By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors last year avoided several proposed fee increases for popular amenities. Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 brings back one notable increase for a second try: He’s floating a $1 hike for admission to the BioPark. Last year, the City Council kept in place a $5-per-ticket increase […]
Local Gov.
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It’s budget time in Albuquerque again
By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller proposed a $1.5 billion city budget for fiscal year 2026 earlier this month, kicking off the annual budget process in the city. Now, the city council will start its process, which includes public participation, to finalize a budget before the end of May. Thursday will be the first […]
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Mayor’s proposed budget calls for 1,100 cops
By Rodd Cayton Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget returns to a recurring theme: Albuquerque needs to have more police officers on the streets. The $1.9 billion spending plan goes before a City Council committee Thursday, as the annual budget process starts its final stretch. More money in the proposed budget — almost $287 million — […]
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Keller slams Trump immigration order
The Donald Trump administration stepped up its attempt to make state and local governments help with enforcing immigration laws with another executive order this week. The executive order prompted a sharp rebuke from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. Keller said the order was an attempt to “extort immigrant-friendly cities like ours.” The executive order is aimed […]
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City launches basic income payments program
By Rodd Cayton A new guaranteed basic income (GBI) program in Albuquerque is distributing its first monthly payments. City leaders say the $750 payments will provide financial relief to struggling residents and underscore Albuquerque’s commitment to economic equity and financial empowerment. The first payments went out last week. The money is unrestricted, and participants were […]
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City council looking at federal housing cuts
By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors will soon consider an action plan required to secure federal housing aid. One councilor, however, is concerned about when and whether the city will see that money. District 6 Councilor Nichole Rogers said Trump administration actions have placed a cloud of uncertainty around the city’s funding from the U.S. […]
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Keller, White lead in earliest days of qualifying for public financing
By Matthew Reichbach Those seeking the position of Mayor of Albuquerque could begin gathering signatures and collecting qualifying contributions for public financing last Saturday. In the first week, three candidates have received over 250 qualifying contributions of the 3,780 needed. The qualifying contributions are $5. Candidates looking for the $755,946 in public dollars still have […]
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Film studio, supplement expansions approved by council
By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors approved a pair of economic development projects expected to bring dozens of jobs to the city’s west side. Mesa Media Group got the OK to build on a 60-acre plot adjacent to Double Eagle II Airport. According to a city news release, the company will expand its production ability, […]
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City Council approves funding for two housing projects
By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors are continuing to try to reduce a housing shortage in the city that has reached the level of thousands of units. Monday night, the council approved more than $9 million for the Somos and Farolito Senior Community housing developments as construction costs increase. Most of the money, $6.1 million, […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Local Gov.
Councilors want more info on National Guard role
By Rodd Cayton The impending deployment of National Guard troops on the streets of Albuquerque has drawn questions from some city councilors, including two who represent areas in which they will be deployed. Councilor Nichole Rogers said her phones and emails have been “blowing up” about the National Guard, after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan […]