Before we move onto the headlines for today, here is a thought for this morning; Considering Governor Richardson's stated position on "blogs," do you think the fact that Sparks gave New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan the story that had the fourth floor playing catchup half the day is any indication that there's more to the story behind Spark's departure?
Otero Mesa Battle Begins; BLM Accused Of Altering Rules
The federal government is changing the rules as it goes along when it comes to overseeing oil and gas drilling at Otero Mesa, state and environmental attorneys argued in court Tuesday.
Lawyers for Gov. Bill Richardson, Attorney General Patricia Madrid and a coalition of environmental groups squared off against the Bureau of Land Management in a three-hour hearing before U.S. District Judge Bruce Black in Albuquerque.
GOP Candidates introduce themselves in Los Alamos:
Republican political candidates Vickie Perea, Ron Dolin and David Pfeffer gave brief campaign speeches during a meeting of the Los Alamos Republican Party at Los Alamos Medical Center Thursday evening.
ABQJOURNAL: Former Official Criticizes LANL Nuke Weapon Work:
Work at Los Alamos National Laboratory to design a new nuclear weapon is really a veiled attempt to ensure future lab funding and employment, a former federal official charged Tuesday.
ABQjournal: Governor Revives Lending Debate:
SANTA FE— The effort to restrain what consumer advocates call predatory lending— one of the most hotly contested issues of last year's legislative session— returned to the Capitol on Tuesday in the form of a governor-backed bill to cap so-called payday loans.
ABQjournal: N.M. May Tap Fund For Medicare; Drug Benefit Mess Is Costing Seniors:
State officials said Tuesday they want to tap a seldom-used $3 million fund to help seniors who are navigating the chaos of the new Medicare drug benefit to buy their medications.
The benefit has spawned confusion nationwide since it began Jan. 1. Many seniors are reporting problems getting drugs through the program, state officials said Tuesday.
The biggest bottleneck, here and nationally, is determining what coverage a Medicare beneficiary has when he or she fills a prescription at a pharmacy.
Competing minimum wage proposals up for consideration
(Take the web poll at the bottom of the article) Senate President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano on Tuesday introduced a bill sought by Gov. Bill Richardson to increase the state’s minimum wage to $7.50 an hour by 2009 without an inflation-adjustment provision.
ABQJOURNAL: More than 1,800 N.M. Veterans Unable To Sign Up for Health Care
WASHINGTON — More than a quarter-million veterans considered to have higher incomes could not sign up for health care with the Veterans Affairs Department during the last fiscal year because of a cost-cutting move.
Those locked out — totaling 263,257 in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 — have no illnesses or injuries attributable to their service in the military and earn more than the average wage in their community.
New Mexico had 1,851 veterans who could not apply.
The VA suspended enrollment of such veterans beginning in January 2003 after then-VA Secretary Anthony Principi said the agency was struggling to provide adequate health care to the rapidly rising number of veterans seeking it.
Farmington Daily Times: Deputy disciplined for decision
AZTEC — A San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been suspended without pay for two days following a decision he made that led to an improper arrest, according to Sheriff Bob Melton.
Farmington Daily Times - Local News: Marijuana bill passes first hurdle
SANTA FE -- A bill to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes was unanimously endorsed by the Senate Public Affairs Committee following testimony by patients who described its use as a matter of life and death.
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