New Mexico Political News

Guv in Vegas to Cheer on Lobos

Gov. Bill Richarsdon will be in the house tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to root on the University of New Mexico men`s basketball team in their Mountain West Conference tournament semifinal. Richardson, an avid sports fan, made the trip to Las Vegas today with his wife, First Lady Barbara Richardson. In a statement sent out by his office, Richardson didn`t make ...

Friday March 12, 2010 9:03PM | abqjournal.com

Richardson Signs Guns in Restaurants Bill

On his final day to act on bills passed during the 30-day legislative session that ended Feb. 18, Gov. Bill Richardson has signed into law a controversial measure that allows concealed carry licensees to take their handguns into restaurants that serve beer and wine.     The legislation, which was sought by the National Rifle Association, was opposed by the New Mexico Restaurant Associat ...

Wednesday March 10, 2010 8:13PM | abqjournal.com

Key Votes Broken Down

Some readers have expressed interest in seeing how lawmakers voted on some of the big tax and spending bills from last week's special session. We weren't able to include the breakdown of how each of the 112 legislators voted on the bills, but you should be able to follow these links to check the voting records. Senate Bill 10 - A $200 million tax hike package that include . . .

Tuesday March 9, 2010 6:36PM | abqjournal.com

GOP Group: 'Young Gun' Pearce Has Good Shot

Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican who hopes to reclaim New Mexico`s 2nd District seat, came to Washington this week to pick up some campaign cash, as well as some recognition as one of the GOP`s "Young Guns."

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

N.M. Dems, Republicans Split on Summit

WASHINGTON — Democrats and Republicans in New Mexico found little to agree on at the end of a nationally televised, marathon negotiation in Washington on Thursday.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

N.M. Delegation Backs Push

WASHINGTON — New Mexico`s congressional delegation cheered President Obama`s latest push to enact a sweeping health care overhaul this week, praising the legislative blueprint the White House unveiled Monday as a good way to revitalize an initiative that has appeared all but dead in recent weeks.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Domenici on Nuke Commission

WASHINGTON — So much for retirement.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Lawmakers: Obama 'Gets It'

WASHINGTON - Facing stiff political headwinds and a bleak national jobs outlook, President Barack Obama won praise from New Mexico's all-Democratic congressional delegation Wednesday night for the way he explained the challenges facing America and the strategies he offered to solve them during his first State of the Union address.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Albuquerque Woman Sits With First Lady

WASHINGTON - Albuquerque resident Chris Lardner never expected to become a national symbol for victims of credit card companies' abuse, but on Wednesday night she once again was in that role as a guest of the first lady during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Bingaman Back on Military Panel

Scott Brown`s surprise election in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race in January continues to reverberate across the country, including in New Mexico.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

N.M. Reps. Won't Return Rangel's Campaign Cash

WASHINGTON — Reps. Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague say they have no plans to return campaign contributions from Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York, who stepped down Wednesday as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee amid an ethics scandal.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

New U.S. Attorney Named for New Mexico

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Kenneth J. Gonzales as U.S. attorney for New Mexico, ending more than a year of speculation about who would be tapped as the state`s top federal prosecutor at a time when public corruption cases have grabbed headlines.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Green Chile Spices Up Senate Menu

WASHINGTON — For most New Mexicans living in Washington, getting a green chile fix usually means traveling back home or keeping a huge stash of the stuff in the freezer.

Monday March 8, 2010 6:24PM | abqjournal.com

Last Looks

Good morning. The Senate has just adjourned and veteran Sen. John Pinto, member of the Navajo Nation, educator, World War II Code Talker and New Mexico lawmaker since 1977, has donned his trademark stocking cap. His choice for adjournment weather-proofing is embroidered with the word "Metallica." We`re on the Senate floor and most senators already have left after 34 days of close cont ...

Friday March 5, 2010 8:05AM | abqjournal.com

GOP Hopefuls: Hit Reset on Health Care

Friday March 5, 2010 7:23AM | abqjournal.com

Brown Victory Changes Game

Friday March 5, 2010 7:23AM | abqjournal.com

Summary of Tax, Budget Issues in Legislature

A summary of measures approved by the Legislature during a special session, which ended Thursday. The bills go to Gov. Bill Richardson, who has 20 days to sign or veto them.   TAXES One-eighth cent increase in the gross receipts tax, which is a type of sales tax that applies to goods and services. The state rate will go from 5 percent to 5.125 percent starting July 1. Cities and countie ...

Friday March 5, 2010 1:53AM | abqjournal.com

BREAKING: Legislature Adjourns

The Legislature's special session has ended with a combination of more than $230 million in tax increases to balance a $5.6 billion budget.   The House adjourned just a few minutes after the Senate, when both chambers passed the last piece of the tax package, a 75-cents per pack tax on cigarettes worth $33 million to the state. The House concurred to Senate changes, which s . . .

Friday March 5, 2010 12:10AM | abqjournal.com

Senate Adjourns in Special Session

The state Senate has adjourned for the special session, just minutes after passing the last piece of a budget plan that came to fruition after the Legislature failed to reach a compromise in the regular legislative session that ended last month. The House remains in session to approve or deny changes made to a cigarette tax worth $33 million. If the House does not agree to changes, the tax, whic ...

Thursday March 4, 2010 11:32PM | abqjournal.com

Senate Passes Cig Tax

The Senate has passed the final piece of the Legislature`s budget-balancing compromise plan, approving a 75-cent per pack cigarette tax that would generate about $33 million for the state. The measure now returns to the House, which must approve changes to the tax made in the Senate Finance Committee. The House had earmarked $11 million of the tax to public education for four years. The ...

Thursday March 4, 2010 11:24PM | abqjournal.com