An Albuquerque City Council committee unanimously approved a measure Thursday supporting continued federal oversight of public lands in the area, timing the vote just ahead of National Public Lands Day. The Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee advanced Memorial M-25-5, which expresses the council’s backing for federal stewardship of lands, including the Sandia Ranger District […]
Category: Local Gov.
Posted inLocal Gov.
Albuquerque cuts public records backlog below 1,000 for first time since 2023
The City of Albuquerque has reduced its backlog of public records requests to fewer than 1,000 for the first time since June 2023, while resolving more than 65% of all requests within 20 days, city officials announced. The improvements come as the city received more than 15,900 requests in fiscal year 2025, a 13% increase […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Photo of the day: Mayor Keller takes virtual tour of Albuquerque’s future
Mayor Tim Keller gets a virtual reality glimpse of the future Uptown Connect project during the development’s launch event on Thursday. The innovative mixed-use development promises to link affordable housing with public transportation, employment opportunities, and entertainment in Albuquerque’s Uptown area. Check back tomorrow for a full story on Uptown Connect, a $120 million mixed-use […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
After governor’s veto, Albuquerque gets $21.8 million in homeless funding with strings attached
Albuquerque will add 183 homeless shelter beds and 204 senior apartments after the City Council approved $21.8 million in state funding last week, with some unusual oversight requirements. The funding, deferred from the Sept. 3 meeting for a required second public hearing, comes with weekly progress reports and detailed operational plans that Councilor Dan Lewis […]
Posted inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County backs state action to counter federal tax bill impact
Bernalillo County commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday urging state lawmakers and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to protect residents from anticipated federal spending cuts during a special legislative session beginning Oct. 1. The resolution addresses concerns about the federal H.R. 1 bill, which county officials say will reduce funding for healthcare, nutrition programs and emergency services […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Sobriety required: Albuquerque tests housing program for residents leaving rehab
Albuquerque is trying something new in its fight against homelessness. On Sept. 15, the Albuquerque City Council voted unanimously to launch the city’s first housing voucher program that requires people to stay sober. Resolution R-25-179 establishes a one-year pilot program, called the Continuing Sobriety Housing Voucher Program. It will cover rent for 25 people leaving […]
Posted inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County Commissioners to address legislative priorities, National Recovery Month
Bernalillo County commissioners will convene Tuesday night to establish policy priorities for the upcoming New Mexico Legislature special session and recognize National Recovery Month during their administrative meeting. The Board of County Commissioners, led by Chair Eric Olivas, will meet at 5 p.m. in the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers to consider an administrative resolution outlining […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Dispute heats up over publication of Inspector General fraud reports
The head of Albuquerque’s oversight committee is pushing back against accusations that it violated city law by delaying Inspector General reports. Victor Griego, who chairs the Accountability in Government Oversight Committee (AGOC), said the group acted within its authority to make sure the reports were solid. In a Sept. 17 response to District 5 Councilor […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Albuquerque city council passes $75,000 home repair loans for low-income homeowners
The average Albuquerque home is 44 years old, and a lot of families can’t cover the big repair bills that come with aging houses. On Sept. 15, the City Council approved a program to help, passing the measure 5-3. The Preserving Albuquerque Through Critical Housing (PATCH) program will provide up to $75,000 in forgivable loans […]
Posted inNew Mexico
Contractors push back on immigrant detention center closures
The companies that manage the three New Mexico immigrant detention centers are pushing back against a new report that recommends closing those facilities due to concerns over the alleged mistreatment of detainees and unsafe conditions. Last week, the New Mexico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a report entitled “Civil Rights […]