Santa Fe schools to discuss budget cuts SANTA FE (KSFR) -
-- Nov. 2, 7a.m. -- The question of how Santa Fe's public schools will deal with state-imposed budget cuts will come up tonight at a public meeting. That will be at 6 p.m. at the school district's educational services center on Alta Vista Street. State lawmakers cut the school district's budget by one percent, in contrast to the nearly 8 percent cuts most other state agencies were ordered to take. The governor hasn't yet signed any of the bills passed in the recent special session that dealt with plugging a $650 million hole the state budget.

A Santa Fe woman has been charged with failing to yield to a train after her car hit the caboose of a tourist train yesterday afternoon. The incident took place at the Rabbit Road crossing. The New Mexican reports that the woman was the only person in the car and was not injured. The authorities say she struck the tail-end of the train as it was making the crossing, apparently ignoring the flashing signals and warning bells. They say they'll turn the case file over to the National Transportation and Safety Board.

Legislative leaders are complaining that they didn't know that the budget bills they passed could cut healthcare funding for some of the half-million New Mexicans who are covered by Medicaid. The House Majority Leader and the Senate Majority Leader have told the governor that information supplied to them during the special session did not explain that Medicaid should be exempt from the cuts. The governor's office earlier acknowledged there was a flaw in the fiscal impact information provided to lawmakers. It did not explain that Medicaid should be held harmless.

Both today and tomorrow, The New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee meets at 9AM the State Capitol. On the heels of the recently concluded special session of the legislature, the committee is re-grouping to examine funding and policy options for future capital outlay efforts. The work is undertaken with an eye toward the 30 day legislative session set for January where lawmakers will be grappling yet again with diminished revenue sources. The committee's chair says public input is welcomed at the meeting.

Weather: Lots of sun with temps in the 60s today, warming to the low 70s later this week. © Copyright 2009, KSFR