Sen. John C. Ryan, R-Bernalillo

It took the Senate Committee on Committees more than a half-hour to get a quorum, but once they did, business was short, sweet and—gasp!—efficient. The only problem is that efficiency sometimes means getting rid of good ideas.

Today, the casualties included SB 220, a bill introduced by Sen. John C. Ryan, R-Bernalillo, to prohibit the state from defending public employees when (a) the state is also the plaintiff or (b) action is brought under the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act.

In presenting the bill, Ryan cited the ongoing Foy v. Vanderbilt pay-to-play case, in which Ryan says the state’s defense lawyers are refusing to release documents that would help Foy’s case. In that sense, Ryan told SFR in an interview after the committee meeting, SB 220 would allow for more transparency by disengaging the state from legal battles with itself. Continue reading »

Perhaps you saw the ad for CB McCarty of the Steve Miller Band and his new band Magdelayna’s Dream in the paper. This ad said the band would be playing on Saturday, when in reality, this totally worth-your-time show is on Friday, Jan. 29!  You may recall that not only has McCarty put together that awesome Heart of Santa Fe benefit compilation album, but he put together that excellent Have a Heart For Haiti benefit show at the Cowgirl the other night.

Look, this guy has given so much of himself to the community, that the time is ripe to repay the favor. Grab anyone you can and head up Canyon Road to check it out. Do it. Seriously. Do it. Now. Plan on it. Make it happen. Do what I say. Besides, McCarty is a great musician, and it would be sweet to see what he’s cooked up.

…when it snows, at least.

(More snow-day photos after the jump.) Continue reading »

Are we to assume this doesn’t count as an in-kind contribution because anyone can do it?

On Jan. 20, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that “law-enforcement organizations haven’t expressed outright opposition” to a bill that would prevent convicted domestic violence offenders from becoming police officers.

SFR called it “The No Shit, Sherlock Act of 2010.”

However, the New Mex reported, the police organizations have some reservations—including the fear that officers could be decertified just for yelling at their wives.

But as New Mexico Domestic Violence Czar Sharon Pino tells SFR, law enforcement is effectively opposing the bill, HB 17. Pino says the New Mexico Police & Sheriff’s Association is fighting the bill, as is the New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police.

More on the DV bill—plus a video of what is likely the most horrific story told inside the Roundhouse so far this session—after the cut.

Continue reading »