Fewer ODs in New Mexico

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health announced Dec. 28 that the state’s drug overdose death rate improved from 49th worst in the nation to 42nd. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Mexico also saw a 7 percent decline in overdose deaths from 2014 to 2015. Meanwhile, overdose deaths increased nationwide by nearly 11 percent.

“This is an issue that we’ve been focused on since day one of my administration. While we’ve made important strides, we still have a lot of work to do,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “One overdose death is one too many, which is why we’re going to continue doing everything in our...

Tilden: ‘This is not a dead issue’

After the fourth reading of an ordinance to study the impact of uranium mining, processing and exploration during a three-year moratorium, the McKinley County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 on a somewhat weakened resolution, a community member attending the meeting suggested afterward.

Commissioners Carol Bowman-Muskett and Genevieve Jackson voted in favor of the measure. Bill Lee, attending his first meeting since being elected last year, dissented. The changed language of the resolution does not address community concerns and, in a literal sense, passes the buck back to state and federal decision-makers, the community member said.

“Uranium...

Dems aim for statewide minimum wage increase

As Democrats gear up for a legislative session  after retaking the state House of Representatives and expanding their majority in the state Senate, several members are looking at ways to increase New Mexico’s minimum wage.

Two lawmakers have already pre-filed legislation to do so ahead of the session, which begins Jan. 17.

One measure would double New Mexico’s minimum wage from $7.50 an hour to $15 an hour by January 2018. Another more cautious bill ups the minimum wage to $8.45 an hour. Both measures include yearly cost-of-living adjustment increases to kick in after the increases.

Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque, is...

ALBUQUERQUE – If you are facing foreclosure or finding it hard to make your mortgage payments, Keep Your Home New Mexico, a program run by the Office of the Attorney General may be able to help. Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Dec. 29 that the program has a new toll free number: 1-800-220-0350.

By calling this number or by visiting: www.keepyourhomenewmexico.org, New Mexicans can get assistance that may help keep them in their homes.

“Foreclosure can feel like a hopeless, scary situation, but the worst thing you can do is nothing at all. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse so please contact Keep Your Home New Mexico if you need assistance,” Balderas...