Western States Chart Diverging Paths As Water Shortages Loom - By Sophia Eppolito and Felicia Fonseca
Associated Press/Report for America
As persistent drought and climate change threaten the Colorado River, several states that rely on the water acknowledge they likely won t get what they were promised a century ago.
But not Utah.
Republican lawmakers approved an entity that could push for more of Utah s share of water as seven Western states prepare to negotiate how to sustain a river serving 40 million people. Critics say the legislation, which the governor still must sign, could strengthen Utah s effort to complete a billion-dollar pipeline from a dwindling reservoir that s a key indicator of the river s health.
Supporters Clash On New Mexico Recreational Pot Legalization By Morgan Lee
Associated Press
Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in New Mexico sat down to the legislative bargaining table Tuesday amid broad support for doing so. But lawmakers have stubbornly divergent views on how to stamp out illicit marijuana, address social justice concerns about prior drug convictions and provide a range of economic opportunity in a fledgling industry.
State Senate lawmakers are searching for a bill to advance toward a floor vote and there are four competing proposals to legalize recreational cannabis sales to adults 21 and older.
They emerged after weeks of rocky negotiations focusing on whether to extend cannabis cultivation limits that has helped sustain small-scale medical marijuana producers but led to complaints of inflated retail prices.
New Mexico Legislature Approves Liquor License Overhaul - Associated Press The New Mexico Legislature sent a bill to the governor that would overhaul state