Just in case you missed any of the news from NM Political Report, here are our most important stories from the week.
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Ethics hearing highlights ambiguity in public finance rules, by Andy Lyman — The former Republican National Committeeman is accusing the campaign for a progressive candidate for Albuquerque city council of purposefully forging signatures and falsifying contributions.
State board rejects petition to regulate greenhouse gases, by Laura Paskus — In its opposition to the petition, the New Mexico Environment Department said the agency, and others in the state, are already taking action on the issue. But there’s no evidence that’s happening.
NM land commissioner says investment council censure is a political play, by Andy Lyman — After being censured by the State Investment Council, Commissioner Aubrey Dunn blamed fellow Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and one of her advisors for playing “political games.”
State Land Office extends grace period to Houston-based drilling companies, by Laura Paskus — Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is letting 25 Houston-based companies and their subsidiaries put off royalty payments until the end of October due to the damage from Hurricane Harvey.
Park Service group to feds: ‘Pendulum is swinging too far to the side of development, by Laura Paskus — A coalition of 1,400 retired, former and current National Park Service employees is worried about the effect of the Trump administration’s push to drill on national parks. A former superintendant at Chaco Culture National Historical Park speaks out, too.
Court says feds broke the law when delaying new royalty rule, by Laura Paskus — The new rule is estimated to have increased royalty collections by $71.9 to $84.9 million annually. But the Trump administration and other Republicans have sided with industry to repeal the rule.
Some stories from our news partners:
ABQ city councilor wants congressional investigation into ATF sting, by Jeff Proctor, New Mexico In Depth — An Albuquerque city councilor wants a congressional investigation into a federal undercover sting operation that targeted a poor, minority section of his district.
NM still tops in nation for reliance on private prisons, by Jeff Proctor, New Mexico In Depth — New Mexico incarcerates a higher percentage of inmates in privately run, for-profit prisons than any other state, according to a new analysis from the Sentencing Project.
Secret plan for New Mexico’s national monuments draws lawsuit threats, by Roz Brown, Public News Service – NM — New Mexico politicians and conservation groups say they’re ready to file lawsuits, while waiting to hear what the White House says about the fate of more than 20 national monuments.
Houston Mayor: Residents shouldn’t let ‘sanctuary cities’ law deter rescue efforts, by Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune — Earlier in the week, Houston’s mayor tried to reassure members of the city’s immigrant community to not fear seeking shelter or help.
Community Voices:
New Mexicans can help bighorn sheep recovery, by Daryl Ratajczak
Time to end school grading, by Stephanie Ly and Ellen Bernstein
Social Security works, let’s make it stronger, by David Baake
The Joe Arpaio I knew, by Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica
“Community Voices” is your platform—your opinions, your passions, your concerns. If you’d like to submit a piece for consideration, please review our contributor guidelines here.
