HIGHLIGHT: NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe: A plan to spend $ 100 million to fix dams throughout New Mexico – the state with the nation’s highest percentage of high- hazard dams – passed its first test Tuesday amid an urgent call to upgrade them over worries about loss of life. The state Senate Conservation Committee voted 9- 0 to move along a measure to add funding to address the dam infrastructure that advocates say is in dire need of repairs. Sen. Pete Campos, D- Las Vegas, said the state had no choice but to get started soon or risk a tragedy. Sen. Bill Soules, D- Las Cruces, said the state should spend the money while it has revenue from an oil and gas windfall.

A Hatch chili lies on the ground after flooding in Hatch, N. M., in 2006. AP