squabbled with the governor’s office. They squabbled in court. And the state Supreme Court...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pension pratfall: PERA reports $1.2 billion increase in unfunded liabilities
The bad news for the state’s largest pension program — the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) — got worse on Tuesday (Oct. 23) when its executive director told members of a committee at the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“Give me your breath,” Ben Lujan remembered at memorial service
New Mexico Speaker of the House Ben Luján was remembered in speeches given by some of the most powerful politicians in the state at a memorial service Thursday morning (Dec. 27) in the rotunda of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“It’s up to me to decide if it’s public or not”– NM lawmakers challenge...
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE?: Some NM lawmakers say e-mails — even those sent on government sites — should be protected from open records requests. A committee hearing on a resolution determining how state...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Exemption for Legislature for e-mails heads to Senate
AN END RUN? The New Mexico House of Representatives passed a resolution carving out an exemption for legislators when it comes to e-mails on government accounts. Update 3/12: On Tuesday, the Senate...
View ArticleClik here to view.
NM session ends with last-second deal — Susana says she’ll sign it, no...
DOWN TO THE WIRE: At 11:52 a.m. a legislative expert (seated) discusses the details of a last-minute tax package that included provisions of an incentives bill for TV and film sponsored by Rep. Antonio...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Legislators frustrated as behavioral health controversy roils
AT LOGGERHEADS: The Legislative Finance Committee was drawn into the contentious debate over allegations of fraud in the NM behavioral health system. NM Watchdog photo. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Proposed constitutional amendments by Dems draw fire from GOP
By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – The 30-day legislative session has just started but already, battle lines are getting drawn between Democrats and Republicans. The issue? A slew of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
VIDEO: Resolution requiring a ‘super majority’ to change NM constitution
AMENDMENT MANIA: A New Mexico Senate Republican wants to make it harder to amend the state’s constitution. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – Saying, “changing the constitution is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dueling numbers over dipping into the Land Grant Permanent Fund
By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – One of the great debates in the 30-day legislative session is whether to dip into the Land Grant Permanent Fund to fund early childhood programs in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
NM House budget bills get stuck
DEMOCRATS NEEDED THEM: The absence of state Reps. Phillip Archuleta (left) and Ernest Chavez hurt Democrats in a crucial vote Friday. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – The impact of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
NM House budget bill goes back to committee … is a special session coming?
NOT SO SPECIAL: A stalled budget bill in the NM House of Representatives raises the possibility of a special session being called. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – Two dreaded words...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Budget deal reached in NM legislature, heads to governor
HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR: A $6.2 billion budget was passed by the New Mexico House of Representatives on Wednesday. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – After nearly a week of concern that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More last-minute Roundhouse drama: A lottery scholarship fix gets passed
WITH THREE MINUTES TO SPARE: Racing against a noon deadline, the New Mexico Legislature passed a last-minute bill aimed at fixing the financially ailing New Mexico Lottery Scholarship program on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Republican NM House leader Don Bratton retiring
BRATTON CALLS IT A CAREER: Minority Leader Don Bratton, R-Hobbs, is the ninth member of the New Mexico House of Representatives to announce retirement.By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE –...
View Article
