New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller officially announced his run for Albuquerque mayor Wednesday.

Keller issued a statement in the morning saying he would focus on the city’s economy and reforming the Albuquerque Police Department.

“Albuquerque is my home – I was born and raised here – and this is where my wife and I are raising our family,” Keller said in a press release. “I’m running for mayor because I believe, together, we can meet these challenges head on and build a safe, inclusive and innovative city that works for all of us.”

If elected mayor, Keller would leave an open spot in the auditor’s office, which would be filled by appointment from Gov. Susana...

SANTA FE – The Department of Veterans Services and the Department of Health proposed streamlining the State Veterans’ Home in Truth or Consequences to improve services for New Mexico’s veterans Jan. 5.

The proposal, if approved by the legislature, will move management of the State Veterans’ Home from DOH to DVS, aligning both state and federal resources to better serve veterans.

“The Department of Health and Department of Veterans Services have had a long-standing working relationship and have developed this plan to serve our veterans and their families in the best way possible,” Governor Susana Martinez said. “This transition takes an important step to improve...

ALBUQUERQUE—The annual New Mexico KIDS COUNT data book—a project of New Mexico Voices for Children—will be released on the first day of the 2017 legislative session. The annual publication presents the latest state and national data on child well-being in New Mexico in the areas of economic security, education, health, and family and community. Data are presented by county, tribal area, school district, race and ethnicity, and other demographics where available.

This year’s essay focuses on how important it is to make public investments in our children despite the state’s precarious financial situation. The release will be part of Celebrating Children and Youth Day and will...

SANTA FE – Gov. Susana Martinez announced Jan. 10 her proposal to balance the state budget, which involves moving $268.5 million from various state agencies.

“This is a responsible budget that reduces the size of government while at the same time protects the progress we’ve made in diversifying our economy, reforming our education system, and keeps our communities safe,” Martinez said in a press release.

The proposal includes taking $120 million from public education in funds that Martinez’s press release referred to as “slush funds.”

Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, told NM Political Report that the proposal is a “starting point for negotiation purposes,” but that...