Days remaining in session: 9

First we'll cut the lawyers: Gov. Bill Richardson is upset with members of the Senate Finance Committee, who his office says made a move "to essentially punish state agencies that have the audacity to hold oil and gas companies accountable for protecting New Mexico's environment."

At issue are budget cuts approved by the committee that Richardson says "look like an effort to retaliate against tough but fair rules and regulations implemented by the Richardson administration to protect the environment."

The cuts affect the Oil Conservation Division and the Environmental Improvement Board by about $500,000, which includes cuts to legal staff at the Oil Conservation Division, according to the Governor's Office. The amendments transfer money and staff to the Attorney General's Office, while the enforcement of environment, mineral and natural resource protections remains the legal responsibility of the Environment and Energy and Minerals departments.

According to the Governor's Office blog, "the legislators on this committee are retaliating against the Environmental Improvement Board's passage of clean car standards to reduce vehicle pollution, and the Oil Conservation Division's proposed pit rules, which hold oil companies to stronger environmental standards for handling and disposing of oil field waste to prevent ground water contamination."

Train time: Santa Fe Mayor David Coss is supporting efforts at the Legislature to create a new taxing authority to pay for operations of the Rail Runner Express commuter trains.

Coss sent a letter to House and Senate leaders on Monday that explained his perspective on the proposed regional transit district. House Bill 400, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Silva, D-Albuquerque, would call for an election in Valencia, Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties so voters could approve a new gross-receipts tax increment that would be dedicated to train operations.

"I look forward to the Rail Runner connection to the city of Santa Fe," Coss wrote. "I want our community to be a full partner in this historic enterprise."

Some officials at Santa Fe County have expressed opposition to the proposal and passed a resolution last week formalizing that opinion.

The bill is on today's House calendar. The House is scheduled to convene at 10:30 a.m.

Picking on PACs: The Senate Rules Committee on Monday amended Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez's Senate Bill 387, which would limit campaign contributions to $2,300. In the Belen Democrat's original bill, only individuals were covered, which has evoked criticism from some ethics reform backers, who say it also should cover political action committees — which is the way most corporations and unions contribute to campaigns. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, would include PACs, as well as individuals. The bill goes on to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Paying the county: Standing in line to pay your county bills could become a thing of the past if a bill that unanimously passed the Senate on Monday becomes law.

Senate Republican Whip Leonard Lee Rawson's SB 294 would allow a county government to accept payment by credit card or electronic means of any amount due the county. Current state law allows state agencies to accept credit-card payments for any amounts due the state. The State Board of Finance by rule also provides for acceptance of credit-card payments by state agencies through its fiscal agent contract, but does not appear to allow acceptance of those payments by local public bodies. Under Rawson's bill, citizens would be able to call in their payments instead of having to stand in line.

The bill goes on to the House.

Looking ahead: Today is Women's Health Day at the Capitol. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Department of Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil will speak about a national campaign to end cervical cancer at 9 a.m. in the Rotunda. Members of the Governor's Women's Health Advisory Council will also be present.

On the House floor, lawmakers today are expected to take up a health care reform measure, House Bill 147, that competes with one sponsored by Richardson. They also are expected to consider a measure that would create regional transit districts that could raise taxes to fund the Rail Runner commuter train.

Quote of the day: "There will only be 15 Americans — 15 — who have served 36 years or more in the United States Senate," U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-Albuquerque, on what fact-seekers will find in the history books about how long various senators have served.