Democratic House Minority Leader Brian Egolf says New Mexico is seeing varying REAL ID requirements because Republicans were "unwilling to compromise" on a fix last year. The Santa Fe Democrat says that a Senate proposal creating a "two-tier" system could resolve current confusion over making New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act. The bill will allow state residents to get REAL ID compliant licenses. Others, including immigrants in the country illegally, would have had the option to keep non-REAL ID compliant identifications. A Republican plan would create REAL ID compliant licenses and allow immigrants to apply for "driving privilege cards." White Sands Missile Range and Sandia National Laboratories announced on Monday it will no longer accept just a New Mexico driver's license as a form of identification from visitors. For her part, Governor Susana Martinez's office says Democrats are to blame for new REAL ID restrictions that limit access to Sandia and White Sands Missile. Martinez spokesman Mike Lonergan says that New Mexicans are being punished by the federal government because Democratic state lawmakers refuse to repeal a law that allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain state driver's licenses
The nation's only unsalaried state legislature is considering whether it wants a steady paycheck. Legislation proposed in New Mexico ahead of the January legislative session would provide lawmakers with a salary of about 45-thousand dollars. The proposal was submitted to the state House of Representative by Republican Terry McMillan of Las Cruces. Approval looks unlikely because legislative salaries are not part of initial budget recommendations from the governor and legislature. New Mexico lawmakers receive retirement benefits and daily compensation of 163-dollars. That covers work during legislative sessions that last 30 and 60 days in alternating years as well as committee work. Per diem compensation can add up to more than 25-thousand a year in some instances.
Las Cruces police have arrested two men accused of stealing more than 180-thousand dollars from a high-ranking member of the New Mexico Senate. Police say Stephen Dale Siddall and William Samora are facing embezzlement and conspiracy charges for taking money from Senate Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen's personal, campaign and government accounts. Siddall is also facing charges of forgery, identity theft and disposing of stolen property. Siddall had served as Papen's campaign treasurer and was her longtime personal assistant. Siddall and Samora lived at Papen's home in Las Cruces. Both men were arrested Monday. Bond for Siddall was set at 75-thousand dollars while Samora was held on a 50-thousand dollar cash bond. Police began investigating in July. Detectives discovered withdrawals that dated back to 2013.
A psychiatrist has testified that a New Mexico teenager appeared "detached" and "matter of fact" when he described killing his parents and three younger siblings. Dr. Kris Mohandie said Monday that he believes Nehemiah Griego has a severe personality disorder. Mohandie also testified that Griego, now 18, said in an interview that he was abused as a boy and has heard voices since he was about eight that urged him to act violently. Prosecutors called Mohandie to testify as an expert witness during a hearing to determine whether Griego should be sentenced as a juvenile or adult. Griego was 15 when authorities say he fatally shot five family members in January 2013. He has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
Tribes in Arizona and New Mexico are sharing in more than one-million dollars in federal funding to help address homelessness among veterans. The grant money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The agencies awarded a total of nearly $6 million to 26 tribes and tribal entities. The agencies say recent statutory changes allow for American Indian veterans to use housing vouchers. Some 80 veterans in Arizona and New Mexico are expected to receive housing assistance and support services, thanks to the grants. Housing authorities on the Navajo and Hopi reservations, and the San Carlos Apache and Tohono O'odham tribes in Arizona successfully applied for the funding. Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico also benefits.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny, with a high near 38, with Wind chill values as low as minus-four. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 39.