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.
It’s Veterans Day, and a good time to honor those who have given so much for the nation, but the economy remains the big news of the day. The city of Albuquerque is facing a substantial budget deficit that could affect public funding for the mayoral and city council campaigns next fall, The Albuquerque Journal reports today, and blogger Joe Monahan chimes in with insider info that suggests the city budget could be far worse than publicly acknowledged. A Roswell bus company that owes that city and the state millions of dollars is behind in its payments, while Farmington is looking to become the next city to install those revenue-producing red-light cameras.
City finances could affect election funding
Albuquerque is facing a $15 million budget deficit, the Journal reported Monday, and that could limit the amount of money available for public financing of the mayor and city council races in October 2009, the paper says today. If five mayoral candidates take the public financing route and get the automatic payout of about $328,000 apiece, they would empty the “Open and Ethical Elections” fund and leave nothing for other candidates, including for the council races.
The city sets aside about a 10th of 1 percent of its general fund budget for public financing of elections. Councilors Debbie O’Malley and Ken Sanchez — both of whom are considering bids to be mayor — tell the Journal the city may have to cough up more dough to keep the election fund solvent.
Meantime, blogger Joe Monahan’s City Hall insiders suggest the municipal budget may be in far worse condition than is being discussed publicly. “The $16 (sic) million won’t cost any permanent jobs,” Monahan says. “If it doubles to $32 million, look out below. The last time we recall city employees being laid off was in the early 90s recession when Mayor Louis Saavedra wielded the ax. Mayor Chavez, up for re-election next year, will do all he can to avoid layoffs,” but may have no choice.
Roswell firm late in paying off city, state loans
Economic development officials at the state and in Roswell may be getting nervous about loans they made to Millennium Transit Services LLC, a Roswell bus manufacturing company. The Roswell Daily Record says the company is behind on its payments since seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this summer.
Five years ago, Roswell loaned the company $2.1 million. The state chipped in $2 million. Millennium is supposed to paying Roswell $25,000 a month, but isn’t even doing that, Roswell Finance Director Larry Fry told the paper. A spokesman for the New Mexico State Investment Council said the company’s last $15,000 monthly payment to them came in August.
Millennium Transit Services was formed in 2003 when employees bought its failed predecessor. The venture started off to great praise but has fallen on hard times and in April laid off a big chunk of its workers. The company wouldn’t talk to the Record on Monday.
Farmington casts eye on red-light cameras
Albuquerque saw its revenues shoot up when it installed red-light cameras to catch traffic scofflaws. Santa Fe and Las Cruces are hoping to start their own programs soon. Tonight, Farmington may join the club, The Farmington Daily Times tells us.
City Councilwoman Mary Fischer has started the ball rolling, asking city staff to see if the city has the legal authority to do so and for reports on crashes and injuries caused by red-light and stop-sign runners. “We have a problem,” she told the paper. “Let’s try to work on it.”
One potential stumbling block for the Four Corners city is that Farmington does not have a “home rule” charter, unlike Albuquerque. That could force Farmington to adhere more closely to state law than to make up its own.
