Gov’s office denies abuse allegations
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office yesterday denied "sexual and physical abuse" allegations from former campaign spokesman James Hallinan. "No such incidents ever occurred, and Hallinan's statements are bizarre and slanderous," Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said. Hallinan tweeted allegations on Christmas, and tells The Albuquerque Journal Lujan Grisham, during her campaign, poured water on his crotch before grabbing it. In addition to denying Hallinan's claims, the governor's office says Hallinan was "inappropriate and unprofessional" while acting as communications director for her campaign, and was never considered for a position in her administration as a result.
City Different stats
The City Different is different in many ways from other New Mexico cities, according to recent data from the US Census Bureau. Santa Fe is older, more prosperous, female, Hispanic, educated and international. The median age here is 43.3; statewide, it's 37.5. Women make up 52.2% of Santa Fe's population; 47.8% are men. More data: 55% of the city's residents self-identify as Hispanic and 41.4% graduated from a four-year college (versus 27.1% statewide). Santa Feans also ranked higher for its residents' access to home internet service.
State Rep. Pratt dies
State Rep. William Pratt, D-Albuquerque, died Wednesday from complications following a stroke. The 84-year-old lawmaker was appointed to the Legislature in 2018 and then was elected to fill the seat of former Rep. Larry Larrañaga, a Republican who represented the district for 24 years. In a statement, Speaker of the House Brian Egolf said, "Pratt's legislative service followed a distinguished career as an orthopedic surgeon in rural and underserved areas. During the 2019 legislative session, Representative Pratt showed himself to be a man of integrity and character, and his presence will be sorely missed."
That’s one crowded race
The June 2020 primary to replace US Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, the Democrat representing the 3rd Congressional District, continues to grow—on the Republican side. The Albuquerque Journal reports that yet another Republican candidate—this will be the seventh—plans to file in the race. On the Democratic side, eight contenders currently plan to face off. Lujan, who has represented the district since 2008, is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Tom Udall. Republicans say the lack of incumbent in the race gives them a shot at winning District 3; the last Republican to do so was Bill Redmond in a three-way race with Democrat Eric Serna and Green Carol Miller in 1997. The newest Republican to enter the race, 73-year-old Cecilia Martinez Salazar of Española, previously ran for the seat in 1988 against Bill Richardson.
Get down to work
A Los Alamos National Laboratory program that provides paid on-the-job training to workers monitoring toxic waste provides a centerpiece for a recent Wall Street Journal story ($) on workforce development in New Mexico. As employers struggle in a tight job market to find qualified employees, programs such as the lab's toxic waste monitoring boot camp help them fill hard-to-fill position, while providing workers benefits and higher pay than they might find elsewhere. "When you have human capital needs, you either grow your own talent or you have to go out and take talent from somewhere," said Dorian Newton, director of technical services for N3B, which manages the lab. The program is one of several in the state trying to address the high unemployment rate—4.8% in October versus the 3.5% national rate—as well as a skills gap WSJ attributes to New Mexico's 71% high-school graduation rate, the nation's lowest.
Talking housing
Boston's NPR station WBUR highlights Santa Fe's housing situation this week with an interview with New Mexico Inter-Faith Housing Chief Operating Officer Daniel Werwath. "We've never had a more difficult time to build housing, especially affordable housing," Werwath says in the interview, which discusses the growing housing crisis here, as well as The Siler Yard: Arts+Creativity Center, a 65-unit affordable complex that will break ground early next year.
Wanna be a magistrate judge?
If so, time is running out to submit your application to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for vacant magistrate judge positions in Taos and Valencia counties; the governor has appointed Taos County Magistrate Jeff Shannon to the Eighth Judicial District Court and Valencia County Magistrate Tina R. Garcia will retire Jan. 1. Qualifications: You must be at least 18 years of age, a high school graduate or the equivalent and reside in the district you will serve. New Mexico's 54 magistrates serve four-year terms, and may perform marriages and handle cases such as landlord-tenant rights, traffic violations and preliminary felony hearings. They also sign off on search and arrest warrants. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, and applications can be found here.
Denial: not just a river in Colorado
ICYMI, SFR reported on US Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt's keynote speech at the Colorado River Water Users Association in Las Vegas, Nevada, during which Bernhardt failed to mention climate change, despite its clear impact on water flow in the river. Scientists say warming is contributing to the river's decreasing flows, and will continue to do so. Bernhardt, in response to reporters' questions after his talk, said he "certainly believe[s] the climate is changing," but cautioned that forecasting is speculative.
Stay dry!
The National Weather Service says rain showers are likely before 2 pm today in Santa Fe, after which rain and snow showers are likely. Otherwise, a cloudy day, with a high near 41. While the chance of precipitation is 70%, new snow accumulation in town is forecast at less than a half inch. On Saturday, look for a 30% chance of snow showers on a mostly cloudy day with a high near 34. Sunday looks mostly sunny with a high of 29 degrees.
Thanks for reading! The Word has never been to New Mexico's El Morro National Monument, but now that it's part of the International Dark Sky Park Program, is psyched to check out its upcoming programs.
