Judge Strikes Down Albuquerque's Panhandling Ordinance- Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A judge says Albuquerque's panhandling ordinance restricts free speech and is unconstitutional.
The Albuquerque ordinance's language had
prohibited panhandlers from standing on sidewalks and medians in the city's streets to solicit motorists, with the sponsor saying it was intended to make streets safer.
The measure was passed in 2017, but hadn't been enforced since early 2018 when the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of four people.
The plaintiffs included a woman who was homeless and regularly sought donations on the street, a couple who handed out donations from their vehicles and a woman who distributed fliers to drivers at red lights.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that U.S. District Judge Robert Brack's ruling came Thursday.
New Mexico Reports 4.9% Unemployment Rate In June- Associated Press
New Mexico reports a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.9% in June.
The rate is down from 5% in May and up from 4.8% in June 2018.
The department said Friday that total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 15,200 jobs or 1.8%, between June 2018 and June 2019.
The private sector accounted for the vast majority of the 1.8% increase.
Governor Makes New Mexico Stream Commission Appointments- Associated Press
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed seven members to a New Mexico commission tasked with overseeing water dispute negotiations with other states and overseeing conservation projects for the state's stream systems.
The governor said Friday that she also had re-appointed an eighth member, Mark Sanchez, to be the Interstate Stream Commission's chair.
Commission members must come from different parts of the state, and at least one must be a tribe or pueblo member. They serve six-year terms.
The new members are Aron Balok , Bidtah Becker , Greg Carrasco , Paula Garcia , Mike Hamman , Stacy Timmons and Tanya Trujillo.
They join the panel after commissioners last month delayed action on a plan that details environmental reviews and other work on the controversial Gila River diversion plan.
Salary Of New Mexico Lottery Head Increases To $220K – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The New Mexico Lottery Authority has increased its CEO's base annual pay to $220,000 — a move drawing criticism by those who argue the money should be going into a scholarship program.
Lottery board Chairman Dan Salzwedel told the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday that the 26% increase for CEO David Barden is smaller than it appears because the new salary agreement does not include several bonus pay incentives that the previous contract offered.
Barden's three-year agreement does include a one-time $8,800 salary retention adjustment and a severance package if he's fired.
Think New Mexico’s Executive Director Fred Nathan says the board should be focused on maximizing scholarship funds.
The group advocated for the state requirement for the lottery to put 30% of its gross sales into a college scholarship program.
New Mexico Congresswoman Breaks Ranks In Wage Hike Vote- Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
One of New Mexico's congresswomen broke ranks with fellow Democrats as the U.S. House approved legislation to raise the federal minimum wage.
U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small says she's for raising the minimum wage but that $15 was too high.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Torres Small had heard from constituents in the 2nd Congressional District that such a boost would have a devastating effect on small businesses, especially those in rural areas.
U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Deb Haaland voted for the bill.
The last increase in the federal minimum wage occurred 10 years ago, the longest stretch without an adjustment since the wage floor was first enacted during the 1930s.
Under the bill, tipped workers would be required to be paid the same as others earning the minimum.