Cities Can't Opt Out Of Legal Pot Under New State Proposal – Associated 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 Nation – Farmington 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.
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.
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 Democratic-led Legislature 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.
Union Bucks Proposed 3% Pay Boost For State Workers – Associated Press
Leaders of the second-largest labor union for New Mexico state employees are bristling at a proposed 3% pay increase from the governor and are promising to push for more compensation at the Legislature in an election year.
Dan Secrist, executive vice president to the Communications Workers of America, said he will present to lawmakers a budget amendment that would raise base pay to at least $15 an hour.
The union also is calling for tiered pay increases ranging from 9% for workers earning under $30,000 annually to 5% for most workers earning over $60,000. The Legislature convenes Tuesday for a 30-day session.
State Of New Mexico To Pay Newspaper $360K For Legal Fees - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The state of New Mexico has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a weekly newspaper in Santa Fe that accused the former governor of discrimination and violating the state's public records law.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Friday that last year's $360,000 settlement to The Santa Fe Reporter became public last week after a six-month confidentiality period imposed by state law expired.
Officials say the agreement comes after the newspaper won a court ruling in 2017 that said Gov. Susana Martinez violated the state Inspection of Public Records Act. Martinez appealed. Officials say the state agreed to drop the appeal after reaching an agreement.
Crowdfunding Effort Behind Plan To Revitalize Route 66 Hotel - Associated Press
There are plans to redevelop another dilapidated hotel along the longest urban stretch of historic Route 66, but this project on the edge of downtown Albuquerque will be bankrolled in a unique way.
The California-based hotel and entertainment company behind the effort is partnering with an investment platform to raise $6 million through local crowdfunding to pay for part of the project.
At nearly $25 million, the project calls for updating rooms at The Hotel Blue, changing the property's name and adding new food and drink offerings.
The property was originally built in the mid-1960s as part of a national chain of midcentury downtown hotels.
Albuquerque Police Investigate Death At An Apartment Complex - Associated Press
Police in Albuquerque say they are investigating the death of a man at an apartment complex. They say officers were called about 4 p.m. Saturday by a resident at the Laurels at Uptown complex who said their neighbor was injured.
Police say the victim died from his injuries, but they didn't say how the man was injured or if there are any suspects in the case yet.
Homicide detectives are investigating and interviewing witnesses.