Morning Word: Some Local Cops Not Keen on Enforcing Federal Laws

Homeland Security Immigration Memo Lands With a Thud
A new memo from the federal Department of Homeland Security that would expand a program to enlist local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws is getting a mixed reception from New Mexico police. The measure would expand efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Some local police agencies say their job is to worry about their own laws first.

Senate to Vote on Open-Carry Ban in Capitol

The state Senate will consider a bipartisan bill to ban

in the New Mexico State Capitol. Several gun control debates in recent years have featured gun-rights advocates carrying semi-automatic rifles through the halls of the Roundhouse. The bill's Republican co-sponsor told a Senate panel that “waving a rifle around in my face pisses me off.”

State Agency for Kids Opposes $320 Million Budget Boost

Saying the influx of hundreds of millions of dollars for early childhood education could “lead to waste and abuse of public dollars,” the Children, Youth and Families Department testified yesterday

to tax energy producers and electricity providers. CYFD sided with oil and gas producers as well as electric companies from around the state. The electricity tax would likely be passed on to consumers. CYFD warned that too much money for early childhood education could lead to pressure to spend it all right away. The bill in question died in committee.

Senate Committee Clamps Down on

Bill to Ban Trapping on Public Lands

A panel of state senators has

on a bill that would outlaw traps placed on public lands. Trappers represent a relatively small part of New Mexico's hunting community, generating $40,000 in licensing fees each year. The state Department of Game and Fish stood behind them, saying it's done so for 100 years.

SFPD Officer Resigns

A Santa Fe police officer has resigned after the department began investigating claims that he

on a woman who passed out at a party attended by off-duty cops. The officer, Isaiah Anaya, turned in his resignation yesterday. The department continues to investigate the

of Sgt. Troy Baker, whom officers elected as their union president.

Women Out to Enforce

The Navajo Nation's police force has

—better than one in five officers—working the beat on the country's largest reservation. The

Farmington Daily Times

takes a look at how the department became so successful at finding women to serve.

Court Funding Bill Finally Heads to Governor

The state court system would get $1.6 million to cover expenses for the rest of the year if the governor

 headed her way. Funding for the courts—which said jury trials may have to be canceled without more money—has been a surprising political poker chip during the legislative session. 

Like We Said...

So far, Shia LaBeouf's art installation—which encourages people to say the words "He will not divide us" into a street-level camera mounted on the El Rey Theater—has been spray painted and

. The actor and two artist pals moved the installation after it caused too much of a stir in New York City. Give it time, we suppose.

Thanks for reading! The Word wants to know what you're up to tonight. Just out of curiosity. Nothing weird. Oh, this is awkward now.
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