New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and Democrats remain at odds over how to get an extension on REAL ID requirements amid a looming deadline. Leaders of the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-led Senate met this week on crafting a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security but no agreement has been reached. Federal officials want Martinez and lawmakers to promise they will pass a REAL ID compliant law during the upcoming session. If New Mexico doesn't pass a REAL ID compliant law, holders of state driver's licenses could find they are unable to use them for some federal purposes. Democratic leaders say they are ready to send a joint letter with Republicans that outlines general principles for a compromise. GOP leaders said they writing their own version.
Meanwhile, Governor Martinez is indicating she will add the so-called right-to-work debate to the agenda for the upcoming legislative session. She made the announcement Thursday during a panel discussion before a crowded room of business leaders, elected officials, higher education representatives and others who gathered for an Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The governor calling it a “no-brainer,” saying adopting a right-to-work law would make the state more competitive when it comes to attracting businesses. Business leaders argued many out-of-state companies don't even consider New Mexico as a possible place to do business because it lacks such a law. Under the measure that failed to pass last year, nonunion employees would not have had to pay union fees as a condition of employment.
Newly released police video shows former Governor Bill Richardson feigning ignorance briefly before acknowledging to a Santa Fe Police officer that he rear ended another car at low speed and did not pull over. The City of Santa Fe released the lapel-camera video on Thursday in response a request by The Associated Press. In the video Richardson initially asks a police officer if he had hit someone while driving. The officer tells Richardson of the accident and points out damage to Richardson's bumper. Richardson then acknowledges that he lightly hit another car. A witness identified Richardson's yellow Jeep after the fender bender Wednesday morning at 8:10 a.m. in downtown Santa Fe. That helped police track down the former U-S Presidential candidate and U.S. diplomat nearby.
The top elections official in New Mexico's most populous county is running again for the Democratic Party's nomination for secretary of state. Maggie Toulouse Oliver making the announcement Thursday. This will mark Oliver's second run for the office. She was defeated in 2014 by Republican incumbent Dianna Duran, who resigned from the position last year after being prosecuted for using campaign donations to fuel a gambling addiction.
Oliver has been vocal in recent months about the need to boost transparency within the state's campaign finance reporting system. She has said any reforms will require clear, consistent regulations that are enforceable.
Republican Brad Winter is currently serving as secretary of state after being appointed by Governor Martinez following Duran's resignation. Winter says he has no intention of running for the position.
The only commercial airline company at Four Corners Regional Airport is planning to close its maintenance operations, though it will continue passenger service. The Farmington Daily Times reports that Great Lakes Airlines will lay off 17 workers in its plane maintenance hangar by the end of the month. Officials say the airline has maintenance operations in Cheyenne and Denver. About eight of the laid off workers have been offered transfers to Denver.
The company will continue operating its two to five flights per day at the Four Corners Regional Airport. Airport Manager Mike Lewis says a new federal rule that increased the number of hours co-pilots must have before they can fly is putting a strain on the airline.
New Mexico State University is seeking a tax refund for its out-of-state athletic events from December 2011 through 2014. The Albuquerque Journal reports the school filed a lawsuit last week against the state and its secretary of taxation and revenue seeking nearly 300-thousand dollars plus interest for "overpayment of governmental gross receipts taxes." The suit says out-of-state games amount to interstate commerce and can be deducted from governmental gross receipts according to state statutes. The university says it erroneously paid governmental gross receipts tax on payments for out-of-state games during the three-year span and filed for a refund in June. The State Taxation and Revenue Department told the school in November that its refund was rejected. NMSU filed suit last week in Santa Fe County's First Judicial District Court.
Santa Fe Weather: Cloudy with snow showers likely—a 60-percent chance—with up to two inches of accumulation possible, and the high today 32. Tonight: Cloudy with a 50-percent chance for more snow, and the overnight low down to 19. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with a high of 32.