I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Gov. Bill Richardson is ready to tackle an issue that earned his veto earlier this year: double dippers. Richardson said in a press release Wednesday said he’ll propose the plan, which could save $7 million, for the January regular legislative session.
Double dipping is the practice where public employees retire, begin collecting their pensions and, in some cases, then are rehired 90 days later by their former boss for the same job at the same salary.
Here are the details:
—No employment by a (Public Employees Retirement Association) member employer within 12 months of retirement. (this includes contract employment)
—No PERA retirement payouts while collecting a paycheck.
—Eliminating employer retirement contributions for retirees who return to work.
—The changes would not retroactively affect the more than 500 state employees or 1,600 county and municipal employees currently considered double dippers.
The Independent already has identified a few double dippers who also are political appointees.
The Journal published a story today relying on the same news release.
