Morning Word: State Budget Woes

Land commissioner suggests raising gasoline taxes

Budget Deficit Deepens

As the price of oil dropped to $26.19 a barrel on Thursday, Sen. Finance Chairman John Arthur Smith says the state

. To dig out from the deficit, Aubrey Dunn, the commissioner of public lands, suggests it may be time to raise taxes, beginning with gasoline taxes. Dunn, who won’t be popular with Gov. Susana Martinez or fellow Republicans, says royalty income from the oil and gas industry is off 37.5 percent, and some

to drill on state trust land.

Pot Taxes to the Rescue

While oil revenue falls, some people suggest lawmakers look to the huge revenue Colorado is collecting from taxes on legal marijuana. A proposal to

passed the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday.

Most SF Council Candidates Support Tax Hike

Speaking of budget deficits, a majority of the candidates running for a seat on the Santa Fe City Council say they

to shore up the city’s projected budget deficit.

Udall, Heinrich: End Immigration Raids

The Associated Press reports, “New Mexico's two U.S. Democratic senators want President Barack Obama to

targeting Central American women and children.”


'Crisis in the Cold'

KOB is taking a long look at the reasons why community service aides are finding so many

this winter, including 17 in the last few months alone. Meanwhile, KRQE reports that a rescue mission in Albuquerque plans to use grant money to

to homeless people who enroll in drug treatment and job preparation programs.

Juvenile Justice

Nehemiah Griego, who pleaded guilty to killing five family members in Albuquerque in 2013 when he was only 15 years old, will be

and likely released from custody when he is 21. His family had mixed emotions about the ruling.

Other Legislative News

Popular Pope

If you have a US passport and really want to see Pope Francis' Mass in Juarez next Wednesday, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is

on Saturday at 9 am. Follow the link for details on how to get them.

That's it for this week.  Have a romantic Valentine's Day.

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