U.S. Senators responsible for reviewing the impact of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” say Medicaid cuts in the House proposal and further cuts proposed this week by Senate Republican leaders could force over 300 rural hospitals, including 15 in New Mexico, to close. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the leading Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, and […]
Government
Hemp haze clouds the council’s crackdown
An Albuquerque ordinance meant to ban the sale of synthetic THC-lookalike products may have missed its mark, allowing semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 and THC-A to remain legal after amendments changed the bill’s scope. The City Council passed the amended “Intoxicating Hemp Products” ordinance June 2, aiming to close a legal loophole and protect kids from […]
Albuquerque Council restores event funding, overrides two of Mayor Keller’s vetoes
Albuquerque city councilors overturned two of Mayor Tim Keller’s budget vetoes at the June 16 City Council meeting, restoring funding for events the mayor said raised legal and procurement concerns. Keller had vetoed four parts of the city’s $1.5 billion budget, saying the changes were needed to keep the budget legally sound and avoid picking […]
City Council approves deal to keep Isotopes in current home until 2039
By Abby McDonald The Albuquerque Isotopes don’t want to look for a new home and now, they won’t have to. Fresh off a sale to a new owner, the ‘Topes are staying in “The Lab” through 203 after Albuquerque’s City Council quietly and unanimously approved a deal Monday night. The council approved the Isotopes’ new […]
Commissioners commit to fully fund new PB&J family services building in the South Valley
Bernalillo County Commissioners Frank Baca and Barbara Baca have announced a major investment in the future of family support services in the South Valley. During the June 10 County Commission meeting, the two commissioners introduced and passed a resolution to fully fund a new purpose-built facility for Peanut Butter & Jelly (PB&J) Family Services on […]
Estancia is seeing increasing revenues as it plans for the upcoming fiscal year
The Town of Estancia is seeing increased gross receipts tax revenue — similar to a sales tax — as it budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Department heads met at the Estancia Public Library on Tuesday to discuss the budget. Gross receipts tax is the primary source of revenue for the town and Michelle Jones, […]
City Council greenlights sawmill deal amid community pushback
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved a quarter-billion-dollar tax break at the June 16 City Council meeting for a three-part luxury development in the Sawmill District, despite public pushback over affordable housing, fair wages and developer accountability. The City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve industrial revenue bonds for three projects, a hotel, extended-stay suites […]
Albuquerque holds Comcast accountable for months-long cable hazards
The City of Albuquerque said it is fining Comcast $500 a day for leaving exposed internet cables in Northeast Heights neighborhoods, calling the months-old hazards a safety risk. City officials say Comcast left cable and phone lines exposed at eight sites across Albuquerque — dangling from trees, stretched across driveways and taped along sidewalks. Neighbors […]
Sawmill District set for major makeover with $227M tax break proposal
City of Albuquerque officials could approve a quarter-billion-dollar tax break for a luxury hotel, apartment and retail development in the Sawmill District near Old Town. The City Council is set to vote on a proposal backed by Mayor Tim Keller to issue $227.5 million in industrial revenue bonds to help fund three developments by Sawmill […]
Haaland to speak at East Mountain Democrats meeting in Tijeras
The East Mountain Democratic Party of Sandoval County is set to host a special community meeting on June 19, featuring Deb Haaland as the guest speaker. The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cañon De Carnué Land Grant Hall, located at 340-364 NM-333 in Tijeras. Haaland, who is now […]