A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW A ONE-YEAR DRIVING PERMIT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN NEW MEXICO IS BLOCKED BY A SENATE PANEL. GOP LEADER STUART INGLE SAYS HIS MEASURE WAS A COMPROMISE ON GOVERNOR MARTINEZ'S PREVIOUS EFFORTS TO COMPLETELY REPEAL THE LAW THAT ALLOWS UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO GET STATE DRIVER'S LICENSES.

THE SENATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TABLED THE BILL TUESDAY. THAT MOVE PROBABLY KILLS IT, AND OTHER BILLS TO RESTRICT SUCH LICENSES, FROM BEING APPROVED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.