Latest news with #KristinaOrtez
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capital outlay funding will help with projects like acequias and school safety in New Mexico
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed off on $1.2 billion dollars in capital outlay funding. It will be spread across the state, funding hundreds of projects. That includes 33 acequia improvement projects in northern New Mexico, especially after the years of fires and flooding in the area. Story continues below Business: Two big New Mexico brands up for sale as owner looks toward retirement Education: Albuquerque high school students get up-close look at big-time film production News: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham authorizes National Guard deployment to ABQ 'The Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire devastated acequias in San Miguel, Mora county. Truly, you know, when those floodwaters started to come down those mountains, it really blew out headgates. It just destroyed acequias that had been there for hundreds of years,' said Rep. Kristina Ortez (D-Taos). A huge chunk of money will pour into 49 Albuquerque public schools to make their campuses safer. They include fences cameras, and other technology to keep students and staff safe. The school district sent out this statement Friday: Taxpayers' investments in security for schools is critical in the overall educational picture, and we're gratified by the support of lawmakers. In this era, vigilance is of utmost importance and these tools give us more flexibility as we work to keep children and staff members safe on our campuses. On top of all that, $822,000 will be spent to get a sports museum off the ground. Also with the location of the New Mexico State Fair still up in the air, $14 Million has been approved for the State Fair Commission to move forward with projects they need to improve the fairgrounds while also setting aside funding for finding a new spot for the fair. $11 million dollars has been approved for improvements at the University of New Mexico's University Stadium. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Despite resistance, strategic water supply secures narrow committee approval
The so-called Strategic Water Supply, a proposal backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to treat brackish water and oil and gas byproducts for industrial uses, narrowly survived its first committee hearing despite pushback from both environmental advocates and oil and gas industry representatives. In a 5-4 vote, the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee on Tuesday advanced a committee substitute for the proposal, which would cost a total of nearly $108 million. Even among lawmakers who voted for the bill, it was hardly popular. Three of the five lawmakers who cast "yes" votes noted they may not support a similar proposal on the House floor. Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, the committee chair, said she wanted the bill to continue through the legislative process in hopes it will improve. 'I don't like it. I don't like this bill. I like some components of this bill, and I'd like for it to get better,' she said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
