Latest news with #RioRancho
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Progress made on capital outlay projects but billions of dollars still unused
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – There's some progress, but billions of dollars earmarked for projects around the state are still sitting unused. It's been an ongoing issue lawmakers have been vocal about: billions of dollars in outstanding capital outlay funds. 'It's getting out of hand. There's no other way to put it,' said Sen. George Muñoz, a Democrat from Gallup, in a Senate Finance Committee meeting last year. Story continues below Crime: Two ABQ police officers placed on leave in critical pedestrian crash on Central Real Estate: 'Nothing short of a personal resort' luxury property listed for $12M in Santa Fe National: 'I'm sincerely sorry': Billy Joel cancels all concerts due to brain disorder diagnosis In November 2024, there was $5.8 billion in outstanding capital outlay funds, spanning 5,300 projects. A new Legislative Finance Committee report from this month shows there is now $5.4 billion in outstanding funds spanning 4,700 projects. Some of those projects and unused funding include $33 million for a new magistrate court in Santa Fe, more than $4 million for a Paseo Del Norte Expansion, and $7 million for Department of Finance and Administration housing projects. 'There's some progress, but we're sitting there with over $5 billion that could be going into our economy and being used,' said Sen. Craig Brandt, a republican from Rio Rancho and ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee. He said two factors leading to the issue are inflation costs and funding projects too early. 'But there's also part of the problem that a lot of these projects aren't ready to actually get funding,' he said. Another factor, in addition to piecemeal funding, is the reauthorization of funds. This past session in SB425, lawmakers reauthorized 326 capital outlay projects authorized in previous years from various funds. The governor vetoed 97 of those, mostly targeting projects originally given funding in 2022 that they haven't used. To improve the outstanding funds in the interim, the LFC said lawmakers can modify the request system to better vet projects and their readiness. It also suggests limiting how many times a project can get money reauthorized, which is something Senator Brandt is on board with. 'I think that's the only way…this is going to quit happening is for us to say, there's no more reauthorizations, we're not doing them anymore,' said Sen. Brandt. Click here to find the full LFC report. The next legislative session begins on January 2, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CNM breaks ground on transportation technology center
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – Local students pursuing a future in skilled trades will soon have an easier pathway into a career. Thursday morning, Central New Mexico Community College and Rio Rancho Public Schools broke ground on a new state-of-the-art transportation technology center on the RioTech campus. Gilman Tunnels in Santa Fe National Forest re-open to the public Once the center is complete, CNM will move its automotive and electric vehicle technology programs to the campus. This comes after the first RioTech campus building opened last month, offering programs in welding, plumbing, carpentry, and more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rio Rancho City Council rejects ordinance that would allow state to run city elections
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – Should Rio Rancho hand over its city-run election to the county and state? That question took center stage and drew strong opinions at Rio Rancho City Council this week as the potential shift would allow Rio Rancho Mayor Greg Hull to run for governor but also extend his current term in office an extra year and a half. Rio Rancho City Council delays vote on development after contentious meeting Just one of nine cities in New Mexico to do it, Rio Rancho still runs its own city elections with voters picking local officials in March of even-numbered years. But a change up for consideration this week would give city election control to the county and state. The potential shift would move the city's election to November in odd-numbered years while also extending the terms of current officials, including Mayor Greg Hull. His term is supposed to end in March, and he's planning to run for governor. The consideration of an election control shift comes as they've gotten more expensive under state law requiring more polling places. City administrators think they could save nearly half a million per election by handing election control to the county and state. The idea drew strong opinions. 'I get it is about money, you guys know how to cut costs, you do it all the time, we see it, so let's not talk about the money,' said Michael Farrell, Rio Rancho resident. 'Threats of extortionary costs by state officials to force municipalities to fold is unacceptable,' said Ramona Goolsby, Rio Rancho resident. Rio Rancho voters approved a rule in 2012 that requires photo ID for municipal elections. But if the city gave up control, that rule would also go away drawing strong feelings from some.'If go on a plane, go to the bank to do a transaction everywhere, you require a photo ID. For us to now to take steps back when everyone has waved the flag, we are helping with voter integrity,' said Anita Levo, Rio Rancho resident. After Mayor Hull recused himself from the discussion and vote, city councilors ended with a 3-3 tie on the potential election change, meaning the ordinance failed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cooler and rainier weather heading into the weekend
Yesterday's winds have thankfully calmed down quite a bit. While the weather may be calmer, it is also much cooler. Incredibly strong wind gusts were seen across the entire state throughout the day yesterday. The Sierra Blanca Airport reported 73 mph wind gusts. The highest reported wind gusts in New Mexico yesterday. The rest of the state saw a variety of valued ranging from 50-65 mph through the afternoon. Forecast Continues Below Sports: Rio Rancho baseball player accused of urinating in opponent's water jug Don't Miss: New Mexico businesses slow to accept mobile ID program Crime: Second trial begins against former APD officer accused of false imprisonment Today, these winds are much calmer for most. The southwest could still see some gusty winds this afternoon. However, they are only expected to reach 50 mph this afternoon. The elevated winds could result in limited visibility through blowing dust and increased fire risk. The National Weather Service has issued several Blowing Dust Advisories and Red Flag Warnings for the southwest. These alerts will be in place until 6 p.m. Wednesday April 2nd. A spring storm system is set to move into the southwest tomorrow afternoon. This storm will be drawing up plenty of upper level moisture into New Mexico. This storm system will be bringing widespread rain and higher elevation snowfall to New Mexico. This precipitation will largely be rolling into the state Thursday evening. The widespread showers will be in place Friday through Saturday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
