Morning Word: Brewers Worry Excise Tax Would Stop Industry 'In Its Tracks'

Brewers Oppose Proposed Excise Tax

The state’s craft brewers are speaking out against a proposed new excise tax, which could raise close to $154 million, but are

. The business claim the tax would stop the industry “in its tracks.” Lawmakers are looking at all revenue options to help resolve New Mexico’s growing state budget deficit. Supporters of the tax say they money is needed to ”help cover some of the public costs associated with excessive drinking, such as related police hours, court services and medical treatment.”

State Spending Could Violate the Law

State Auditor Tim Keller wants Gov. Susana Martinez to

to resolve the budget shortage and says the administration may be violating the law by continuing to spend money it doesn’t have.

Legal Pot Could Top Half a Billion

Legalizing cannabis in New Mexico could

and create almost 11,500 new jobs, according to an economic report produced by UNM Economist Kelly O’Donnell. If lawmakers approve the drug for adult social use, sales in the second year are estimated to grow to $677.7 million, or three times the state’s pecan crop. The governor has said she opposes the idea of legalizing cannabis.

Drug Makers' Political Influence Investigated

It looks like

aimed at limiting the use of opioids. The Associated Press teamed up with the Center for Public Integrity to analyze the pharmaceutical industry's lobbying efforts and campaign contributions nationally from 2005-2015. In New Mexico, the big firms contributed $337,000 and some analysts say that’s

aimed at reducing things like drug use in the state.

Union Urges Governor to Fire Corrections Secretary

New Mexico Corrections Department Secretary Gregg Marcantel and three other agency officials

after union guards say they’ve been unable to resolve safety concerns, mandatory overtime and staffing issues.

Cops' Murder Trail Begins with Conflicting Opinions

The attorney prosecuting two former Albuquerque Police officers accused of murdering camper James Boyd two years ago says the homeless camper no longer posed a threat when he was shot and killed. Defense attorneys disagree and say the cops had to

to protect an unarmed K-9 officer. A police shooting expert from California, who has reviewed more than a 100 shootings, says the police made many bad decisions, including removing a crisis team negotiator from the scene.

Open Government Group Hiring Process in Las Cruces

The City of Las Cruces may have violated the state’s Open Meetings Act if they voted behind closed doors to hire Stuart Ed, the city’s new manager. But city councilors and the mayor say

and they’ll discuss it at their first meeting in October.

Santa Fe Reporter