Morning Word: Regulators Accused of Conflict of Interest

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even more pressure is being put on state regulators to block the Public Service Company of New Mexico's power replacement plan. At the same time, some renewable energy advocates think several key New Mexico Public Regulation Commission staffers have a conflict of interest with the power company. Plus, we take you inside the Roundhouse and look at the latest news from the legislature.

It's Monday, February 9, 2015.

The Sierra Club and several community groups are still urging the regulators to reject PNM's primary replacement option. They claim there are reliable alternatives to coal-generated electricity, but PNM insists its plan will cut greenhouse gas emissions and water use by up to 50 percent. Read the Associated Press story here.   While commissions wait for an independent hearing examiner’s recommendations on the power plan, the utility's critics are questioning a potential conflict of interest at the agency after discovering key PRC staffers used to work at the utility and still have “financial ties.”

PNM has also asked the PRC to approve a 16 percent increase for residential and small business rates and a rate reduction for 30 megawatt manufactures making the average increase just over 12 percent. Journalist Staci Matlock reports.  Senate Finance Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, says Gov. Susana Martinez’ $300 million road repair bill is “irresponsible.” Read more at the Deming Headlight.  Speaking of Deming, geologists report a 3.0 magnitude earthquake near there on Sunday morning. No injuries were reported. See more here.  Gov. Martinez says the state’s 68.5 percent high school graduation rate in 2014 is still too low.

While the graduation rate dropped from 70 percent in 2013, it remains 5.5 percentage points higher than the graduation rate from four years ago. Read more at the Los Alamos Daily Post.  It looks like Santa Fe Public School Superintendent Joel Boyd has found "greener pastures" and may be headed to Ft. Worth, Texas. SFR Editor Julie Ann Grimm has the story.  Skiers and tourists are frustrated that they can’t access their AT&T wireless network in Angel Fire,  and the area’s chamber of commerce president says that has put the resort at a disadvantage. Read more at the Sangre de Christo Chronicle.  The acting head of the Indian Health Service has highlighted the federal agency's proposed 2016 funding to provide health care services to Native Americans. Read more at the Farmington Daily Times.   A Carlsbad veteran ride service is seeing an increase in demand. Read it at the Carlsbad Current-Argus. Legislative News Recap:

• A bill to repeal driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants appears to be on its way to passing the state House. But blogger Mark Bentley isn’t so sure it will get through the state Senate –
• Inside Politics.
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• Former Gov. Bill Richardson doesn’t think lawmakers should repeal the driver’s license bill passed during his administration –
• Santa Fe New Mexican
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• The driver's license bill has led to some heated rhetoric in Santa Fe –
• Silver City Sun-News
• . 
• Lawmakers’ OK sought on gambling compacts –
• Albuquerque Journal.
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• Loaded with exemptions, the governor's reading bill may not end all social promotion –
• Las Cruces Sun-News.
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• A lobbyist financial disclosure bill is expected to go to a House committee today –
• Los Alamos Daily Post. 
• A gun show background check bill is dead –
• New Mexico Political Report
• . 
• The state's budget shortfall will hit higher education hard  –
• ABQ Journal
• .  
• A state House committee voted 7-1 to table a bill legalizing pot on Friday –
• SFR
• .  
• Some trainers say that a bill banning  drugs for racehorses is “draconian” –
• ABQ Journal
• .  
• Lawmaker wants extended jail time for repeat DWI offenders –
• KOB 4
• .  

Two abortion bills have been unveiled at the Capitol.

Read it at the ABQ Journal. State Rep. Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, introduced two bills last week intended to curb the sale of synthetic drugs and increase the penalties for drunken drivers with multiple convictions.

Montoya's bill would put the so-called spice under a civil section of law encompassing unfair trade practices and would allow people damaged by the drugs to sue their distributors in civil court. Read it at the Farmington Daily Times. The New Mexico Film Foundation hopes that Better Call Saul , which debuted last night on AMC, will give Albuquerque’s economy a big boost. See more at KOB 4.  After watching the premier, fans are giving the Breaking Bad prequel a “big thumbs up.” See more at KRQE 13. The University of New Mexico Lobo men’s basketball team, coming off a tough loss to Air Force last week, lost its second straight game to Utah State, 63-60 on Saturday night. The Lobos face Colorado State on Tuesday.

Geoff Grammer has more. 

Santa Fe Reporter