- GOVERNOR EMERGENCY POWERS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Some state legislators are fed up with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's 11-month string of emergency health orders. They would like to put limits on health orders during this pandemic and in future emergencies. State senators are considering a law that would limit emergency health orders to 14 days unless legislative leaders agree to an extension. In the House, a bipartisan group is introducing a bill allowing 90-day orders, but requiring the full assembly of legislators to extend them. The governor can call the legislature for a special session at any time. The legislature is currently meeting for a 60-day regular session.
- HEALTH EXCHANGE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is backing legislation that would expand subsidies to the state's health insurance exchange for residents who don't qualify for Medicaid. A first legislative hearing was scheduled for Wednesday on a bill that would substitute a state surtax on insurance premiums for a slightly smaller federal fee that expired late last year. Proceeds would be used to pay down premiums and other out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families that obtain insurance through state's exchange. State insurance regulators hope the measure might extend insurance coverage to 23,000 people who go without coverage.
- AIR FORCE-AIR SPACE
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force signaled that it would likely expand existing airspace to train F-16 fighter pilots rather than create new flying areas over the Rio Grande Valley and Gila wilderness. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Tuesday that the Air Force would prefer to extend current operations over Eddy, Otero and Chaves counties for F-16 pilots taking off from Holloman Air Force Base. The Air Force has said that more airspace is needed to adequately train pilots. During public hearings in 2019, environmental and economic organizations said the Air Force had not provided data that supported claims that overflights and noise would have minimal impact on wildlife.
- FATAL CRASH-AIRMAN CONVICTED
ALBUQUERQUE, NM. (AP) — A 22-year-old Kirtland Air Force Base airman has been convicted of charges stemming from a 2019 car crash that killed an Albuquerque woman. A court-martial panel on Tuesday convicted Airman Calvin Cooper of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide in the death of 39-year-old Angelica Baca. A prosecutor said Baca was struck in a street median by Cooper's car as he drove 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, while a defense lawyer said Baca was negligent by not using a crosswalk to cross a busy street.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Workplace safety regulators are fining an auto parts store in southeastern New Mexico $243,000 amid accusations it allowed employees with coronavirus symptoms to continue working without properly screening them. The Environment Department announced the penalty Tuesday against O'Reilly Auto Parts in Lovington, where employees showing symptoms were allowed to work and ultimately tested positive for the virus. Three workers tested positive, including a 46-year-old woman who later died. A company representative had no immediate comment. Infection rates and daily deaths are tending downward in New Mexico. Testing at the state Capitol has identified one new infection as lawmakers grapple with pandemic safety.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Tuesday reported 82 new COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths. The latest numbers raised the totals to 28,471 cases and 1,032 known deaths since the pandemic began. The tribe has tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 56 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- OIL AND GAS-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are voicing concerns about U.S. President Joe Biden's pause on oil, saying recent actions by the administration will undoubtedly have long-term implications for the state's financial outlook. Industry groups and state regulators testified Tuesday before a key Senate committee about potential production decreases and revenue losses. New Mexico already has seen a decrease in drilling rigs and decisions by developers to shift multimillion-dollar investments elsewhere. With oil and gas revenues accounting for a significant portion of New Mexico's budget, experts warned that lost revenue will have to be made up through either spending cuts or tax increases.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO TRAPPING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Legislation to prohibit traps, snares and wildlife poisons from being used on public lands across New Mexico has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Environmentalists and animal advocacy groups testified on behalf of the measure during a Senate committee meeting Tuesday. They argued that New Mexico needs to join neighboring states and ban what they described as a cruel and outdated practice. Rural residents and wildlife conservation officers said trapping remains an important tool for managing wildlife and protecting livestock. They pointed to changes made last year to the state's trapping rules, saying lawmakers should give the rules a chance to work before imposing a sweeping ban.