New Mexico

New Mexico lifts debt-based suspensions of driver’s licenses for 100,000 residents

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2023

FILE – New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks during a news conference in Santa Fe, N.M., April 7, 2023. New Mexico’s motor vehicle division announced Wednesday, July 26, that it has lifted the suspension of driver’s licenses for more than 100,000 residents. Bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in March called for an end to the widespread practice of suspending driver’s licenses for failure to pay a fine or failure to appear in court. At least 23 other states have taken similar steps to end debt-based suspensions of driver’s licenses that can make it harder for individuals to pay off debts and care for their families.

Morgan Lee/AP

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s motor vehicle division has lifted the suspension of driver’s licenses for more than 100,000 residents under new anti-poverty legislation, officials announced Wednesday.

Bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in March called for an end to the widespread practice of suspending driver’s licenses for failure to pay a fine or failure to appear in court.

At least 23 other states have taken similar steps to end debt-based suspensions of driver’s licenses that can make it harder for individuals to pay off debts and care for their families.

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The New Mexico law does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses nor suspensions for other reasons related to dangerous driving or accumulated traffic violations.

License suspensions also have been cleared for more than 160,000 out-of-state drivers with New Mexico citations, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department said in a news release. New Mexico will notify other states.

The changes leave underlying citations and fines on drivers’ records. There is no fee under the new law to reinstate a driver’s license after a suspension is lifted, though payments may be required for licenses that expired while under suspension.

Sponsors of the law, including Republican state Sen. Crystal Diamond of Elephant Butte and Democratic state Rep. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos, say debt-based license suspensions are counterproductive.

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New Mexico

New Mexico lacks EV charging stations in rural and tribal areas

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1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

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New Mexico lacks EV charging stations in rural and tribal areas

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New Mexico

NMDOJ issues report on NMSU hazing case

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Justice released a report on its investigation into alleged cases of sexual assault and hazing within the New Mexico State University men’s basketball program during the 2022-23 season.

The NMDOJ issued a report accusing the NMSU men’s basketball program of failing to protect student-athletes and having a “pervasive culture of misconduct,” leading to the cancellation of the season.

The report stems from an investigation into alleged hazing and sexual assault incidents within the NMSU men’s basketball program back then, which led to the cancellation of the season.

In April 2023, two players sued the school, players and coaches, accusing multiple players of sexually assaulting them multiple times over several months – and accusing the coaches of not stepping in. In November 2023, a grand jury indicted Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., and Doctor Bradley on criminal charges.

Bradley and Aiken each took a plea deal. Aiken agreed to testify against Washington as a part of his deal.

The NMDOJ blames the alleged assaults on an environment characterized by a toxic culture within the program. They allege people close to the team missed “opportunities to observe and intervene” and that student safety programs didn’t do enough “to deter or address this behavior.” They cited “lax oversight, inconsistent discipline, and inadequate preventative measures.”

“This report is intended to shine a light not only on the specific misconduct by members of NMSU’s basketball team but also the institutional deficiencies that allowed that misconduct to go unaddressed by leaders inside the university,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said. “While NMSU has made commendable progress since these incidents occurred, more must be done to ensure accountability and prevent future harm.”

The NMDOJ called on NMSU to:

Develop written guidelines for collaborations between athletics, institutional equity office and the dean
Institute recurring Title IX and anti-hazing training for all students and staff
Enforce “disciplinary measures for student-athletes based on the severity of misconduct”
Strengthen standards for recruiting practices and coach and player vetting
Ensure senior leadership “prioritizes and adequately funds” safety initiatives and programming
Establish a center “dedicated to sexual violence education, prevention, and victim advocacy”

The NMDOJ is calling on the New Mexico Legislature to pass anti-hazing legislation. According to them, New Mexico is one of six states that lacks this.

They also identified seven critical areas of concern:

Institutional governance and student engagement
Policies
Reporting mechanisms
Training
Athletics Department culture and recruiting practices
Resources for sexual assault victims
Interdepartmental coordination.

You can read the full NMDOJ report here.

Here is the letter the NMDOJ sent to NMSU:

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New Mexico

New Mexico chipmunk listed as ‘endangered’ in southeast region – Ruidoso News

Published

17 hours ago

December 20, 2024

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New Mexico chipmunk listed as ‘endangered’ in southeast region – Ruidoso News

A Penasco least chipmunk is pictured. Jim Stuart /New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Adrian HeddenCarlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com A chipmunk the federal government believed could go extinct in southeast New Mexico was given the highest level of protection, while land…