Wilson questions hirings at NM Health Department

A day after the governor's office announced the layoff of 59 political appointees, a Republican senator is asking questions about "emergency hires" at the New Mexico Health Department.

State Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R-Sandia Park) is questioning the DOH's hiring of 90 employees, some of whom she claims are family members of senior department employees, at the same time the administration has a hiring freeze and the state faces budget deficits.

“The magnitude of hires after the freeze of unqualified people who are fast-tracked into training for financial positions is problematic and is creating morale issues,” Beffort said at the Legislative Finance Committee in Santa Fe today.

The senator said she's been told the apparent nepotism is causing morale problems, and that some of the new hires are being trained for permanent, higher level positions ahead of other employees at the department.

“There is dissatisfaction among current, qualified employees who have been waiting for that training so they can improve their careers, instead these new hires who were brought into the Department of Health after the hiring freeze are receiving it,” Beffort said.

A spokesperson for Secretary of Health Alfredo Vigil told us this afternoon:

We have hired critical positions that include individuals who provide direct clinical care, which is an exemption to the hiring freeze. All of our hires have been approved by the State Personnel Office as being critical positions.

Thousands turn out for International Climate Action Day

Check out how the Town of Taos commemorated International Climate Action Day on Saturday.

Click on the picture and you'll see the number 350 laid out with pumpkins. Thanks to my friend, photographer Geraint Smith for the picture. (Click on the picture to see the pumpkins up close)

New Mexicans joined more than 2,000 communities in 181 countries as part of a global day of action coordinated by 350.org to urge world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

To see how 500+ people in Santa Fe got involved in "350 Day" read Barbara Wold's post on Democracy for New Mexico here.

Sen. Keller urges fiscal responsibility in special session

Freshman New Mexico Senator Tim Keller introduced three bills during the opening of the special session. He said they're all aimed at making the state's finances more fiscally responsible.

“The Governor has called us all up here and we are costing the state money each day we are in session," Keller said. "The least we can do is work on these issues; there is lots of dead time as we wait for all the various sides to negotiation the budget. This is a matter of principle, these bills should be germane in that they directly impact to our state budget solvency."

While the legislature ruminates over the specifics of the budget solvency package there is an opportunity for lawmakers to work on related legislation to improve our state’s fiscal situation,” Senator Keller stated.

The specific pieces of legislation will now go to Committee’s Committee to determine if they are germane for the special session.

Senator Keller’s proposals that include a tax expenditure bill that mirrors a 2007 bill which would require the state to track all tax expenditures and incentives, such as the ones currently being offered to the film industry, and their associated benefits.

“We are going to need this going forward to deal with structural problems in our government financing," Keller said. "This bill is long overdue, all interim we have been debating what works and what don’t in terms of incentives and tax subsidies. We are one of only 9 states that doesn’t track return on investment on these. It’s time we start making good analytical decisions based on data rather than economic guesstimates.”

Keller also introduced a bill for forecasting that has a circuit breaker provision in it.

Currently the state bases the budget on forecasts made by key individuals at different times in the year. Keller's bill would adjust on a proportional basis any cuts that are made in the special session to compensate for any increase in revenue estimates.

“A circuit breaker provision is really just about sounds financial planning; historically we have been up to 12% wrong in our forecasts as a state," Keller said. "This bill would give us an automatic adjustment to restore funding that was cut based on incorrect estimates."

He also introduced a federal match funding exclusion bill designed to protect the budget from negative multiplier effects, which would result in cutting state funds that are matched by federal funds.

“It's convenient for politicians to do across the board cuts, but when we cut Medicaid at the state level until we realize that for every 1 dollar we cut, we lose 4 dollars in federal funds," Keller said. "Cutting this type of matching fund is like throwing free money way."

Both the house and the senate are expected to reconvene the special session just after 1pm today.

Governor proposes1.5% cut in education spending

5pm - Update: Both the House and Senate have adjourned until Sunday afternoon -- only two hours after the governor delivered his proclamation. Members have returned to caucus meetings.

After being postponed until 2pm, the special session started even later on Saturday at 3pm, and as promised it was high drama on the Senate floor as lawmakers begin to consider ideas to whittle down the state"s $660 million dollar budget deficit in 2010 -- and fix the $200 million gap in 2009.

Senators debated what is germane and even considered calling an extraordinary session, so they could operate outside Governor Bill Richardson's proclamation for the session, which, for one, won't allow them to impose any new taxes to help raise money to offset the revenue shortfalls -- unless as Sen. Majority Leader Michael Sanchez suggested they operate outside the state's constitution and igonore the governor's call.

Meanwhile, Richardson has backed off his call to spare education from any cuts.

Richardson spent the day laying out his plan to lawmakers and stressing his priorities of saving jobs and making sure education is not harmed by major cuts.

The governor said he while he's willing to cut education by 1.5% those cuts must include safeguards that classrooms, kids and teachers will not be affected.

It appears the governor is hoping to use federal stimulus money to prevent further cuts to education.

“I have made adjustments to my original budget proposal to reflect our new budget realities. But just like my original plan, this is a fiscally responsible package with minimum cuts to services and one that avoids layoffs and furloughs,” Richardson said. “I have made it very clear to legislators that any cuts to education must be minimal and not affect our classrooms, kids and teachers.”

“We are able to minimize education cuts and protect classroom spending as a result of our aggressive efforts in the past to keep cash reserves at 10 percent or higher,” Richardson said. The Governor’s $617 million plan relies partially on those rainy-day reserves to protect schools, while still keeping future cash reserves at a prudent 5.5 percent.

The governor also wants to divert available short-term bonding proceeds from future capital projects to reimburse general fund for existing capital expenditures, and deauthorize stalled capital outlay projects; canceling the governor’s projects as well as those of lawmakers.

If needed he said he'll delay general fund increases to retirement and Retiree Health Care Authority funds and sweep state account of unspent money.

Richardson also reiterated today that tax increases will not be considered during the special session, something he and legislative leaders had already agreed to. However, he said that he will consider a tax package in the upcoming regular session in January

“It would be irresponsible to rush into any revisions to the state’s tax code and any changes now would have little effect on the current budget year,” Richardson said. “I will consider revenue enhancements during the January session as long as they have gone through a thorough review between now and then and can be proven to have a lasting positive effect on the budget.”

Movie Production Will Help Local Charities Raise Money

Universal Pictures and Working Title Films are offering non-profit organizations a fund raising opportunity as extras for their upcoming film entitled Paul on August 11 and 12 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in a Comic-Con scene.

The movie stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek) and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The Boat that Rocked,) as two British science fiction enthusiasts on the trip of a lifetime to the Comic Con convention in San Diego, and then to Area 51 in the Nevada desert.

The producers will donate money to your non-profit organization based on the number of people you bring to the scene. You can register your non-profit by calling Elizabeth Gabel, extras casting director, at 505-982-9681.

The movie also stars Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Blythe Danner and John Carroll Lynch. Directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) and written by Pegg and Frost, the film is being produced by NiraPark, Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan and is shooting in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas from June through mid-August.

Gangs Contributing to High Property Crime Rates

Burglaries are skyrocketing in Santa Fe according to law enforcement authorities there. The number of break-ins have more than doubled this month compared to last July according to this Santa Fe New Mexican report.

Police Captain Gary Johnson told the paper he believes a spike in gang activity is "exacerbating the residential burglary problem" in the capital city.

The New Mexico Gang Task Force reports there are between 2,000 and 2,500 gang members in Santa Fe. Two weeks ago, Dave Maass, a journalist with the Santa Fe, New Mexico reported many of those thugs are hiding out in plain sight and using My Space pages to operate their criminal enterprises.

Police believe professional thieves are mainly hitting the city's east side of town. While juveniles gang members are focused on residences on the south and west side of town.

According to the Santa Fe Police Department report, burglaries, in the 2nd quarter of 2009 jumped 105 percent compared to April thru June 2008. This month alone there has been an increase of 162 percent.

In Albuquerque, property crimes, according to FBI crime reports, are up a little more than nine percent year-over-year.

Santa Feans In Shock as They Mourn 4 DWI Victims

Church bells ringing at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi greeted hundreds of New Mexicans on Sunday night as they gathered at Cathedral Park in Santa Fe. They are grieving the loss of four teens killed early Sunday morning in a car crash on the Old Las Vegas Highway.

"I'm devastated," said Adrian Martinez the brother of Julian Martinez who died at the scene. "My brother meant everything to me."

Crying, friends and family members of the victims, bowed their heads and offered their prayers which were led by Catholic Archdiocese priest Jerome Martinez.

Although their passing away from us was sudden and an unexpected tragedy for the families, we ask you, Lord, to take them and bring them to yourself so they can be joined in the source of all life.

Martinez also asked the crowd to offer forgiveness for suspected DWI driver Scott Owens, 27, who was driving the wrong way near mile marker 5.

We ask for forgiveness for those who made this possible by perhaps their recklessness. And we ask you give us the consolation of your love which is eternal and unconditional.

Owens has one previous DWI conviction in 2001.

The crowd milling around the park offered impromptu comments on their feeling and memories.

"It's a total shook," said Leonna Thomas, 17, with tears streaming from her eyes. She had just seen Kate Klein, a passenger who also died at the scene. "She just got back from piano camp. She was, she is an amazing person."

Thomas said she arrived at the scene moments after Owens Jeep Cherokee broadsided Avree Koffman's maroon Subaru. Thomas said it was eerily quiet, except the sound of a broken car horn blaring in the air. She's upset after seeing Owen's mug shot on broadcast on television news.

"He was smiling," said Thomas. "He's sick. He isn't even showing any remorse."

Candles, crosses and pictures of the victims were laid at the base of a statue in the park. Girls hugged each other and were comforted by boy schoolmates. Parents and teachers were talking softly to each other as they recalled the victim's short lives.

Koffman, 16, the teen driver remains in critical condition at UNM Hospital. Authorities say it appears she swerved to avoid the impact, but it was too late.

Friends of crash victim, Rose Simmons, 15, put up a pink cross and laid out gummi bears for her. 16-year olds Julian Martinez, Alyssa Trouw and Kate Klein were in Koffman's car and all died at the scene. We were told they were headed to El Dorado, New Mexico after midnight after leaving a drive-in restaurant in Santa Fe where they had gathered on Saturday night.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano says Owens was booked into jail after he was released from the hospital, but has not been questioned.

"He appeared to our deputies to be intoxicated, so we will let him sober up, before we talk to him." Solano said Owens will be interviewed on Monday morning.

State Department of Public Safety Spokesman Peter Owens said investigators with the Special Investigation's Unit are involved in the crash survey, but have not determined if Owens had been drinking before the accident or if any liquor containers were found in the debris at the crash scene.

State Road Is Renamed after Slain Sheriff's Deputy!

A Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty is getting a new tribute.

Today, at a meeting in Santa Rosa, The NM Transportation Commission agreed to name State Road 337, in Tijreas , the James McGrane Highway.

Deputy McGrane was shot and killed while making a traffic stop there at the end of his watch on March 22, 2006.

McGrane's accused killer Michael Paul Astoraga is awaiting trial and is currently housed at the NM State Prison in Santa Fe on parole violations. Astoraga is also accused in two other earlier murders. He was arrested in Mexico City and extradited to New Mexico in April 2006 after his mug shot appeared on America's Most Wanted.

McGrane had served with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department for 3 years. He also worked in law enforcement for the NM State Police and the United State Postal Inspection Service.

The renaming process began a few years ago by residents in the East Mountains.

County Commissioner Michael Brasher and Sheriff Darren White backed the idea, but the process was delayed because road name change rules were being changed by the NM Transportation Commission.

"This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated law enforcement officer," said White. "It is recognition of the way McGrane lived his life, not by the way it was taken."

White says he doesn't have an exact date for the ribbon cutting ceremony, but said, "It won't be long. We've already been in touch with the Governor's office."

The Officer's Down Memorial Page has more information on McGrane.

The ABQJournal has more on the story, including how the 38-year old's family is celebrating the decision.

Penn and Watts Cast as Wilson and Plame!

The story of Santa Fe residents Valerie Plame and her husband former Ambassador Joe Wilson is one-step closer to the silver screen.

Actors Sean Penn and Naomi Watts have agreed to play the husband and wife team. The movie project is based on Plame's autobiography, Fair Game: My Life as A Spy, My Betrayal by the White House.

E! Online:

Not that Sean Penn hasn't been writing his own ticket for years, but it's nice to see winning his second Best Actor Oscar hasn't made him lazy.

The Milk star is in talks to join the cast of Fair Game, about the government-orchestrated outing of former CIA agent Valerie Plame, per Variety. Penn would play Plame's husband, Ambassador James Wilson, who penned a series of op-eds discrediting the Bush Administration's argument that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass distruction.

Variety Magazine has more about the turnaround production here.

Local Photo credit: MG Bralley