Days remaining in session: 16

Domestic partners: A bill to establish state-sanctioned domestic partnerships, which would grant couples the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, made it through the Senate Public Affairs Committee by one vote Tuesday. It was a party-line vote with Democrats supporting House Bill 9 and Republicans against it. The bill, which cleared the House of Representatives by two votes last week, goes on to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Ride 'em cowboys and ranchers: The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure honoring the state's cowboys and declared Jan. 29 as Cowboy Day at the Roundhouse. Tuesday also was Lea County Day.

How creative: The city of Santa Fe would get $200,000 for planning and other expenses to host the 2008 UNESCO International Conference on Creative Tourism, under HB 378 introduced Tuesday by Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe.

District 2 City Councilor Rebecca Wurzburger played a major role in the decision by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to honor Santa Fe as the first Creative City in the U.S., according to a city press release. This tourism conference is expected to attract approximately 250 visitors and will be held at the city's new civic and convention center Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.

That's a lot of cake: Varela is also asking for $1 million for the Department of Tourism for the city of Santa Fe's 400th anniversary celebrations in 2010. The money is to start planning now for the big bash. The measure is HB 473.

Nice doggie: Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Española, is asking for $40,000 this year for his city's animal shelter. Each year, the Española Valley Animal Shelter takes in 1,400 dogs and cats from the city of Española and 2,200 dogs and cats from Rio Arriba County. With $40,000, 430 animals can be sheltered, according to an analysis of the bill.

Hefty metal: Scoflaws ripping off copper wiring and bronze statues to sell to scrap metal buyers could have a tougher go of it if SB 281 is approved by the House and Senate. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, requires junkyards and scrap-metal processors to collect vehicle and personal information from anyone attempting to sell recycled metal. The bill also requires metal-recycling businesses to file regular reports of recycled-metal purchases with the Department of Public Safety and prohibits reselling the metal until the fifth day after it is purchased. Millions of dollars in copper, bronze and steel have been stolen from energy companies, construction companies, farmers and research laboratories in the last year, according to the State Attorney General's Office. The bill was approved Tuesday by the Senate Conservation Committee and goes next to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Redraw those lines: Sen. John Grubesic, D-Santa Fe, wants the Legislature to look into a bipartisan commission that would redraw House and Senate district boundaries. Redistricting comes after the 2010 U.S. Census.

It might seem a little early for all that, but redistricting of course is a big deal. An analysis of the measure says Grubesic's bill would give proportional representation to minority and majority parties in the state, and the House and Senate would have equal say on the commission. The measure is Senate Joint Memorial 23.

Looking ahead: Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday will participate in a U.S. House Democratic Caucus panel on the economy.

The closed event will take place at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.

On the trip, the governor will also meet with the Blank Rome firm, a lobbying firm now representing the state in Washington, D.C. He'll also talk with New Mexico's U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat, and Pete Domenici, a Republican, on funding the Rail Runner and Spaceport America, among other projects.

Quote of the day: "What we are, we're like Buddhist monks. We go around with a bowl because we have nothing. The only thing you can do is feed us or buy us a drink."

Sen. Shannon Robinson, D-Albuquerque, during floor debate on a measure that would allow legislators to get reimbursed for airport parking expenses.



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