House approves public meeting agenda legislation

New Mexicans will have more notice about public meetings under legislation approved by the House. 

Governmental groups, ranging from school boards, county commissions and state agencies, would be required to make their meeting agendas publicly available 72 hours in advance. 

Currently, they must give a 24-hour notice of a public meeting agenda. T

he legislation unanimously passed the House on Wednesday and goes to the Senate. Supporters say the proposed change will improve governmental transparency.

House approves public meeting agenda legislation

Gun bill clears House

More people buying firearms in New Mexico will undergo a criminal background check under legislation approved by the House. 

The measure will require background checks for private sales of handguns, rifles and shotguns at gun shows. 

The House approved the bill Wednesday on a 43-26 vote and sent it to the Senate for consideration. 

Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers, including at gun shows, but doesn't cover private gun sales. 

Supporters of the legislation contend that expanded background checks will help prevent sales of firearms to people prohibited from having them, including convicted felons and individuals with a history of mental illness.

Gun rights activists say the measure won't stop criminals from acquiring firearms.

Gun bill clears House

Swickard started in talk radio on this day in 2002

My start in daily talk radio came eleven years ago today. It likewise was a Thursday and it had nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. Rather, we wanted to try the show for Thursday and Friday and then have two days to make adjustments, if need be. Actually, we were fine.

     In the years of talk I have gained lots of stories and interviewed hundreds upon hundreds of people. The time has passed very fast but I would be remiss to not thank some people who have been essential to my development as a talk show host.
     First is the General Manager of Radio of Las Cruces who saw something in me that no one else saw. My friends thought I had lost all of my good sense stepping away from being a college professor to be a radio talker. Al Lumeyer, for better or worse, allowed me to develop into who I am on the radio. I also have been very supported by friends and family. Even when I was quite rough around the edges those first months… or years… they stuck with me.
     Most of all I could not be a talk show host if no one listened. Thank you for listening and caring.

Swickard started in talk radio on this day in 2002

New Santa Fe courthouse has something missing

From KOB-TV.com - By: Joseph Lynch, KOB Eyewitness News 4  - The Santa Fe County Courthouse hasn't opened on time or on budget. Now, after a County Commission vote last night, taxpayers are being told there's something else they might not be happy about. No parking. It's an issue for anyone at anytime in the "city different". Kathy Green has a business in the downtown area a lot. She figures it to go from bad to much worse with the court opening. "Oh, yeah. I circle the block probably three times and then I hope I have quarters," Green said. She might need a lot of quarters. There will be NO public parking at the new courthouse.
Security concerns led the Santa Fe County Commission to vote against public parking. County commissioner Liz Stefanics voted against parking. She had some advice for would be court goers. "They will need to make a little time to walk 4 or 5 blocks if there are disabled people. There will be disabled spaces in those parking garages. And they can drop off people here at the entrance."
It still doesn't set well with Melander-Dayton. "It seems to me that they should be able to address the legitimate security concerns and have a place for the public to park. This is the public’s building. You know, this is my courthouse." The new courthouse is due to open in March or April. It replaces the old courthouse, which is old and considered unsafe. Read more

New Santa Fe courthouse has something missing

The fortunate government and unfortunate governed

Commentary by Michael Swickard, Ph.D.

How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don’t think. Adolf Hitler

     I would not like to live in a society with no government at all nor a society where the government acts with tyranny. Which would I prefer? That is like asking, would I rather be shot at sunrise or sunset? In-between anarchy and tyranny is where I want to live.
     In theory, that is where we are in this country. We have a functioning government and it does not use tyranny on us citizens. A Representative Republic is free of tyranny yet protects us from anarchy. In theory.
     The legitimate role of government in a free society is to provide government services like the military that is necessary. There would not be a country without our military to keep the dogs of other countries away. Take enough from the military and countries of evil intent will come after us.
     Government is good at some things. Still, I do not want government nosing into everything I do. Much is none of their business. More important is that my elected servants not command me. The role reversal where my elected servants tell me what to do is obnoxious at best and treasonous at worst.
     That balance is further complicated by the notion of public service. In theory the reason to be in public service is to serve and make our society better. In theory, if I am a representative by, of and for the people I believe in causes that are greater than myself. I should do my work for the greater good of the society and not just myself. President John Kennedy said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Read full column

The fortunate government and unfortunate governed

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Webcast 2/12/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

                                     Listen here:

NMSU Center for the Arts opens
DOJ hold community meetings in ABQ
Heinrich joins hispanic task force 

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Webcast 2/12/13

Waiver on NM class sizes set to expire

Temporary relief provided by the state during the recession enabled school districts across New Mexico to increase class sizes as a way to cope with reduced education funding from the state. 

 That relief is about to end unless it is extended by the Legislature, and that could mean additional costs for districts even as the state is restoring some funding. 

According to the Albuquerque Journal, preliminary figures indicate the Albuquerque district might have to hire additional 300 teachers to get under the pre-waiver maximums on class sizes.

Waiver on NM class sizes set to expire

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 2/12/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

                                     Listen here:

Dona Ana County may allow fireworks
APD Sargent charged for beating wife
NM U.S Senators looking for U.S Attorney

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 2/12/13

Legislature disagrees on revenue outlook

The Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration are at odds over the state's revenue outlook.

 The Department of Finance and Administration reported Monday there's no reason to change the most recent revenue forecast calling for the state to have about $283 million available for budget increases and to offset any tax cuts in the next fiscal year.

 However, legislative staff has raised questions about the state's financial outlook and the Senate Finance Committee plans to make its budget decisions using estimates that revenue will be $24 million lower next year and $41 million lower in the current fiscal year. 

Having less money available for the budget will make it harder for Martinez to win legislative approval of corporate tax cuts she's proposed as an economic development incentive.

Legislature disagrees on revenue outlook

Compromise gun bill moves forward

A compromise bill on background checks for gun purchasers is now advancing in the New Mexico Legislature after initially being stalled.  

The bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee would require background checks for people buying guns at gun shows. That deletes the bill's original requirement to also require background checks for people buying guns in private transactions apart from gun shows. 

Currently, only people buying guns from licensed dealers must undergo background checks, regardless of the setting for those purchases. 

The bill passed the initial committee with bipartisan support on a 13-3 vote Friday night. 

The bill now must clear the House Appropriations and Finance Committee to reach the full House.

Compromise gun bill moves forward