New Mexico Bill On Union Membership Introduced – The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill pre-filed in the New Mexico Senate would make it illegal to require labor union membership as a condition for employment.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the pre-filed bill is sponsored by Sen. Sander Rue.
The Albuquerque Republican's bill would prohibit membership in a union as a requirement of employment with a private company. It also would prohibit deducting union dues from paychecks without a worker's permission.
Supporters of the so-called "right to work" legislation say it would spur economic growth and attract businesses to the state, while opponents say the legislation is an attack on unions that won't create jobs or save the state any money.
Republicans won control of the state House in the November general election. Democrats still control the Senate.
New Mexico Water Project Comes Up Short – The Associated Press
For the first time its four-decade history, the San Juan Chama Project has fallen short on the amount of water it has delivered from the mountains of southwest Colorado to central New Mexico.
The shortage comes as the region deals with the effects of three straight years of dismal snowpack.
Water managers tell the Albuquerque Journal the impact on Rio Grande Valley water operations was small, but the implications are significant.
They say it demonstrates that a supply once seen as dependable backup to a faltering Rio Grande might not be as reliable as once thought. It also means there's less stored water that can be carried over next year.
The shortage amounted to 10,000 acre-feet. One acre-foot is about enough to serve two average households for a year.
New Mexico Bill Would Limit Use Of Public Funding - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
A bill pre-filed for the New Mexico Legislature's upcoming session would bar publicly financed candidates for state offices from using their public campaign funding to pay themselves.
The bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Peter Wirth of Santa also would prohibit candidates from using public funding to pay family members for campaign work.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the bill results from reported spending and comments by Public Regulation Commissioner Ben Hall.
Hall ran for re-election this year with public financing but lost in the general election.
He told the Secretary of State's Office that he never paid himself for campaigning and received only reimbursement for expenses.
The Legislature begins its 60-day session on Jan. 20.
Las Cruces Businesses Prepare For Minimum Wage Increase - The Associated Press
While New Mexico lawmakers continue to debate increases to the state's minimum wage, some cities are pushing ahead and already have wages that are higher than the minimum.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that business owners in Las Cruces are preparing for a minimum wage hike that starts Jan. 1, the first of three increases planned over the next four years.
The newspaper reports that on Jan. 1 minimum wage in the city will increase 90 cents per hour — from $7.50 to $8.40.
Employees who work off tips will see an increase in their hourly wages from $2.13 to $3.36.
Some local business owners have already made changes in anticipation of the increase, while others say they may have to raise prices or cut back on hours.
Martinez Kicks Off Inauguration Celebration - The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has kicked off her inauguration celebration with a gala in Las Cruces on Sunday evening set to be followed by additional events later this week.
Martinez, the nation's only Latina governor, cruised to an easy victory in November. Her inaugural celebration continues Wednesday evening with a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.
On New Year's Day, the governor will be joined for her official swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol by First Gentleman Chuck Franco, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and Secretary of State Dianna Duran, among others.
An inaugural ball will be held later that evening at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
New Mexico Receives Funds For Health Care - The Associated Press
New Mexico has been awarded about $2 million from the federal government to help overhaul the state's health care system.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports that New Mexico is one 28 states to receive the funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The money, provided through the Affordable Care Act, is aimed at helping states design health care payment and service models to improve quality and lower costs.
Noroviruses On The Rise In New Mexico - The Associated Press
Health officials say noroviruses are on the rise in New Mexico with suspected or confirmed cases nearly doubling in the state in 2014.
The Albuquerque Journal reports there have been 49 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in New Mexico this year, up from 27 in 2013.
Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. People who are infected may also get a fever or chills and muscle aches.
Health officials say people need to take precautions, especially around the young and elderly.
Protective measures include washing hands often and isolating sick people.
Funding Sought For Uranium Deconversion Plant - The Associated Press and Hobbs News-Sun
An Idaho-based company that plans to build a uranium deconversion plant in southeastern New Mexico is struggling to find funding for the $125 million project.
International Isotopes President Steve Laflin tells the Hobbs News-Sun that with oil prices falling and a surplus on the market, no one is interested in investing in nuclear projects.
The plant would be capable of deconverting depleted uranium tails produced by Urenco USA's enrichment plant in nearby Eunice.
The process will make the byproducts of uranium enrichment safe for long-term disposal while recycling chemicals that can be used in solar panels and medical equipment.
Laflin's company has a contract with Urenco to acquire 50 percent of the raw materials it's seeking for its patented process. But he says that's only half of what the company needs to get financed.
NMSU Students Collect Books For Homeless Children - The Associated Press
A group of students at New Mexico State University have collected more than 600 books and magazines for a special library that serves homeless children.
The Communication Studies Graduate Student Association in the College of Arts and Sciences organized the book drive to help out the nonprofit group Jardin de los Ninos.
The students began collecting books in September and spent about two months gathering various donations.
Officials say the new library at Jardin de los Ninos is a "giving library," meaning that children are allowed to choose books and keep them.
Eagle Rock Lake To Remain Closed For The Winter - The Associated Press
Officials with the Carson National Forest say Eagle Rock Lake will be closed through next fall.
Officials say the closure of the northern New Mexico lake will allow Chevron Mining to dredge the lake and reconstruct the area. People who regularly fish and recreate there are being warned to avoid the area in the interest of public safety.
Officials will also be closing and locking gates on forest roads starting Wednesday. The closure is aimed at keeping people out of areas that are designated as wildlife wintering areas.
The gates to those areas will be closed through May.
Officials say people who will be traveling on the remaining open forest roads over winter should use extreme caution due to recent snow and rain.
Albuquerque Biopark Zoo Mourns Loss Of Ocelot - The Associated Press
The Albuquerque BioPark Zoo is mourning the death of one of its animals.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Beamer, a 20-year-old male ocelot, had to be euthanized Tuesday.
Zoo officials say the feline had become ill after undergoing kidney failure. Zookeepers say Beamer had stopped eating and drinking.
Zoo manager Lynn Tupa says Beamer had a much longer than average life compared to his counterparts in the wild.
Beamer was the eighth-oldest ocelot in captivity in the U.S.
Beamer's mate, Fireball, still remains at the zoo.