Morning Word: Rep. Espinoza Faces Ethics Complaint

Democratic Party says she used government resources to promote campaign for secretary of state

Espinoza Faces Ethics Complaint

The Democratic Party of New Mexico has filed

against Rep. Nora Espinoza, R-Roswell, for directing

to visit her legislative website to get more information on her campaign for secretary of state.

Secret Budget Talks

NM lawmakers are busy talking about the state budget, but their secret, behind-closed-door meetings

, who believe the public’s business should be, well, discussed publicly. The New Mexico House plans to consider the

this Saturday.

Supplemental Funding

US Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, is supporting

to address the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic that is devastating communities in New Mexico and across the country.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is considering adding up to $600 million for supplemental funding for drug prevention and treatment programs. A state proposal to require the New Mexico Department of Health to

and require some insurance providers to offer coverage for prescription opioids that make it more difficult to overdose is also advancing in the state legislature.

Sanchez-Gagne Prepares DA Campaign

Phaedra Haywood over at the New Mexican reports, “

of Santa Fe, former director of the Border Violence Division of the state Attorney General’s Office, announced today that she will be a Democratic candidate for district attorney for the 1st Judicial District, which includes Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.”

Repeat Offender Quickly Released

Less than 24 hours after Albuquerque police officers arrested and jailed repeat offender Rufus Phelps for being a felon in possession of a firearm while having an active warrant for another firearms charge,

Nuclear Ban Treaty

Michael Coleman reports, “Rose Gottemoeller, U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, is in New Mexico this week as part of an Obama administration

.”

More Legislative News

Infrastructure's Real Costs

 

A new report reveals that

. But that

by state transportation officials.

Transmission Line Project Gets Important Approval

The SunZia Southwest transmission line

in Arizona, but it still needs a green light from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The group is still negotiating with the NM State Land Office for right-of-way leases on state trust lands in the Bureau of Land Management’s preferred route.

Concussion Protection Bill

Ahead of Super Bowl 50, Sen. Tom Udall, D-NM, promotes a bill to

from dangerous concussions.

That's it for this week. Enjoy the weekend and the big game on Sunday.

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