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Panel Proposes Medicaid Reimbursement Cuts, APD Monitor Says Deadline Not Realistic

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Panel Proposes Cuts In Medicaid Reimbursement RatesAlbuquerque Journal

A panel is recommending cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates for medical providers as the state grapples with a budget crunch, raising fears about staffing and levels of care.

The Albuquerque Journal reports the cuts range from 1 to 5 percent and could save up to $114 million. The Human Services Department is reviewing the recommendation and will likely make a proposal next week.

The state is facing a $417 million Medicaid shortfall over the next 15 months. HSD is looking at other options as well, such as mandatory payments for patients and higher eligibility guidelines.

Healthcare officials, including some who served on the panel making the recommendation, warn this could increase staffing problems in some facilities.

Some healthcare providers said cuts to reimbursement rates could mean clinics limiting the number of Medicaid patients they see and also prompt doctors to leave the state.

New Mexico School Board Member Resigns Due To Old ConvictionThe Associated Press & The Las Vegas Optic

A northern New Mexico school board member has resigned amid controversy over his previously unknown 2002 drug conviction.

The Las Vegas Optic reports that Anthony "Leroy" Benavidez resigned from his position at a West Las Vegas School Board meeting Thursday.

The resignation comes just over a week after the New Mexico Attorney General's Office sent a letter warning Benavidez that he would face criminal or civil sanctions if he didn't step down.

State court records show Benavidez was convicted in 2002 for felony drug possession.

New Mexico law prevents convicted felons from holding office without a pardon. Benavidez didn't disclose his conviction when he ran for office.

Martinez Declines To Endorse Candidate At NY GalaKOB-TV

Gov. Susana Martinez spoke Thursday night to about 800 people, including three presidential hopefuls, at the New York Republican Gala.

KOB-TV reports that Martinez talked about her background and her accomplishments as governor, but she declined to state whether she was endorsing Donald Trump, Ted Cruz or John Kasich.

Martinez previously endorsed Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out of the race.

APD Monitor Says Reform Deadlines Not RealisticAlbuquerque Journal

The independent monitor overseeing reform in the Albuquerque Police Department said meeting a deadline for reform in four years is not realistic.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that James Ginger said similar reform efforts in other cities have taken up to eight years or longer. He praised APD leadership for being receptive change.

But Chief Gorden Eden is also expressing frustration over resistance to reform within the department. The two spoke to a class of Leadership Albuquerque.

Southeastern New Mexico City Cuts Salaries Amid Oil Downturn Hobbs News-Sun, Associated Press

A southeastern New Mexico city is cutting salaries for elected officials thanks to a downturn in oil prices.

The Hobbs News-Sun reports that the Eunice City Council set the stage to cut their own paychecks this week a month after the city laid off 10 employees.

The council made the mostly symbolic move since the savings will amount to only $15,000 per year even though the councilmen's cut is around 50 percent and the mayor's cut is 25 percent.

Eunice Mayor Matt White says the cuts cannot legally be made right away because the New Mexico State Constitution forbids elected officials changing their salary during their term of office.

The region has struggled in recent months due to falling prices in oil and natural gas.

New Mexico To Hit Solar Tax Credit Limit This Summer Associated Press

New Mexico energy conservation officials have been hit with a flood of applications for the state's solar tax credit and are on track to meet the $3 million cap way before the end of the year.

The cap has been met each of the last four years, but officials say it'll likely happen by the end of July this year.

This marks the last year for the 10-percent tax credit. A measure that called for extending the incentive through 2024 stalled during the last legislative session.

State budget concerns were among the reasons. Some critics also argued the industry no longer needed the help, but supporters vowed to push again next year.

Energy Conservation and Management Division Director Louise Martinez says the program has stimulated the industry in New Mexico.

Nuclear Waste Dump Earns Positive Rating, $11.7M In FeesAssociated Press

Managers of the federal government's underground nuclear waste repository in southern New Mexico have earned positive marks and nearly all of the $13 million in performance pay up for grabs for the last fiscal year.

The U.S. Department of Energy released documents Thursday that detailed the $11.7 million in fees earned by Nuclear Waste Partnership, the contractor that manages the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

The plant has been shuttered since February 2014, when a radiation release contaminated part of the underground facility. As a result, the Energy Department's multibillion-dollar cleanup campaign has been derailed at defense sites across the nation.

Watchdogs called the fees outrageous, saying the contractor should have been docked for missing deadlines related to the installation of an interim ventilation system needed for reopening the repository.

Senators Call For Action To Increase Security Along BorderAssociated Press

New Mexico's U.S. senators are calling for more personnel and equipment to help the Border Patrol secure the U.S.-Mexico border along the state's southwestern corner.

Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich say their call to U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a response to concerns voiced by residents of the Bootheel region as well as by Border Patrol agents and CBP officials.

The lawmakers say agents need additional horses, all-terrain vehicles and night vision gear, and they say bonuses and other incentives would help reduce turnover among agents.

According to Udall and Heinrich, federal authorities ought to work with the New Mexico National Guard so Guard helicopters can help the Border Patrol cover more territory.

Author, Transgender Activist Janet Mock To Speak At NMSU Associated Press

The New York Times best-selling author and MSNBC web series host Janet Mock is scheduled to visit New Mexico State University to speak on gender identity.

The transgender activist is slated to appear on campus April 19 as part of the university's Pride Season.

Zooey Sophia Pook, coordinator of LGBT+ Programs at NMSU, will moderate the discussion. Mock will speak about her book, her experiences and the issues of identity and inclusion

Mock is the author of the 2014 book "Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More." She is also the host of MSNBC's So POPular! weekly web series about culture.

Navajo President Says Relationship With Wife Has EndedAssociated Press

The Navajo Nation president says he and his wife of 17 years have parted ways.

Russell Begaye said in a statement that Kyoon Chung wanted to live privately and not be involved in the tribal government or subject to media scrutiny.

Begaye's relationship with Chung has been shrouded in mystery. She lives in Georgia and was not at Begaye's side on the campaign trail. He rarely has referenced her since he took office.

The absence of Chung left a void in the tribe's Office of the First Lady, a ceremonial post for wives to promote literacy, healthy living and anti-drunken driving efforts.

Begaye's spokesman, Mihio Manus, declined to say Thursday whether the two initiated divorce proceedings or finalized a divorce.

Chung and Begaye married in Georgia in 1999.

New Mexico Drilling Regulators Present Spill AllegationsAssociated Press

New Mexico oil field regulators are providing evidence that a Texas-based driller spilled oily salt water repeatedly at wastewater injections sites without properly reporting it, and ignored initial warnings to stop.

The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division on Thursday provided testimony, photographs and a video at public hearing to back up allegations that Siana Operating of Midland, Texas, failed to report spills of contaminated water. The spill took place at a cluster of wells outside Eunice in the southeastern corner of New Mexico.

A newly hired attorney for Siana asked for more time to respond and was given two weeks until another hearing.

A violation finding from the adjudicatory panel would give enforcement officials authority to ensure compliance or declare wells abandoned, plug them and access security bonds.

7 Children Among 11 Hurt In 2 Vehicle Crash In AlbuquerqueAssociated Press

Authorities say seven children and four adults have been injured after two vehicles collided in Albuquerque.

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating the crash, which occurred about 3 p.m. Thursday.

The names and ages of the 11 injured and their conditions weren't immediately released.

Sheriff's officials say a minivan and sedan were involved in the crash.

They say the minivan was reportedly swerving out of its lane and hit the sedan, which was driving in the opposite direction.

Witnesses say several people were ejected from the van when it rolled over.

Sheriff's officials say it's unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash.