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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez Calls for Hearing on Private Equity Impact on Manufactured Housing Communities

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez Calls for Hearing on Private Equity Impact on Manufactured Housing Communities

U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) has urged the House Financial Services Committee to conduct a hearing regarding the influence of institutional investors on Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs) nationwide. Alongside five other members, Congressman Vasquez sent a letter to Chairman French Hill (R-AR) and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), highlighting reports from MHC residents. These residents have described experiencing significant rent increases, neglect of utilities, and general abuse after private equity firms acquired their communities. Vasquez emphasized that while Congress recently passed a bipartisan housing bill addressing institutional investors' role in single-family homes, it did not include similar protections for manufactured housing. He noted that local leaders and constituents in New Mexico have reported predatory pricing and maintenance neglect in mobile and manufactured home communities owned by corporate landlords and private equity companies. Instances include elderly resid...
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New Mexico Church Property from 1860s Listed for Under $700K, Offering Income Potential

New Mexico Church Property from 1860s Listed for Under $700K, Offering Income Potential

New Mexico Church Property from 1860s Listed for Under $700K, Offering Income Potential
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Governor Hochul Announces $18.6 Million for Downtown Albany Revitalization Projects, Including Office-to-Residential Conversions

Governor Hochul Announces $18.6 Million for Downtown Albany Revitalization Projects, Including Office-to-Residential Conversions

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced significant progress in New York State's $400 million Championing Albany's Potential (CAP) initiative, allocating over $18.6 million to ten strategic projects aimed at revitalizing downtown Albany. These projects, leveraging nearly $97.5 million in additional private and public investments, will create almost 300 new housing units. Key initiatives include the conversion of vacant or underutilized office buildings into residential spaces. For instance, the six-story office building at 39 North Pearl Street, which is 97% vacant, will be converted into 43 multi-family residential units. Another project involves transforming the historic high-rise at 54 State Street from offices into 120 residential apartments. Additionally, the Liberty Park district, an eight-acre gateway to downtown Albany, will undergo a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment led by Columbia Development and Galesi Group, featuring new office space, housing, retail, and green spaces. An extra $21 million wi...
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Knox County Commission Approves Workforce Housing Tax Break Despite Opposition

Knox County Commission Approves Workforce Housing Tax Break Despite Opposition

The Knox County Commission has approved a tax break for a workforce housing development in South Knoxville, despite significant opposition from the district's county commissioner, Andy Fox. The vote was 7-4 in favor of the tax incentive. The developer, Dominion Group, will receive a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, which freezes the property's tax value for a specified period. Under this unique arrangement, Dominion will pay 50% of the property taxes owed over 20 years. Commissioner Fox reported widespread concern from residents of District 9 regarding the tax break, stating there was "unequivocal, outspoken opposition." The project aims to reserve half of its townhomes for residents earning 80% to 120% of the area's median income, which is $99,375 for a family of four in Knox County. These residents will receive a $208 rent reduction, while the remaining units will be rented at market rates. The property, located on John Sevier Highway, is currently vacant.
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New Mexico House Republicans Urge Governor Grisham to Halt Firearm Waiting Period Enforcement After Federal Ruling

New Mexico House Republicans Urge Governor Grisham to Halt Firearm Waiting Period Enforcement After Federal Ruling

New Mexico House Republicans are calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez to cease enforcement of the state's seven-day firearm waiting period. This demand follows a federal court ruling in the case of Ortega v. Lujan Grisham, where the Tenth Circuit found the waiting period to conflict with the Second Amendment. Subsequently, the district court issued a ruling blocking enforcement of the waiting period against the plaintiffs in the case. House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong emphasized that the Constitution applies to all New Mexicans, not just those who filed the lawsuit, and urged the administration to acknowledge the constitutional issue identified by the courts. Lawmakers are seeking clarification on the state's enforcement position and guidance for law enforcement, district attorneys, and firearm dealers across New Mexico.
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Inmate escapes from federal prison near Tucson

Inmate escapes from federal prison near Tucson

A inmate escaped from a federal prison near Tucson on Sept. 2 and was being sought by law enforcement.
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Americas Uranium Acquires Treeline Property in New Mexico to Expand North American Uranium Assets

Americas Uranium Acquires Treeline Property in New Mexico to Expand North American Uranium Assets

Americas Uranium Acquires Treeline Property in New Mexico to Expand North American Uranium Assets
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Rio Rancho Residents Challenge City's Use of Flock Safety Camera Network

Rio Rancho Residents Challenge City's Use of Flock Safety Camera Network

Four residents of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, have urged the city's governing body to discontinue its contract with Flock Safety, the vendor for the city's automated license plate reader (ALPR) network. The network, which has expanded to 19 cameras citywide, records every passing license plate. Residents argue that this constitutes warrantless mass surveillance and an infringement on privacy, with Joaquin Montoya of DeFlock New Mexico stating it creates a 'database of the innocent.' Matt Griffin called for more transparency regarding data access and storage, while Chris Adams expressed concern about building surveillance infrastructure that future governments could inherit. Another resident cited a Fourth Amendment violation. In response, Mayor Paul Wymer acknowledged the criticism but also noted receiving feedback from other residents who are content with the surveillance systems. Rio Rancho Police reported to councilors on August 18 that the cameras contributed to the recovery of 74 stolen vehicles, 50 stole...
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Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Closes Unser Boulevard in Rio Rancho

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Closes Unser Boulevard in Rio Rancho

Unser Boulevard NE in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, was closed in both directions on Monday morning due to a fatal single-vehicle crash. The incident occurred between Paseo Del Volcan and King Boulevard NE. Rio Rancho Police responded to the scene shortly after 4:30 AM. Preliminary details from the police indicate that one person involved in the crash was pronounced deceased at the scene. The exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Authorities advised drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while the investigation and cleanup were underway. Later reports indicated that southbound Unser Boulevard had reopened, but the investigation into the cause of the fatal crash is ongoing.
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New Mexico House Republicans Urge Governor and Attorney General to Halt Firearm Waiting Period Enforcement After Federal Court Ruling

New Mexico House Republicans Urge Governor and Attorney General to Halt Firearm Waiting Period Enforcement After Federal Court Ruling

New Mexico House Republicans are calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez to cease enforcement of the state's seven-day firearm waiting period. This demand follows a recent federal court ruling in the case of Ortega v. Lujan Grisham, where the Tenth Circuit found the waiting period to be in conflict with the Second Amendment. Subsequently, a district court issued a ruling blocking enforcement of the waiting period against the plaintiffs in the case. House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong emphasized that the constitutional issue identified by the courts should be recognized by the state administration, rather than requiring more law-abiding citizens to pursue legal action to protect their Second Amendment rights. The Republicans have sent a letter to the Governor and Attorney General, seeking clarification on the state's enforcement position and guidance for law enforcement, district attorneys, and firearm dealers across New Mexico.
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New Mexico Sues U.S. Customs and Border Protection Over Alleged Illegal Water Well Drilling Near Southern Border

New Mexico Sues U.S. Customs and Border Protection Over Alleged Illegal Water Well Drilling Near Southern Border

The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and three of its contractors. The lawsuit alleges unauthorized groundwater drilling in three basins near the state's southern border: Mimbres, Hachita, and Lower Rio Grande. According to KOAT legal expert John Day, this is one of the most direct lawsuits he can recall where the federal government is accused of 'stealing our water.' State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson emphasized her agency's commitment to protecting New Mexico's water resources, water rights holders, and water users, describing the situation as 'uncharted territory.' The lawsuit highlights that groundwater resources in these areas are 'finite' and crucial for the livelihoods of New Mexicans, including ranchers and farmers. This legal action follows a trend of states and tribal entities challenging federal border-related activities, such as a recent lawsuit by a Native community in southern Arizona against the Department of Homeland...
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California Awards $10 Million to Boost Factory-Built Housing for Affordability and Climate Resilience

California Awards $10 Million to Boost Factory-Built Housing for Affordability and Climate Resilience

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has allocated $10 million in grant funding to accelerate the development and use of factory-built housing across the state. This funding will support 10 projects in seven regions, including greater Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, Sierra Nevada, Inland Desert, North Coast, and San Joaquin Valley. The initiatives range from wildfire recovery efforts and tribal use of climate-resilient hempcrete to workforce housing development and mass-timber strategies. The SGC emphasizes that factory-built housing is a crucial tool for constructing affordable homes more rapidly, while also contributing to California's employment and climate objectives. These homes, built off-site in controlled environments, can incorporate durable, fire-resistant materials and climate-adaptive features, offering a quicker path to recovery for communities affected by disasters and strengthening social connections by enabling families to rebuild on or near their original properties.