Four Corners Sees Spike In Marijuana Seizures – The Associated Press and Daily Times
New statistics show that a Four Corners regional narcotics taskforce has seized around six times as much marijuana in 2014 than the previous year.
The Daily Times reports that the Region II Narcotics Taskforce seized 245 pounds of marijuana, which has an approximate street value nearly $200,000.
Taskforce director Phil Goodwin says the spike in seizures could largely be attributed to the recent arrests of two men who were operating growing houses.
The taskforce seized 88 pounds of marijuana in 2012 and 40 pounds of marijuana in 2013.
New Mexico man Settles Solitary Confinement Federal Lawsuit – The Associated Press
A New Mexico man allegedly kept in filthy solitary confinement conditions and reportedly was denied proper health care has settled his federal lawsuit.
A lawyer for 51-year-old Jerome Gonzales announced Wednesday that his client settled his lawsuit with Otero County for $2.9 million.
Attorney Matthew Coyte said Gonzales suffered from mental illness and was not given proper treatment while in the southern New Mexico county jail.
According to the lawsuit, Gonzales was place in solitary confinement in February 2012 following an arrest for driving with a suspended license. Court documents say county officials let Gonzales' mental state deteriorate to a point would Gonzales would strip naked and cover himself in feces.
Otero County Commissioner Ronny Rardin did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.
NM House To Consider Revamped Right-To-Work Bill - The Associated Press
The New Mexico House of Representatives is scheduled to consider a revamped right-to-work bill that tacks on an increase in the minimum wage from $7.50 to $8 an hour.
The Republican-sponsored bill prohibits requiring workers to join a union or to pay dues as a condition of employment and applies to both public and private sectors.
Federal data shows about 43,000 workers in New Mexico were members of unions in 2014, or about 5.7 percent of the total workforce.
The full House is expected to debate the contentious proposal Wednesday afternoon. A debate on a right-to-work bill is also underway in the Wisconsin Senate.
The Missouri Senate, too, is expected to consider a similar bill after the measure passed the House there earlier this month. Twenty-four states have right-to-work laws.
New Mexico Regulators Punt Ride-Booking Service Lyft Ruling – The Associated Press
New Mexico regulators have tabled a decision to allow ride-booking service Lyft to temporarily operate in the state while lawmakers debate the future of such companies.
The Public Regulation Commission voted Wednesday to table San Francisco-based Lyft's request to function in the New Mexico amid confusion over state laws.
Last year, the commission ordered Lyft to cease operations in Albuquerque, where the company had launched its mobile device-based service.
Lyft and Uber use smart-phone programs to connect people seeking rides with people who have cars.
Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose have introduced a bill that would allow ride-booking services to operate in New Mexico.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a measure earlier this month to allow the companies to operate in that state.
Child Protection Bills Roll Through New Mexico Legislature - The Associated Press
In an otherwise rancorous legislative session, New Mexico lawmakers are finding common ground on bills aimed at keeping children safe.
Child protection measures are enjoying bipartisan support during a 60-day session that just passed its midpoint. That's despite party-line votes on a host of contentious issues that range from abortion and right-to-work to driver's licenses for those suspected of being in the country illegally.
Lawmakers say tackling crimes against children is a non-partisan issue.
House Minority Leader Brian Egolf's bill to clarify the state's child abuse reporting law recently cleared the House.
Republican Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage's bill to crack down on sexual predators was also approved.
Federal data shows New Mexico had one of the steepest increases in child victims between 2009 and 2013, putting the state in the top five nationally.
Marshals Service: Dozens Of Fugitives Apprehended In Roundup - The Associated Press
Law enforcement authorities in New Mexico say they arrested dozens of violent fugitives in the latest phase of a statewide operation.
The U.S. Marshals Service says federal, state and local officers apprehended 24 violent fugitives during the second phase of "Operation Desert Snow."
That phase of the operation was conducted in Dona Ana, Lincoln, Luna, Otero and Sierra counties in southern New Mexico on Feb. 19-22.
The first phase of the operation was conducted in December in the Four Corners part of the state, and the Marshals Service says the third phase will begin soon in another part of northern New Mexico.
Contractor Faces Possible Prison Term In Real Estate Scheme – The Associated Press
A Valencia County contractor faces up to nine years in prison when he is sentenced on guilty pleas to criminal charges in a real estate scheme.
The New Mexico Securities Division said 41-year-old John Perea of Los Lunas pleaded guilty in state District Court in Albuquerque last week to multiple counts of fraud and embezzlement.
According to the division, Perea must pay nearly $400,000 in restitution to people whom he induced to invest in real estate projects and private lending opportunities.
The division said the investments were supposed to be used as private financing for construction of homes by Perea's company, Don Juan Construction.
The division said Perea used money from new investors to pay previous investors and diverted investors' money for his personal living expenses.
NM House Of Representatives Approves $6.2B Budget Bill - The Associated Press
The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a $6.2 billion spending proposal that includes pay raises for new teachers and state police officers.
The House voted 42-25 Tuesday following a three-hour debate. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Adopting a budget is a must-do assignment for lawmakers before the session adjourns March 21.
The amount of spending in the bill is nearly the same as that outlined by Gov. Susana Martinez and the Legislative Finance Committee earlier this year.
While most department budgets remain largely flat, the bill boosts spending for education, the state's child welfare agency, and tourism.
New Mexico Senate Oks Forced Mental-Illness Treatment Bill - The Associated Press
The New Mexico Senate has passed a proposal that would require some New Mexico residents with severe mental illness to receive court-ordered outpatient treatment.
Senators approved Tuesday by a 30-11 vote a measure strongly supported by mental health advocates.
The bill would allow judges in some counties to order patients to take medication and undergo treatment if they are deemed a danger to themselves and their community. Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen says it's "like a modified version" of the New York's Kendra's law.
That measure was named after Kendra Webdale, a 32-year-old woman who was pushed in front of an oncoming subway train in 1999 by a man battling untreated schizophrenia.
Papen, who is sponsoring the bill, says the state measure is tailored to the New Mexico.
Feds Face Lawsuit Over Rio Grande Levee Project - The Associated Press
An environmental group that has been pushing the federal government to let the Rio Grande flow freely is taking aim at a levee project along the river.
WildEarth Guardians on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The group claims the construction of dozens of miles of levees from the San Acacia Dam south to Elephant Butte Reservoir would have a negative effect on the Rio Grande silvery minnow and other endangered species.
The Fish and Wildlife Service declined to comment on the litigation.
The Army Corps of Engineers has already started construction on six miles of the project. The environmental group wants the agency to use non-structural means to address flood concerns on the project's remaining 37 miles.
New Mexico Gets Nearly $16M In Tribal Gambling Revenues - The Associated Press
American Indian tribes that operate casinos in New Mexico shared with the state nearly $16 million in gambling revenues during the last quarter.
The New Mexico Gaming Control Board released the 2014 fourth quarter numbers Tuesday. Sandia Pueblo reported the most net winnings during the period with more than $36 million.
In all, tribes reported about $176 million for the quarter. That's about $5 million less than the same period in 2013.
Officials say tribes paid New Mexico more than $66 million in 2014 under revenue-sharing agreements that call for the state to ensure gaming exclusivity for the tribes in exchange for a percentage of net winnings.
Net winnings represent the amount wagered on gaming machines, less the prizes won on those machines and regulatory fees.