Also, Rep Larry Larranaga will provide brief commentary on HB 482, the bill he carried to reduce some unemployment insurance benefits.

The BASH will give the opportunity to network with many business and community leaders – You won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet face to face with these and many other elected/appointed officials who have confirmed their attendance: Senators Mark Moores and Mary Kay Papen, Representatives Larry Larranaga, Bill Rehm, and Dennis Roch, Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson, Sandoval County Commissioner and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for NM Higher Education Dept Glenn Walters, Village of Tijeras Councilors David Wilson and Maxine Wilson, State Fair Commissioner Larry Kennedy and former State Representative and Albuquerque City Councilor Janice Arnold-Jones.

Thank you to our BASH Sponsor: New Mexico American Fire Sprinkler Association

Tax Hike in Dona Ana: Dona Ana County Commissioners voted to increase the gross receipts tax by 3/8 of 1 percent last Tuesday, despite voters rejecting two similar hikes at the polls in the last 19 months. This GRT increase is in place to compensate for the phase out of hold harmless payments made by the state. The increase was voted by the commission 4-1 in favor, with Commissioner Ben Rawson as the only opposed. Read more HERE.

Price Decline Hits Oil Patch: Up to 2,000 jobs could be lost in New Mexico’s oil and gas industry in the coming months because of sharp declines in the price of crude oil, according to estimates by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Read more HERE.

Hobbs Sees Growth, but Exodus from New Mexico Continues: Recent growth in the Hobbs area is attributed to the oil boom and mining activity. The rest of the state is seeing dwindling population. Read more HERE.