In Brief - News - Jan. 11, 2013

The Associated Press

Sen. Campos faces challenge

SANTA FE — Democratic Sen. Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces says she’s confident of becoming the Senate’s top leader next week when the Legislature convenes.
Papen told reporters on Wednesday in Santa Fe that she has a majority of the votes in the 42-member Senate in her bid to become Senate president pro tem. She expects the backing of all 17 Republicans as well as seven to 10 Democrats.
Democrats have nominated Sen. Pete Campos of Las Vegas for the leadership job. Democrats will hold a 27-15 majority.
Campos said in an interview he continues to talk with senators about supporting him and he declined to speculate about the outcome of the race.
The Senate president plays a role in assigning senators to committees and determining committee chairmen.

Tax refunds to be intercepted

SANTA FE — Officials with New Mexico’s magistrate court system are warning defendants who have failed to pay court-ordered fines and fees that their tax refunds will be intercepted.
The courts have asked the state Taxation and Revenue Department to intercept the refunds of more than 10,000 defendants who failed to pay their fines and fees during the past year.
The uncollected debts total more than $3 million.
Officials say defendants can avoid having their income tax refunds intercepted by paying their judgment in full.
The courts have posted a list of defendants who are in arrears and the amounts they owe on the state courts’ website — www.nmcourts.gov .