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Gov. Seeks New Investments In Education, Hearing Begins On PNM Replacement Power Plan

Wild Earth Guardians via Flickr
San Juan Generating Station

Governor Opens Legislative Session Urging Educational Investments – Associated Press

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday urged legislators at the outset of the state's annual legislative session to rally around new financial commitments to public education that range from an expansion of preschool slots to free college tuition for local residents.

Lujan Grisham delivered her second State of the State speech as legislators weigh what to do with an $800 million budget surplus for the coming fiscal year. The increase in government income is linked largely to the increased production of oil in southeastern New Mexico.

The Democrat boasted about job growth over the past year and told lawmakers that investments aimed at building up opportunities need to continue to ensure the state has a bright future over the next decade and beyond.

She marked education as the key.

The governor also declared support for legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana, saying it's time for the state to act.

She also addressed public safety, saying violence is too prevalent in the state and that repeat offenders need to be stopped and held accountable.

The governor's priorities for the coming fiscal year would increase general fund spending by about 8%. Leading Republican lawmakers warn the proposed increase — on top of a 12% increase this year — will be hard to sustain if the economy or crucial oil industry falter.

Governor Seeks New Investments In Early Childhood Education - Associated Press

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging legislators at the outset of the state's annual legislative session to rally around new financial commitments to public education. 

The commitments range from a trust fund for early childhood educational to free college tuition for local residents. 

Lujan Grisham is scheduled to deliver her second State of the State speech at noon on Tuesday as legislators weigh pending priorities for an $800 million budget surplus tied to a booming oil sector.

New Mexico Regulators Open Hearing On PNM Replacement Power - By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

New Mexico regulators heard from dozens of people Tuesday as they began considering proposals by the state's largest electric utility to replace the power that will be lost with the planned closure of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station in 2022.

The hearing before the Public Regulation Commission will stretch into next week, but it could be months before a decision is reached as other aspects of the case are in legal limbo.

The latest round of hearings involves how the utility plans to provide electricity to its customers once San Juan is shuttered. PNM contends the least costly option for customers involves a mix of solar, wind, natural gas and battery storage.

Critics say natural gas plants would also have to close eventually if PNM wants to meet its goal and state mandates of being emissions-free in a couple decades.

Some elected officials in San Juan County are fighting to keep the plant open as part of a proposed carbon-capture venture.

Coal miners and other employees who will be affected were among the environmentalists who packed the hearing Tuesday.

Legislature Considers Tuition-Free College, Legalizing Pot - By Morgan Lee, Associated Press

Efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, fund tuition-free college and shore up pensions for state and local government workers are top priorities as the New Mexico Legislature convenes.

The 30-day session convenes on Tuesday. The entire legislature, which is led by Democrats, is up for election this year as debate ensues on issues of restricting gun access, teacher pay and new criminal penalties for acts of domestic terrorism.

State government is flush with income linked to record breaking oil production in the southeast corner of the state.

Only Republican On County Commission Picked As Its Chairman The Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press

The sole Republican on the Bernalillo County Commission has been elected to serve as its chairman.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Lonnie Talbert was elected to the leadership post last week in a 3-2 vote. Democratic Commissioners Charlene Pyskoty and Steven Michael Quezada supported Talbert. Democrats Debbie O'Malley and Jim Collie voted against Talbert.

Pyskoty touted Talbert's independent voice and past support of immigrants and recognition of the climate crisis.  O'Malley said Democrats should stick together in the era of President Donald Trump and that it was county voters who decided to put a Democratic majority on the commission.

Cities Can't Opt Out Of Legal Pot Under New State ProposalAssociated Press

New Mexico would legalize recreational marijuana sales without exceptions for dissenting cities and counties under a rebooted proposal from legislators that stresses small business opportunities and easy access to pot for 80,000 current medical cannabis patients.

Legalization for the first time enjoys the full support of second-year Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The system aims to stamp out the black market and avoid a regulatory patch-quilt, while giving local jurisdictions the right to levy their own taxes on marijuana sales.

Every recreational dispensary would be required to offer medical marijuana to patients who qualify under a long list of medical conditions.

SRP Seeks Solar Energy From Bidders Including Navajo NationFarmington Daily Times, Associated Press

One of Arizona's largest utilities is seeking companies to build solar plants to provide up to 400 megawatts of power, including 200 megawatts from Navajo Nation facilities.

The Farmington Daily Times reported Salt River Project issued a request for proposals Jan. 15. SRP officials say the energy will be delivered to customers in central Arizona. The request from the Phoenix-based utility asks for proposals for plants that can produce between 100 and 200 megawatts.

The company says Navajo Nation plants could be located anywhere within its territory that can connect to the SRP grid.