- UTILITY REGULATION-REVAMP
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A proposal that would reshape the administrative structure of a powerful regulatory panel that oversees New Mexico utilities and other businesses is scheduled to have its first hearing before a Senate committee Tuesday. The House approved the bill late Sunday on a 36-34 vote, sending it to the Senate. Supporters are pushing for the measure to be considered by the full chamber since lawmakers will adjourn Thursday. The legislation is backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and key Democrats who are frustrated with the Public Regulation Commission's handling of implementation of a new renewable energy law.
- BORDER RECYCLING BUSINESS
SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico economic development officials say a strong business climate and transportation network in the border region has prompted another manufacturer to move some of its operations to Santa Teresa. State officials say W. Silver Recycling will be building a new facility on 60 acres that will be home to a recycling processing plant. The business is expected to be operational later this year and will focus on materials such as aluminum, copper and brass. The company already has nearly a dozen locations in New Mexico; California; Texas; Monterrey, Mexico, and Mexico City.
- AP-US-BORDER-WALL-WAIVED-LAWS
SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration is waiving federal contracting laws to speed construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall. The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it'll allow 177 miles of wall to be built faster in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and bring the Republican president closer to his pledge of 450 miles by year's end. A 2005 law gives the Homeland Security secretary sweeping powers to waive laws to expedite border barrier construction. Acting Secretary Chad Wolf tells Fox News Channel he hopes the move "will accelerate some of the construction that's going along the Southwest border." The move is expected to spark criticism the Trump administration is overstepping its authority.
- NEW MEXICO STATE-GREEK LIFE
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is starting a new initiative focused on the health, safety and well-being of students involved in fraternity and sorority life. School officials say it's based on a model used at large universities elsewhere. NMSU Dean of Students Ann Goodman says the goal is to develop strategies and common guidelines for accountability and address challenges such as alcohol abuse, hazing, sexual harassment and sexual assault that have plagued fraternity and sorority communities across the country. About 400 students belong to the eight fraternities and six sororities at New Mexico State University.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO-SENATE
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Former Democratic House Majority Leader Rick Miera says he is considering running for a crucial state Senate seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. John Sapien. Miera told The Associated Press on Monday that he is weighing whether to seek the Democratic nomination for the swing seat that is expected to draw strong interest from Republicans. Sapien announced Sunday he would not seek re-election this year. The district includes the affluent liberal areas of Placitas and Corrales, part of conservative Rio Rancho and Bernalillo — one of the poorest cities in the state. Miera served in the state House from 1991 to 2015.
- NEW REGENT
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Deming school administrator is New Mexico State University's newest regent. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that Deming Public Schools Superintendent Arsenio Romero was confirmed Monday for an open seat on NMSU's governing Board of Regents. Senators at the state Capitol unanimously approved his recommendation for the seat. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham nominated Romero, who served on her post-election transition team, to take over the seat after NMSU Regent Jerean Hutchinson resigned in April. Hutchinson's term will expire at the end of the year. Romero has been superintendent of Deming's schools since 2017.
- MARIJUANA-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has moved to phase out medical cannabis cards for nonresidents starting at mid-year, under a bill approved by the Legislature on Monday and supported by the governor. More than 600 people from Texas, Arizona and beyond have enrolled as patients in New Mexico's medical marijuana program since September based on a change in state statute signed into law last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. State health officials backtracked and said the residency requirement was dropped unintentionally from that legislation. They urged legislators this year to reinstate the requirement, arguing that opening up the program to nonresidents might prompt federal intervention.
- SECRET SETTLEMENTS-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is moving toward easing restrictions on the release of information on financial settlements involving state officials and payouts to whistleblowers. A bill was on its way to the governor's desk Monday that would eliminate a 180-day waiting period for the disclosure of financial agreements to resolve a variety of complaints against state officials. Final legislative approval came with a unanimous vote of the House on Sunday evening. The legislation came in response to financial settlements approved during the administration of former Gov. Susana Martinez, including a series of payouts that were sealed until the two-term Republican left office at the end of 2018.