KSFR Local
(2012-03-28)
Listen Now:
SANTA FE
(KSFR) -
The new county courthouse is going to cost more money before it's finished. County commissioners have agreed to spend nearly $400,000 more on the multi-million dollar project for redesigning several rooms and for landscaping, security equipment and other items. But they stopped short of approving a proposal for an extra $1.4 million for some of the building's furnishings. The proposal called for those funds to fill in the gap in state funding that Gov. Martinez vetoed.The husband of the state's tourism secretary has gone from having a temporary state job to a permanent one with a $79,000-a-year salary. The New Mexican reports that Andrew Jacobson will analyze financial reports in the state finance department. The Martinez administration says he got the post because of his qualifications, not because his wife Monique Jacobson is head of a major agency. She makes $125,000 a year.
New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission will take more time to consider how PNM should retrofit its aging San Juan coal-fired power plant. At their meeting yesterday, commissioners backed away from approving a proposal submitted by PNM to reduce carbon emissions. The company's plan would use a less costly method to reduce emissions than one proposed by the EPA and environmentalists. Commissioners opposed to the company's approach said the PNM plan doesn't go far enough.
Candidates for two major county offices will debate their qualifications for the jobs in a forum set for tonight. The candidates for county treasurer will speak at 5:30. They are Pat Varela and Oliver Garcia. That will be followed by a debate among the three candidates for county clerk -- Tara Lujan, Letitia Montoya and Geraldine Salazar. The Santa Fe Democratic Party is sponsoring the event. KSFR's Bill Dupuy will moderate.
The Supreme Court hears its final day of arguments today on the merits of the national healthcare reform act. The matter being discussed today will focus on whether all provisions of the Affordable Care Act must be scrapped if the mandate to buy health insurance is found unconstitutional. The high court could render its decision by June. KSFR asked Sen. Tom Udall of NM if the line of questioning by the supreme court justices are an indicator of how they might act on the matter before them.*****
Wildfire investigators say the grassfire in Chimayo Sunday was caused by sparks from battery jumper cables laying on the ground. The fire burned several homes and forced occupants of others to evacuate for a time. A man was using the cables when a spark set off the dry grass. No citation has been issued in the matter.
Weather for Santa Fe - sunny, dry and warm days continue well into next week. Daytime highs today through Sunday in the low 70s. Overnight lows near 40 degrees.
© Copyright 2013, KSFR
