7 N.M. Mail Processing Centers Part of USPS Cuts

Pulaski note: Most of these cuts across the country and in NM will target rural areas.  From therepublic.com -The American Postal Workers Union says seven New Mexico mail processing facilities have been approved for consolidation.  The union announced Thursday that facilities in Alamogordo, Clovis, Farmington, Roswell, Socorro, Truth or Consequences and Tucumcari are part of the U.S. Postal Service's national consolidation plan. No timetable has been set for the cuts, which were announced Thursday in places around the country. The agency says cuts are needed to meet budget demands exacerbated by a 25 percent decline in mail volume since 2006. Congress has several months to intervene with legislation that would alter cost-cutting plans.  The USPS said the closures nationwide will reduce operating costs by $20 billion by 2015.

7 N.M. Mail Processing Centers Part of USPS Cuts

Dede Feldman Stepping Down From N.M. Senate

Dede Feldman

From nmwatchdog.org -In a surprising move, one of the most liberal and well-known state senators in the Roundhouse announced Friday (Feb. 24) that she’s retiring.  Dede Feldman (D-Albuquerque) sent out a message to her constituents “Now it is time for me to move on into new fields, and clear the way for someone new to carry the torch,” Sen. Feldman said. For the last 16 years, Feldman has been an important voice from the left side of the political aisle in Santa Fe, especially in areas like health care, where she has been an enthusiastic supporter of President Obama’s health care reform initiative. Feldman also chaired the Senate Public Affairs Committee.  “Don’t expect me to keep quiet or vanish from the scene,” she said in the e-mail. In her most recent election, Feldman ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections in 2008.  More News New Mexico

Dede Feldman Stepping Down From N.M. Senate

Skandera Moves Ahead with Reforms



Hanna Skandera

KOB - New Mexico's Education Secretary forges full speed ahead with plans for a new statewide teacher evaluation system, even though there's no approval from the state legislature. On Wednesday, Governor Susana Martinez said she would side-step the legislature and use executive powers to establish the evaluations for teachers and principals, and it is already in the planning stages. "Now is the time," said Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera right before briefing the board of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. "I would say as we look back at the legislative session we may be disappointed in some of our legislators in holding out for the status quo, but we are not deterred." Read full story here: News New Mexico

Skandera Moves Ahead with Reforms