New Mexico Shuns Proposal To Raise Royalty Rates On Oil – Associated Press
New Mexico state legislators have shunned a proposal to increase the maximum royalty rate for oil and natural gas production on state trust lands that generate money for public schools.
A House committee on Friday declined to advance the bill for further consideration after a lengthy public hearing.
Newly elected Democratic State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard backed the proposal to increase top royalty rates from 20 percent to 25. She says that would give the state a stronger hand in negotiating leases with oil producers and raise more money for public education.
The bill also would have allowed the state to charge royalties on methane that is released into the atmosphere to discourage waste and pollution.
Oil companies and industry associations say the changes would drive away business.
Judge Sets Conditions Of Release For Ex-Priest – Associated Press
A New Mexico judge has set conditions of release for a former Catholic priest accused of kidnapping and raping a 6-year-old boy in the 1980s.
KOB-TV reports a judge ruled Friday that 81-year-old Marvin Archuleta must wear a GPS monitoring device while he awaits trial. He also cannot be in contact or around children.
Archuleta was arrested last week in Albuquerque.
The New Mexico Attorney General's Office had filed a motion for him to remain held until his trial.
A grand jury in Santa Fe returned an indictment Thursday against Archuleta on charges of kidnapping and rape.
He is accused in court documents of raping a boy who attended the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, New Mexico, during the mid-1980s.
Archuleta’s trial has not yet been scheduled.