New Mexico Hires Team To Study Universal Health Insurance - Associated Press
The Legislature has hired team of consultants as it looks for ways to provide universal health care access under new financial models.
The Legislative Finance Committee confirmed Monday that it has awarded a roughly $390,000 contract for studying the issue to Maryland-based KNG Health Consulting, IHS Markit of London and Albuquerque-based researcher Lee Reynis.
The fiscal study was spurred by repeatedly stalled proposals from state legislators to provide near-universal health care coverage.
The Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign is calling for a system that shifts private insurance to a supplemental role in a way that resembles Medicare.
New Mexico cut the uninsured rate in half since expanding Medicaid in 2014 to more people on the cusp of poverty.
A public meeting on the analysis takes place Wednesday in Albuquerque.
Retired Government Workers Decry Pension-Solvency Proposal - MORGAN LEE, Associated Press
Retired public employees are assailing a proposal to shore up New Mexico's pension fund in defiance of recommendations from the governor.
An advocacy group for the retirees objected Wednesday to a proposed profit-sharing model that ties future cost-of-living increases for retirees to investment returns.
Credit ratings for New Mexico, the city of Albuquerque, and public schools and universities have been downgraded due to unfunded obligations at two major pension funds.
Colorado Man Sues After New Mexico Treasure Hunt Search - Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
A Colorado treasure hunter claiming he was duped has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against a New Mexico man who said he hid a chest filled with valuables somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Tuesday that David Hanson of Colorado Springs sued Forrest Fenn after suspecting he was given "fraudulent statements" about the treasure's location.
The lawsuit alleges Fenn gave additional clues that led Hanson away from his search area and, according to the lawsuit, helped another person find the items in question.
There has been no report that the treasure has been found. Fenn says he hid the items and published clues in an effort to get people outdoors.
Arizona Man Shot In Head By New Mexico Sheriff Suing County - Associated Press
An Arizona man is suing after he was shot in the head by New Mexico sheriff following a chase in a front-end loader.
An attorney for James McFarlin filed a lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court against Roosevelt County over claims Sheriff Malin Parker used excessive force.
According to the lawsuit, the then 48-year-old McFarlin led authorities on a slow-speed chase through Portales, New Mexico, after he rammed the tractor into his wife's car. The lawsuit says McFarlin went into a field and drove in circles while refusing commands to stop.
Court documents say Parker aimed his shotgun out of his patrol car and shot McFarlin in the head.
McFarlin, who now lives in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton declined the comment on the lawsuit.
New Mexico State Income Outpaces Expectations - Associated Press
State government income for New Mexico is exceeding expectations set out by agency economists.
A revenue tracking report from the Legislature on Tuesday showed state general fund income of $8 billion for the fiscal year that ended June 30. That is $85 million higher than a recent forecast from state economists.
Income for July and August rose $21 million over the same period in 2018, also exceeding forecasts.
Record breaking oil production and related construction and job growth are providing a financial windfall to state government under the administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The state has increased salaries at public schools and state agencies and gone on an infrastructure spending spree aimed at deteriorated roadways.
Governor Endorses Increased Pension Contributions – Associated Press
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is throwing her political weight behind a public pension reform proposal that would increase retirement contributions by taxpayers and most state and local government workers.
In a statement Tuesday, Lujan Grisham announced her endorsement of a so-called profit-sharing model that links cost-of-living increases for retirement payouts to the performance of pension investments.
Unfunded pension obligations have climbed to $6.6 billion for state and local government employees.
Lujan Grisham says the proposal she backs would put the Public Employees Retirement Association on track to eliminate unfunded pension liabilities within 25 years.
Elderly, disabled and low-income retirees would be sheltered from major pension changes.
The exact scale of pension contribution increases was not immediately available. Taxpayer contributions would decrease as pension-fund finances improve.
New Mexico Governor To Attend Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony - Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will be among those in Washington for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
This year's tree traveled over 1,500 miles from the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. It's a 60-foot blue spruce that will be adorned with thousands of ornaments made by New Mexico school children and community members.
Lujan Grisham along with members of the state's congressional delegation will deliver remarks during Wednesday's ceremony.
Asher Dean, a fourth-grader from Arroyo Seco and winner of the Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest, will help light the tree.
Farmington native and "The Voice" winner Chevel Shepherd will perform at the ceremony.
The Santa Fean Magazine's Future In Doubt Amid Layoffs - Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
Santa Fe-based Bella Media and its flagship publication, the Santa Fean, are in flux following massive layoffs.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the future of the nearly half-century-old, bi-monthly magazine is in doubt as planned editions have been put on hold.
Associate publisher and sales manager David Wilkinson said nearly all employees of Bella Media's multiple magazines were given layoff notices the day before Thanksgiving.
Wilkinson said he did not know his own status at Bella Media.
Bella Media President and Santa Fean publisher Bruce Adams declined to give details on the company's future.
Bella Media was established as a limited liability corporation in 2011 with Adams as the registered agent.
Albuquerque, University Approve Development Financing Plan – Associated Press
The Albuquerque City Council has approved a resolution enabling a new tax financing plan that could result in commercial development around the University of New Mexico.
A non-binding resolution passed by the council Monday enables negotiations to create a Tax Increment Development District.
Officials say the financing mechanism would allow developers to build around the university's athletic venues and Science & Technology Park and receive reimbursement through city sales or property tax.
University officials say potential developments include parking garages, commercial and retail space and other projects that could generate up to $516 million in new tax revenue over 25 years.
Officials say the development is expected to create thousands of jobs.
Officials say previous efforts to generate development in the area have been derailed by infrastructure costs.
Arizona Man Shot In Head By New Mexico Sheriff Suing County - By Russell Contreras Associated Press
An Arizona man is suing after he was shot in the head by a New Mexico sheriff following a chase in a front-end loader.
An attorney for James McFarlin filed a lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court against Roosevelt County over claims Sheriff Malin Parker used excessive force.
According to the lawsuit, the then 48-year-old McFarlin led authorities on a slow-speed chase through Portales, New Mexico, after he rammed the tractor into his wife's car. The lawsuit says McFarlin went into a field and drove in circles while refusing commands to stop.
Court documents say Parker aimed his shotgun out of his patrol car and shot McFarlin in the head.
McFarlin, who now lives in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton did not immediately return an email.
New Mexico State To Keep Football Head Coach Doug Martin - Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
New Mexico State athletics director Mario Moccia says Aggies head coach Doug Martin will return for his eighth season.
Moccia told the Las Cruces Sun-News on Monday he believes Martin will get the Aggies back in a bowl game despite the team's 2-10 record this season.
Moccia says Martin was the reason New Mexico State reached the Arizona Bowl in 2017 after nearly 60 years of not playing in the college postseason.
Martin has a 22-63 record as the Aggies head coach.
Moccia says a buyout of Martin's contract and the Aggies assistant coaching staff would be in the neighborhood of $1.3 million.
$12.7M Dam Project Aimed At Protecting New Mexico Village – Associated Press
A New Mexico county is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a $12.7 million project aimed at protecting the village of Hatch from flooding.
Doña Ana County officials and the federal agency will sign an agreement next week to move ahead with design and construction of an earthen dam in lower Spring Canyon.
The project will be funded through a combination of federal and local dollars.
Officials say storm runoff has been a continual threat for area residents and that flooding over the years has resulted in millions of dollars in damage.
New Mexico leads the nation with the highest percentage of high-hazard dams in either poor or unsatisfactory condition, according to an investigation by The Associated Press. Doña Ana County is home to many of the dams on the list.
Fugitive NM Man, Missing Young Sons Found In Cabo San Lucas – Associated Press
Mexican authorities say they have found two young brothers allegedly taken from a Las Cruces, New Mexico, daycare by their father, and arrested the man.
Police in Cabo San Lucas said in a statement that 52-year-old Clarence Michael Ransom was located at a hotel room in the Baja California Sur resort city before dawn Tuesday along with 3-year-old son Maverick and 4-year-old Orion. A woman had reported disturbances at the room.
The statement said Ransom became aggressive when police arrived, and he was detained. Officers then sought information from the local U.S. consulate and determined he had an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly taking the boys from the country without their mother's permission.
The children were being cared for by Mexican authorities.