Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: a roundup of the bills that passed or died during the recently concluded session of the New Mexico Legislature. Plus: a searchable list of the 360 local projects that made it through the legislature and into the 2024 state budget sent to the governor
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.19.24
The city received a $7.5-million grant/loan from USDA for a water project, but it comes with interim-financing requirements that are complicated and expensive. The USDA waits until after construction is completed before it gives the grant or loan. The grant is for $2.7 million and the loan for $4.8 million.
Read MoreT or C City Commission approves $4.8 M three-year bond debt for water project
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: New Mexico's record-setting 2025 budget has passed both legislative chambers with provisions to prevent future disruptive cuts. It is now on its way to the governor's desk to be signed or modified by line-item vetoes.
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.14.24
The MeTteORiC art event returns to TorC on the last weekend in February after a pandemic hiatus. Here's the full weekend line-up.
Read MoreMeTeORiC Event in TorC February 23 – 25
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: a critique of New Mexico's 50-Year Water Action Plan and legislative complications facing the governor's proposed Strategic Water Supply
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.13.24
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: for those who want "in the weeds" details about bills and issues under consideration by the New Mexico Legislature. Part 8 of this series lays out the ongoing debate among legislators about the kind of alcohol taxes needed to reduce consumption in a state with worst-in-the-nation rates of alcohol-related deaths.
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.12.24
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: for those who want "in the weeds" details about bills and issues under consideration by the New Mexico Legislature. Part 7 of this series provides an update on whether the governor's stalled anti-crime and gun violence package can be salvaged before the legislative session ends next week.
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.9.24
This article is a little meditation beginning with my accumulation of plain stuff and leading to thoughts on ownership, economics, property rights, equality and inequality, and the revolutionary ideas that created this country.
Read MoreIn the last eighty years
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: Three federal immigrant detention facilities in New Mexico are failing to meet basic standards, but Republican Senators with the concurrence of some Democratic allies yesterday rejected a detention ban.
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.7.24
We, the poor rate payers whose water rates have gone up about 80 percent in the last five years, hope the city gets both of these legislative requests, otherwise rates are going to go up even more, according to T or C Mayor Rolf Hechler.
Read MoreWeighing the likelihood of getting $20M and $16M from legislature for water system failures
Today's intelligence from state and/or national reporting: for those who want "in the weeds" details about bills and issues under consideration by the New Mexico Legislature. Part 6 of this series reports on proposals to lengthen legislative sessions.
Read MoreStuff you need to know, 2.5.24
Most of the things in life which bring a smile to our face are simple. There is nothing better than watching the play of toddler or a young pup to remind us of the simple joys.
Read MoreWhy