Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Senate has approved a proposal to stop governmental retirees from returning to work for a state or local government while receiving their pension.

The proposed limits will not affect about 1,500 state and municipal workers who already are double-dipping with their salaries and pensions.

The proposed restrictions target public employees retiring after July 1.

Government workers currently can retire, wait 90 days and return to work for the state, city or county while receiving their pensions.

By KRWG News

Texas – The deadline has arrived as state agencies are asked to recommend cuts as Texas faces a projected budget shortfall in 2011.

Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus in January asked all state agencies to offer proposals cutting 5 percent of their budgets. The deadline was Monday.

Authorities have said the projected state budget shortfall could range from $10 billion to as high as $16 billion next year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexicans licensed to carry a concealed handgun could legally go into some restaurants that sell beer and wine under a bill approved by the House.

The legislation, supported by the National Rifle Association, was approved Sunday on a 53-to-14 vote over the objections of some lawmakers who said liquor and guns don't mix.

The Senate passed a similar bill Friday. Both chambers must pass the same version before it goes to the governor to be signed into law.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Senate has approved $175 million in capital improvements across New Mexico, including for colleges and universities and senior citizen centers.

Voters would decide in November whether to approve bonds for the projects. The general obligation bonds will be backed by property taxes.

The bill provides $154 million for projects at colleges and universities. Included is $18 million for renovation and additions to the Hershel Zohn Theater and Branson Library at New Mexico State University.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Senate has approved a proposal to limit property tax increases when a home changes ownership.

The legislation targets a problem called property tax lightning, where homes are reassessed after being sold and taxes increase because of higher valuations.

State law imposes a 3 percent cap on yearly increases in a home's assessed value until it's sold. That's created tax inequities between property that's sold and homes with no ownership change.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – With time running out in the Legislature, the Senate has approved a $5.5 billion state budget that's balanced by reinstating New Mexico's sales tax on certain foods and increasing the cigarette tax.

The food tax generates $138 million. A wide range of food products will be taxed, including white flour tortillas, candy and soft drinks.

New Mexico lifted the tax on food in 2005. The Senate proposal narrows the definition of food. The bill passed 23-19 late Saturday. It goes to the House where it faces strong opposition.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – People licensed for concealed handguns could take their weapons into restaurants serving beer and wine under legislation approved by the Senate.

Under the legislation, it will remain illegal for individuals to take their concealed weapons into a bar or a restaurant with a full liquor license.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. George Munoz, a Gallup Democrat, said the proposed change in law could help reduce crime because people have handguns stolen when they leave them in a vehicle to go into a restaurant.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A proposal to revamp the State Investment Council has cleared the Senate and it will reduce the governor's influence over the board overseeing endowment funds valued at $12 billion.

The governor serves as the Investment Council's chairman and can control the board through his power to appoint members.

The legislation removes the governor from the council and limits his influence to fewer members. Legislative leaders will name some appointees.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The House has rejected a proposal that would have allowed people facing a drug possession charge in New Mexico to have the option of treatment rather than jail time.

The bill's sponsor, Democrat Rep. Antonio Maestas of Albuquerque, says the state could have saved $22 million in annual incarceration costs by approving the measure.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Department of Transportation has released $1.9 million for a widening and reconstruction project on Interstate 10 from Las Cruces to the Texas border. That goes with $10 million already issued in federal stimulus funds.

The freeway will be expanded from four-lane road to a six-lane road.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Health information technology efforts in New Mexico have received a $13 million boost from federal stimulus funds.

The Lovelace Clinic Foundation has received two grants, including $7 million to promote a health information exchange and $6 million to promote a health information technology regional extension center.

Both awards support the expansion of health information technology and electronic medical records, which can save patients time, lower costs and improve the quality of health care.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – As a scientist and environmental activist, Al Armendariz has long been frustrated by the government's inability to clean up polluted air in Texas.

He's called the Environmental Protection Agency broken, labeled both the EPA and the Texas environmental agency failures, and testified on behalf of activist groups.

Now Armendariz is in charge of EPA operations in New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – After losing more than $77,000 in New Mexico State University funds and drawing a crowd of only about 7,000 people, the Thunder on the Rio Grande air show in Las Cruces has been postponed indefinitely.

Organizers had hoped the two days of wing-walking, F-16 flyovers, hang-gliding and a jet-powered school bus would bring an air show tradition to Las Cruces.

Airport manager Lisa Murphy says only about a third of the expected crowd attended the show last May.

By KRWG News

Silver City – A homeless woman has been charged with a misdemeanor after being found next to a burning body at a crude campsite near Silver City.

Officials say 65-year-old Patricia Overton was arraigned Thursday in Silver City Magistrate court for failing to report a death.

Grant County sheriff's deputies were conducting a welfare check Wednesday when they discovered Overton with the body off Highway 180 west of Silver City. The woman, who says she is homeless, is being held on $500 bond at the Grant County jail.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A Senate committee has approved a proposal to raise nearly $140 million to help balance the budget by reinstating New Mexico's sales tax on some food products.

However, the proposal is starting a war over tortillas.

The bill endorsed by the Finance Committee on Friday will impose the gross receipts tax on white flour tortillas, but no tax will apply to whole wheat tortillas.

The legislation will leave products tax exempt if they are considered food under the federal Women, Infants and Children program.