Gun buyback names released in error

Buy back or sell the pistol, that is the question

NewsNM Swickard - So much for trusting your government, eh? From KRQE-TV.com - SANTA FE - A unique solution to a shortage of gift cards and a big mistake led to the personal information of dozens who participated in Santa Fe's gun buyback program open to the public. "It shouldn't have happened, but it did," said Santa Fe Police Department Chief Raymond Rael. "I apologize on behalf of the city, I don't think that information should've been out there."
It all started Jan. 12 at a Saturday gun buyback . The city planned to give out prepaid Visa gift cards to anyone who brought in a gun. No names were to be taken and the gun owner would get $100 for rifles and shotguns, $150 for handguns and $200 for assault weapons.
SFPD budgeted $20,000, but there were more people with guns than the city had gift cards for. So to keep those guns from going back onto the street, SFPD says it gave those waiting in line an option. Either come back at the next event in February, or we'll give you an IOU if you waive some anonymity.
When SFPD went to the city for $33,000 for a third gun buyback scheduled for March, it provided the city with a list of information, including a list of the 92 people it owed money to from the first two gun buybacks. That information also included addresses and phone numbers along with what weapons the city bought from the person. Then the Finance Department put that information in a packet for the Santa Fe City Council making it public record.
Among the 92 names was Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe. Records show he sold the city two handguns and an assault rifle at the January buyback. Read more

Gun buyback names released in error

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Jemez River Watershed to be studied
Valles Caldera land dispute goes to court
Police dog protection bill move to House 

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Webcast 2/20/13

Bill to protect police dogs moves to House

The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would go a long way toward protecting police dogs. 

The legislation would release $350,000 from the state Law Enforcement Protection Fund to purchase bulletproof vests for dogs in local police departments.

 In the Bernalillo County Sheriff's K9 unit there are eight dogs. Four of them have vests, thanks to donations. Half of them make do without.  

The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.

Bill to protect police dogs moves to House

Democrats stall social promotion bill

Majority Democrats in the New Mexico House are scuttling education legislation that's a priority for Gov. Susana Martinez. 

A party-line vote Monday by the House Education Committee tabled a bill to provide reading remediation and hold back most third-graders who aren't proficient in reading. 

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mary Helen Garcia is intended to halt social promotion. 

Social promotion is a practice in which students are promoted to higher grades even if they're not doing well enough academically.

Democrats stall social promotion bill

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Dept. of Transportation gets funds under proposal
DWI march at the Capitol today
Min. wage bill stalls 

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DWI victims to march at Roundhouse

Nearly 600 people will gather at the Capitol building today to honor and remember DWI victims and their families. 

Wednesday will be acknowledged as DWI Awareness Day in the legislature.

 At noon, people from all over the state - of all ages and occupations - will join together to stand in silence and then march around the roundhouse. People will also wear red arm bands to show their solidarity. 

The group also wants to spread awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.

 It will be the fourth year for the March of Sorrow. It began after four teenagers were suddenly killed by a drunk driver in Santa Fe. 

DWI victims to march at Roundhouse

Min. wage protestors visit malt shop

Protestors gathered outside of the Route 66 Malt Shop Tuesday to picket the restaurant for refusing to pay its employees Albuquerque’s minimum wage.

  The protestors are also calling on a boycott until the owner complies with the city ordinance. 

Albuquerque voters overwhelmingly decided to increase the city’s minimum wage during the general election in November.  The wage hike went into effect in January.  

Owner Eric Szeman told the protestors “I will go out of business and twelve people will lose their jobs.” 

Protestors also argued that Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is turning his head the other way by choosing not to enforce the law that Albuquerque voters decided.

Min. wage protestors visit malt shop

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Proposed budget includes 1% pay increase
Malt shop sees min. wage protestors
Social promotion bill stalls 

Newsbreak New Mexico 8 a.m. Webcast 2/20/13

Budget proposal includes 1% pay raise

State workers and educators will receive a 1 percent pay raise next year under a nearly $5.9 billion budget proposal that's heading to the House for debate.  

The measure provides for a spending increase of $239 million or slightly more than 4 percent in the fiscal year starting in July. 

The Appropriations and Finance Committee approved the budget on Tuesday with three Democrats opposing the measure because of concerns about proposed education spending. 

Republicans supported the bill.

Budget proposal includes 1% pay raise