Senate Approves Proposal to Evaluate Teachers Based on Student Achievement

From therepublic.com- A proposal to evaluate teachers based on student achievement and lay the groundwork for performance-based compensation has cleared the Senate.  The legislation is part of Gov. Susana Martinez's plan for improving New Mexico's public schools.  The Senate approved the measure Friday on a 34-6 vote and sent it to the House for consideration. Opponents objected that 40 percent of the evaluation of some teachers will be based on the academic growth of their students as measured by standardized tests.   More News New Mexico

Senate Approves Proposal to Evaluate Teachers Based on Student Achievement

Stalled New Mexico Energy Projects Cost Billions

From bizjournals.com - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a new study March 10 that says regulatory barriers have stalled five energy projects in New Mexico that could generate $8.2 billion in local economic activity and 18,000 jobs during construction. The estimates are contained in a national report on 351 stalled energy projects in 49 states that, taken together, could represent more than $1 trillion in economic activity.  More News New Mexico

Stalled New Mexico Energy Projects Cost Billions

NM Jobless Rate Rises

From businessweek.com -New Mexico's jobless rate rose to 8.7 percent in January, up from 8.6 percent in December and 8.1 percent in January 2010.  State labor officials say New Mexico lost 3,500 jobs between January 2010 and January 2011.  An analysis shows the state's total nonfarm employment peaked at 849,600 in February 2008, and had fallen to 796,900 in December 2010.  The state Department of Workforce Solutions says seven sectors have reported growth and six had declines.  More News New Mexico

NM Jobless Rate Rises

Haussamen: Bill Changing Retirement Plans

Heath Haussamen

NMPolitics - You may recall me arguing in December that changes to make government retirement plans solvent should apply only to new members, not to those who have already been working toward retirement under different terms. I expressed that sentiment most strongly about an Educational Retirement Board proposal to increase the number of years people had to work before they could retire. Making people work more years than they have been planning for is, in my view, simply unacceptable. So I was disappointed to discover late Thursday that a bill has quietly but quickly made its way to the House floor that would increase the number of years many existing public employees have to work before they can retire. If my math is correct, House Bill 644, sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, could increase the number of years some public employees have to work before they can retire by as many as 12. But before I tell you more about that, let me describe how the bill got to the House floor: Read full story here: News New Mexico

Haussamen: Bill Changing Retirement Plans

Heartbreaking Images From Japan

Xinhua - Sometimes insommia is a problem. When it is we will turn on the television and allow the financial market news from around the world bore us back to sleep. Not last night. When the televison went on we were shocked to see some of these images rolling in. Click here to see some of the amazing pictures from the Xinhua News agency in China: News New Mexico

Heartbreaking Images From Japan

Hawaii and Guam Bracing for Waves

(Reuters) - Hawaii ordered evacuations from coastal areas due to the threat of a tidal wave set off by Friday's earthquake in Japan as a tsunami warning was extended to the whole of the Pacific basin, except mainland United States and Canada. Authorities also ordered evacuation from low-lying areas on the U.S. island territory of Guam in the western Pacific, where residents there were urged to move at least 50 feet above sea level and 100 feet inland. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the warning extended from Mexico down the Pacific coast of South America. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warned that the tsunami is currently higher than some Pacific islands which it could wash over. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Hawaii and Guam Bracing for Waves

Killer 8.9 Earthquake off Coast of Japan

March 11 (Bloomberg) -- Japan was struck by its strongest earthquake in at least a century, an 8.9-magnitude temblor that shook buildings across Tokyo and unleashed a tsunami as high as 10 meters, engulfing towns along the northern coast. At least 26 people were killed by the 33-foot wave and many are missing, according to state broadcaster NHK Television, which showed footage of waves sweeping away buildings and vehicles as far as 1.5 kilometers inland. Airports were closed and bullet train services suspended. More than 4 million homes are without power, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said. The Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea were among more than 20 countries bracing for a possible tsunami, after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center raised an alert. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for the entire U.S. west coast. Sirens were sounded and coastal areas evacuated in Hawaii, the Associated Press reported. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Killer 8.9 Earthquake off Coast of Japan

Extent of Damage and Death Toll Unknown

(CNN) -- The threat of a tsunami prompted the U.S. National Weather Service to issue a warning for at least 20 countries and numerous Pacific islands after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan Friday. The wide-ranging list includes Russia and Indonesia, Central American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica and the U.S. state of Hawaii. The weather service's bulletin is intended "as advice to government agencies." The quake, which struck near the coast of Honshu on Friday afternoon unleashed a wall of water that rushed in toward land, leveling houses and cars in its path. Authorities in the U.S. territory of Guam said a tsunami could hit the island as early as 7:09 p.m. (4:09 a.m. ET). Sirens sounded in Hawaii around 10 p.m. Thursday (3 a.m. ET), warning residents they could expect tsunami waves five hours later. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center early Friday issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas along the United States and Canadian west coasts. The tsunami warning includes coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Conception to the Oregon-Washington border. It also includes coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass to Attu. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Extent of Damage and Death Toll Unknown