Easy, Tiger
New Mexico is still on track to haul in more than a billion dollars in revenue above current spending levels, but economists told a legislative panel yesterday that this is probably as good as it gets for a few years. The state already has important spending items in line for some of that funding when lawmakers head to the Capitol next month.
Deputy raises
Bernalillo County has stepped into the police pay raise debate. The county manager has plans to hike pay for sheriff's deputies to more than $60,000 a year. Albuquerque, which makes up most of the county's residents, has had to boost pay to attract and retain officers at its police department, which is still under the watchful eye of the feds as it tries to clean up its act.
Another holiday party problem
We've not yet seen the last Christmas party from Gov. Susana Martinez (we don't think; the Word isn't on the guest list) but Santa Fe County workers are filling the fracas gap at the Eldorado Hotel ($). Police responded to an incident over the weekend in which a facilities operation maintenance manager gave an off-duty sheriff's deputy a bloody nose and punched a 22-year-old, off-duty radio dispatcher in the chest when she tried to intervene.
#GirlsToo
Sexual harassment is ageless. That's the message being spread by Santa Fe's Girls, Inc. The nonprofit gathered together with the mayor, city councilors and Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia to raise awareness about sexual harassment against girls. All involved signed a pledge to speak up to prevent it.
Albuquerque’s massive sidewalk bill
It's been a year since the city of Albuquerque's inspector general released a report saying more than $400 million needs to be spent on the city's sidewalks. That's more than Santa Fe's yearly budget. In Albuquerque, fixing buckled or cracked sidewalks is the responsibility not of the city but of the property owner. It's going to take a while.
Allsup’s boycott
Those chimichangas are going to sit under that heat lamp FOREVER! The Lea County clerk is urging New Mexicans in the oil patch to boycott inside purchases at Allsup's convenience stores. Gas prices are higher in the oil patch (and have you seen hotel prices?) than in many parts of the state. People like clerk Keith Manes say it's predatory pricing.
The cosmic garage rock experience
The Draft Punx series at Second Street Rufina on Tuesday nights has proven to be a favorite of SFR. Tonight, Alien Space Kitchen and the Dildon'ts take the stage to melt faces and inspire you to move. The show starts at 8 pm and it's $5.
Sound and fury
A couple of really windy storms are headed our way, but it doesn't seem likely they'll deliver much moisture. Which is like getting a class action settlement check for $5 or a gift card to the country's last remaining Blockbuster Video. Expect temperatures near or in the 50s throughout the central part of the state today and tomorrow. The best chance of snow is Wednesday night, and Thursday will be colder.
Thanks for reading! The Word has gotten progressively worse at making Christmas lists. Do we all?
Although most sites allow a few free views, the dollar signs ($) indicate links that require a paid subscription to the news source.
