Morning Word: Republicans Say Egolf Didn't Disclose Conflict

By Matt Grubs

Republicans Accuse Egolf of Conflict
The state Republican Party says Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, failed to disclose a clear conflict of interest with marijuana-related legislation. Egolf is an attorney, and a medical marijuana company he represents is suing the state. The speaker says state rules are in his favor and an independent ethics group agrees, but says the example is why the state should pass a more stringent financial disclosure law.

Santa Fe Grapples with Being a Sanctuary City

This week, SFR reports that despite the city's self-designated sanctuary status, which means police are not to contact the feds when they suspect someone of being in the country illegally, that's

exactly what happened

on at least three occasions as police try to balance city policy with public safety. Meanwhile, hundreds of advocates

packed a city committee meeting

to support a proposal to reaffirm Santa Fe's sanctuary status.

Secretary of State Posts Public Officials' Financial Disclosures Online

New to her elected office, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has made required financial disclosure forms easily

available online

, including her own.

The forms

are required yearly of elected officials and appointees to boards and commissions.

Former Speaker Declines UNM Regents Appointment

Gov. Susana Martinez has named Don Tripp to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, but yesterday we learned Tripp, who recently resigned as speaker of the House and as a state representative,

withdrew his name

from consideration after worrying he'd run afoul of the state's Constitution. A provision in the Constitution bars legislators from being appointed to civil posts within one year of serving.

Santa Fe Rep Hospitalized

State Representative Jim Trujillo, a Democrat who has represented Santa Fe since 2003, is

in a Denver hospital

for heart trouble. Trujillo was flown to Colorado last week. In his absence, the speaker of the House appointed Santa Fe Rep. Carl Trujillo, Jim Trujillo's nephew, to the chairman's seat of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Open Primary Bill Sails Through Committee

A bill that would let voters who aren't members of a major political party—currently that means Democrats or Republicans—

vote in primary elections

 unanimously cleared a House committee. The party primaries are paid for by all taxpayers regardless of whether they belong to either party. A similar bill fell flat on the Senate side.

Santa Fe City Councilor Balks at Security Contract

Councilor Renee Villarreal is standing in the way of a

proposed security contract

with global giant G4S Secure Solutions. Villarreal says the company has a history of human rights violations, poor performance and overbilling.

Inn and Spa at Loretto on the Block

The iconic Santa Fe hotel that borrowed its design from the Taos Pueblo

may soon change hands

, as New Mexico-based Heritage Hotels & Resorts is in the process of reviewing financial details before finalizing the offer. 

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