KRQE News 13 - Politics and Government

Decades of I-40 makeovers wrapping up

Crystal Gutierrez — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:36:39 GMT

The collective sigh of relief heard Friday in northeast Albuquerque came from drivers on Interstate 40 as lanes opened and barriers disappeared around the new San Mateo interchange.

Agency leader resigns after DWI arrest

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:24:27 GMT

One of Gov. Bill Richardson's cabinet secretaries who landed a federal job has resigned from state government after being arrested for drunken driving.

Non-profits could suffer state cuts

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:51:57 GMT

Several non-profit organizations providing help and support to the community could see their budgets cut as the state deals with its $650 million deficit.

South Valley nears incorporation vote

Crystal Gutierrez — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:37:38 GMT

In two months South Valley residents will decide if they want their part of Bernalillo County to become its own town.

White resigns, effective Nov. 30

Todd Dukart — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:13:05 GMT

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has tendered his resignation, which will take effect sometime Nov. 30, the day before he becomes Albuquerque's chief public safety officer.

Hyrdopower project gets federal funding

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:37:52 GMT

Federal stimulus funding has been awarded to Los Alamos County for a hydroelectric project in northern New Mexico.

Chatty drivers ignoring cell-phone law

Alex Tomlin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:09:34 GMT

Albuquerque drivers still have cell phones pasted to their ears despite receiving 3,000 citations this year from a police department that mostly has higher priorities than enforcing the city's ban.

Cannon's state funding safe for now

Jeff Todd — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:35:50 GMT

Since 2006, $5 million of state money has been in a holding pattern over Cannon Air Force Base making it a target for budget cutters in the recent special session of the Legislature.

Court rejects pension challenge

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:34:45 GMT

New Mexico's highest court is allowing the state to continue collecting higher pension contributions from part-time governmental workers earning less than $20,000 a year.

Farmington Mayor declines another term

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:26:01 GMT

The Mayor of Farmington has decided that three terms as the city's chief executive are enough.

NM counties eligible for disaster aid

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:29 GMT

Four eastern New Mexico counties have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to counties in Texas that have been declared disaster areas due to drought and other problems.

I-25 next up for pricey makeovers

Tim Maestas — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:45:16 GMT

As $1 billion in reconstruction work on Interstate 40 through Albuquerque wraps up this month with completion of the San Mateo interchange the focus is shifting to Interstate 25.

Richardson: Tax increases inevitable

Devon Armijo — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:25:38 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., said he opposed any tax during last month's special session, but Monday he said it will be a different story in January when lawmakers meet again.

Pojoaque Gov shows work at Smithsonian

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:07:28 GMT

The governor of Pojoaque Pueblo has helped install one of his monumental bronze sculptures at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Federal courthouse nears completion

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:59:24 GMT

A $91 million new federal courthouse is nearly complete and expected to be completed in February.

Rep. Luj�n discusses health care

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:41:38 GMT

Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., talks about health care reform and other issues Congress is facing.

Still a year away, Gov race heats up

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:34:44 GMT

The election to determine New Mexico's next governor is still a year away, but those who want the top job aren't wasting any time.

Udall asks for phone service for tribes

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:47:52 GMT

Sen. Tom Udall is asking the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to share plans for providing telephone service to Native American communities.

NM to develop geothermal projects

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:40:33 GMT

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $10 million to explore geothermal energy projects in New Mexico.

Animated skunk escapes state budget ax

Dave Bohman — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:45:39 GMT

As schools and public agencies across New Mexico brace for painful budget cuts, cartoon character Pepe Le Pew is riding high on the state's Rose Parade float.

Bruce King receiving hospice care

Devon Armijo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:31:16 GMT

News 13 has learned that former New Mexico Governor Bruce King is now receiving home hospice care for his heart problems. King, 85, is one of New Mexico's legendary political figures.

Taos, Espa�ola schools get $2M grant

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:25:21 GMT

The Española and Taos school districts will receive more than $2 million in federal funds.

Feds focus on state investment figures

Michael Herzenberg — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:26:35 GMT

A federal pay-to-play investigation stretching from New York to New Mexico is looking at the relationship between a former state official and the son of a friend of Gov. Bill Richardson, KRQE News 13 has confirmed.

Cops: MVD contractor titled stolen cars

Alex Tomlin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:13:38 GMT

Bernalillo County sheriff's investigators raided a contract Motor Vehicle Division office Thursday looking for evidence an employee was paid $500 each to provide new titles for rental cars stolen in Arizona.

CYFD head predicting cruel service cuts

Dave Bohman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:20:32 GMT

Another state agency is firing off dire warnings about what will happen if 7 percent budget cuts approved by the New Mexico Legislature go through.

Smith: Federal aid could ease cuts

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:37:04 GMT

A legislative budget leader said Gov. Bill Richardson has flexibility to implement budget cuts ordered by the Legislature and could use federal stimulus money to soften the blow to agencies and programs.

Dodson: CYFD cuts would be devastating

Dave Bohman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:24:58 GMT

Dorian Dodson, the secretary of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, said Thursday that budget cuts that have passed the Legislature and are awaiting the governor's signature would be devastating to social services.

Wilson: I won't run for governor

Todd Dukart — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:52:17 GMT

Former Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced in an e-mail Thursday that she will not run for governor or any other office in 2010.

NM security projects get $43m funding

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:05:16 GMT

New Mexico national security initiatives in Los Alamos, Albuquerque and Socorro will receive $43 million in federal funding.

Budget mess may unlock prison cells

Alex Tomlin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:42:27 GMT

One of many answers to solving the state's budget shortfall may be an early out for hundreds of convicted felons now parked in prisons.