Morning Word: Lawmakers in Roundhouse Stalemate

Lawmakers still in stalemate at the Roundhouse

By Peter St. Cyr

It's

Friday the 13th, and if you're a little anxious this morning, you may suffer from triskaidekaphobia, or you could be a lawmaker at the center of an ethics complaint. Can gridlock end before the close of the 2015 Legislature? That, plus a look at news from around the state.

Good morning,

Christine Anderson, Spaceport America’s executive director, says Virgin Galactic is about 80 percent finished with construction on a second spaceship and could resume test flights in June. Anderson also says the southern access road to the site could begin moving forward soon. Read more at the Ruidoso News.  Public Lands Commissioner Aubrey Dunn traveled to Deming and Socorro this week to listen to public comments on the SunZia transmission line project he delayed for 60 days.

Read more at the Deming Headlight.  A new radio tower that some people call "ugly" isn’t going over well with residents in Corrales. See it at KRQE.  Ray Rivera, the editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican, got popped for drunk driving after wrecking his Mercedes SUV. Julie Ann Grimm has details at SFR.  A judge will decide by the end of the month if Second Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg can continue to prosecute murder charges against two Albuquerque police officers or if she should be removed from the case due to perceived conflicts of interest. Investigative producer Jeff Proctor has more.  Computer chip maker Intel is lowering its first quarter revenue forecast almost a billion dollars. Company officials cited Europe’s sluggish economy and a weak demand for desktop systems.

Read more at the ABQ Free Press.  The New Mexico Supreme Court has issued a ruling that will make it harder for the public to collect damages from public record disputes with local and state government agencies.

Joey Peters has expert analysis on the justices' decision.  The Tour of the Gila is set to roll after the bicycle race promoters found some new sponsors.

The 600-bike race starts on April 29. Read more at the Silver City Sun-News.  The Roswell Independent School District is going to be auctioning off furniture and a few maintenance vehicles to raise money for its general fund. See more at KOB.  Middle school students got to study civics, government and television when a big red C-Span bus visited their school in Las Cruces on Thursday. Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News.  New Mexico Legislative News:

  • Split political control of the Roundhouse has left many bills in limbo –
  • KOB
  • . 
  • In fact, lawmakers remain divided on key education reforms supported by Gov. Susana Martinez –
  • ABQ Journal
  • . 
  • Word inside the Roundhouse is that Senators may move to discipline a member later today for ethics violations – Stay tuned to SFR today for breaking political news. 
  • A two-tier drivers license bill cleared the Senate Public Affairs Committee late Thursday –
  • Milan Simonich
  • . 
  • A measure to end rapists’ parental rights has passed the House –
  • Las Cruces Sun-News
  • . 
  • A measure that strips local communities' ability to control oil and gas operations is headed to the Senate –
  • Gwyneth Doland
  • . 
  • Matthew Chandler’s appointment to become a UNM Regent is still in the hands of the Senate Rules Committee –
  • Santa Fe New Mexican.
  •  
  • Uber’s riding sharing service is one step closer to being regulated in New Mexico –
  • ABQ Journal.
  •  

Have a great weekend.

Santa Fe Reporter

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