Morning Word: Lobbyist Spending Way Up

M

oney makes the world go round, and this year, lobbyists are spending a lot to keep it spinning in Santa Fe. That, plus what's in a rule? Environmentalists want the State Supreme Court justices to take another look at copper mining water discharge rules. Let's get going. Here's your morning news roundup.

It's Tuesday, May 12, 2015

New Mexico In Depth has been doing an exemplary job tracking money in New Mexico politics all year; it has released a new report that shows lobbyists spent more than half a million dollars in the first four months of the year. Sandra Fish has the numbers.  Teacher attendance is up, and education department officials say it’s probably due to the new job evaluation system. Read it at the Las Vegas Optic.  Positive Energy, a Santa Fe-based solar energy company already ranked top in the state, is also picking up national accolades.

Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Forest officials won’t be putting out every puff of smoke or natural fire. Instead of spending big bucks for controlled burns, they’ll use natural wildfires to help them manage the forests’ ecosystems. Read it at the Taos News.  With thousands of construction project jobs at stake, lawmakers say they’re disappointed they still don’t have a capital outlay deal in place. Stuart Dyson reports at KOB.com.  A San Francisco air carrier is launching six weekly round-trip flights from Albuquerque to Carlsbad. Boutique Air also plans a half-dozen weekly flights from Carlsbad to Dallas. Read it Albuquerque Business First.  New Mexico's high court is being asked to weigh in on the state’s new copper rule regulating water discharges from mining operations.

Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  The state’s Human Services Department claims the expansion of Medicaid in New Mexico has led to thousands of new patients gaining access to behavioral health treatment. Read it at the ABQ Journal.  Family members of Luna County Detention Center inmates want to know why prisoners were handcuffed and pepper-sprayed last week. Read it at the Deming Headlight.  Hatch Valley chile farmers are questioning the use of the region's name by a Georgia company on cans of chile grown out of state. Read it here.  The US Peace Corps Association’s top award has been given to a former Santa Fe resident. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  Rain, hail and strong winds are forecast for Las Cruces today.

Read more here. 

Santa Fe Reporter