First News: State Senate poised to vote on $5.6 billion budget. (listen) SANTA FE (KSFR) - This year's session of the state legislature ends Thursday at noon. The prime directive for the session is the state's budget and to that end, the full Senate is poised to vote on a $5.6 billion spending package for fiscal year 2013, representing a 4% increase over this year's budget. Lawmakers were busy over the weekend as the Senate Finance Committee added some final tweaks to the House's approved budget bill. The overall budget bill is targeted below revenue forecasts; that provides for additional spending measures that may come in the session's final days.

On the hot-button issue of state driver's licenses for foreign nationals, it looks as though the House and the Senate may not reach agreement before the session ends. Governor Martinez again this year championed repeal of the law. A number of compromise measures failed in the house, with lawmakers eventually passing a full repeal of the state's 2003 law. The Senate, meanwhile, has not given up on amending the current law which would include enforcing stricter rules for issuance but not banning the practice.

In a four to one decision, the New Mexico Supreme Court overturned a redistricting plan approved by Governor Susana Martinez.. The high court's ruling heading into the weekend found that the plan was biased and might negatively affect some Hispanic-leaning districts. Governor Martinez's office objected to the ruling, saying that it is a partisan and that it "attempts to turn the United States Constitution on its head." They also indicated it may head to a federal court for a final determination. Meanwhile, the justices have issued an order that the lower court judge responsible for the map come up with a new one by February 27th. They asked that the new map be partisan-neutral and fair to both republicans and democrats.

Santa Fe's St. Michael's Catholic High School plans to implement a policy of random drug testing of students beginning in the fall. The school notified the community of its plan by email and by a posting on Facebook. School administrators plan to hold parent meetings on the issue next week. They defend the policy by saying its gives incentive to students to refuse to engage in recreational drug use. The random test subjects will be chosen by a lottery system, with the school paying for tests of hair samples. In the event of a positive result, parents can pay for a second test. Two positive results within 100 days will result in expulsion.

Weather for Santa Fe -- some unsettled weather today through Wednesday. A 20% chance for mixed rain and snowshowers today with highs in the mid 40s. A 10% chance for snowshowers overnight with lows in the upper 20s. Partly cloudy skies Tuesday with a 20% chance for mixed showers with highs again in the mid 40s. That becomes a 30% chance for snowshowers tomorrow night with lows near 22. © Copyright 2012, KSFR