Los Angeles syncs up all 4,500 of its traffic lights

From MSN.com - It has taken 30 years and $400 million, but Los Angeles has finally synchronized its traffic lights in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, becoming the first city in the world to do so. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa said with the 4,500 lights now in sync, commuters will save 2.8 minutes driving five miles in Los Angeles, The New York Times reported. Villaraigosa also said that the average speed would rise more than two miles per hour on city streets and that carbon emissions would be greatly reduced as drivers spend less time starting and stopping.
     The initiative, Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control, began ahead of the 1984 Olympics to preempt traffic snarls as visitors swarmed to events. Today, it uses underground magnetic censors to measure traffic conditions. That data is sent through fiber-optic cables to a central control where, without human intervention, it's analyzed and stored to predict future patterns.
     According to the Times, the control system adjusts traffic signals and has the ability to extend green lights for buses traveling in bus-only lanes during periods of heavy congestion. It also accounts for special events, like the Oscars or a presidential visit, by releasing light patterns to vehicles that advise them of alternative routes. The censors also detect bicycles and pedestrian traffic in certain neighborhoods.
     Despite what the city is calling a victory for commuters and the environment, experts aren’t so sure the expensive innovation can combat greater factors at play. According to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute report, drivers nationwide have wasted more time commuting since 2008. In 2011, they were delayed almost 5.5 billion hours on the road, up from 1.1 billion in 1982. Individuals spent 38 hours delayed in 2011.
     "If we reduce average travel time in Los Angeles by 20 percent, then we will see more people traveling," professor James E. Moore II, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Southern California, told the Times. "It's money well spent, but part of the benefit is not speed but throughput." Read more

Los Angeles syncs up all 4,500 of its traffic lights

Silver Alert program to go live in July

Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation into law to create a statewide Silver Alert program to help locate missing people with dementia and other conditions. 

The law takes effect in July, and the program will notify law enforcement agencies, the news media and others when a person 50 years or older suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia, or a brain injury goes missing. 

About 30 other states operate similar programs, which are modeled after the Amber Alert system that provides for emergency distribution of notices of a child's abduction.

In signing the measure on Monday, Martinez said the Silver Alert program "will protect seniors who might not be able to protect themselves." 

The governor's father died late last year after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Silver Alert program to go live in July

Gov. approves funds for horse testing

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez plans to sign legislation into law to finance more testing of race horses for illegal drug use and impose tougher penalties for violations. 

The governor's office said Martinez is to sign the legislation Tuesday in Las Cruces.

 One measure is to provide an estimated $700,000 a year for testing by the State Racing Commission. The money will come from an existing tax on pari-mutuel wagering at horse racing tracks. 

Under another bill, the commission could impose civil penalties up to $100,000 for violations of rules against performance enhancing drugs for horses. 

The legislation to toughen regulation came after a New York Times investigation last year highlighted horse deaths and jockey injuries at tracks in New Mexico and across the nation.

Gov. approves funds for horse testing

Volunteer firefighter retirement benefits to increase

Retirement benefits will increase for New Mexico's volunteer firefighters under legislation that has been signed into law by Gov. Susana Martinez. 

The measure, which takes effect in July, will boost retirement benefits to $250 a month — up from $200 currently — for volunteer firefighters who are at least age 55 and served for 25 or more years. 

Retirement benefits will increase to $125 a month — from $100 currently — for those who are age 55 and have served at least 10 years but less than 25 years.

 There are about 670 retirees and nearly 5,100 active volunteer firefighters across the state.

Volunteer firefighter retirement benefits to increase

Judge puts NM water lawsuit on hold

A judge has put New Mexico's lawsuit against the federal government over Rio Grande water management on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to take up a separate lawsuit by Texas against New Mexico. 

U.S. District Court Judge James Browning ruled that Texas' lawsuit might render the issues in the state-federal lawsuit moot. 

The litigation revolves around water flowing out of Elephant Butte Reservoir to farms and cities in southern New Mexico and northwest Texas. 

New Mexico alleged the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was releasing water from Elephant Butte for use in Texas that really belonged to New Mexico. Texas alleged groundwater pumping in the Hatch and Mesilla valleys of southern New Mexico was draining the Rio Grande.

Judge puts NM water lawsuit on hold

Obama Creates More Wealth for Green Crony Soros

Commentary by Marita Noon - On Good Friday, a day fewer people would be paying attention to the headlines than on most other days, the Obama administration released news about its plans to raise the price of gasoline. Gasoline prices for the first quarter of 2013 are higher than the same time in 2012. Intentionally pushing prices up would seem stupid in the midst of a struggling economy—that is, if your goal is to help those most impacted by higher fuel and food prices, rather than boosting the bottom line for your billionaire donors.
     The plans, announced Friday, call for stricter limits for sulfur in gasoline—from the current 30 parts per million to 10. (Sulfur is an important element that is found naturally in crude oil has many industrial uses.) The EPA estimates that the low-sulfur gasoline will raise the price of a gallon of gas by “less than a penny,” while industry sources say it will be closer to ten cents a gallon.
     Energy analyst Robert Rapier, told me that the new regulations “will certainly make gasoline more expensive.” He said; “Note that diesel was historically less expensive than gasoline until the ultra-low sulfur diesel standard was passed. Since then, diesel has often been more expensive than gasoline. I am not saying whether or not those standards were needed, maybe they were. But the impact on cost is undeniable. I worked in a refinery when those standards were passed, and we spent a lot of capital making sure we could comply.”
     Though air pollution is a worthy consideration, it is low on the public’s list of priorities, while gas prices are of utmost importance. If the public doesn’t see air pollution as a problem, and the President’s popularity has peaked, why would he put out policy that would hit the middle class the hardest? Because, despite his campaign rhetoric, he’s not “a warrior for the middle class.” Read full column

Obama Creates More Wealth for Green Crony Soros

Steve Alford leaves New Mexico for UCLA job

From KOB-TV.com - Steve Alford said in press conference Saturday that he will leave the New Mexico Lobos head coaching position to lead the UCLA men's basketball team. “It’s been a very hard 48-hours, the toughest decision I have had to make, maybe ever,” Alford said. “That’s because of how much I love this place, UNM, Albuquerque. It really came down to make a decision to go to UCLA, it’s the pinnacle of college basketball.”
     Alford said UCLA approached him with the opportunity to lead the Bruins. “It wasn’t something I went looking for, UCLA sought me out. I think it is a great compliment that UCLA wants something from New Mexico,” he said.
     UCLA first confirmed the decision in a tweet sent out at around 10 a.m., "UCLA is thrilled to welcome Steve Alford and his family to Westwood." UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said, "Steve embodies everything we are looking for in a head coach. He’s passionate, dedicated, experienced and enthusiastic. "
     In another tweet sent out by UCLA, Alford expressed joy in the move, "I’m grateful to Dan Guerrero and chancellor Gene Block for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My family and I are very excited." Alford recently signed a 10-year contract extension with New Mexico that included a $1 million buyout option of his contract if he were to leave. However, that didn't take effect until April 1, which means UCLA might have to pay $150,000 to buyout Alford's UNM contract.
     “I thought I was going to be here a long time, I had just signed a 10-year contract, that was the plan, I had no idea that this opportunity would present itself,” Alford said. Athletic Director Paul Krebs said Alford assistant Craig Neal is the interim head coach. Alford offered his support for Neal to take over the head coaching position. “Coach Neal is ready,” Alford said.
     UCLA will formally announce the hire on Tuesday. In his six seasons at New Mexico, Alford led the Lobos to the postseason each year, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. Read more

Steve Alford leaves New Mexico for UCLA job

Thousands rally during National Day of Action, urge gun control

From KOB-TV.com - "Shame on us," President Obama said Thursday. "If we've forgotten the kids killed at Newtown." Still, his push for gun control is in trouble. Fewer Americans want stricter regulation of firearms.
     Rallies were held across the country Thursday, part of the push by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's DemandAction.org's for tougher laws. The campaign includes television ads featuring Newtown parents as well.
     The goal: A ban of assault weapons and high capacity magazines and comprehensive background checks. There were counter-demonstrations as well. "It's my right to have this firearm and I don't have to defend, to show a need for this firearm to own it," shouted one man carrying an assault rifle at one rally.
     After 20 children died in the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in December support for stricter gun control surged, but it's dropped 9 to 10 points in new polls. President Obama tried to reawaken the outrage during an address at the White House.
     "Why wouldn't we want to close the loophole that allows as many as 40% of all gun purchases to take place without a background check?" he asked.  On that least controversial proposal, backed by 80% in some polls, at least six senate democrats from conservative states could vote no.
     Democrat Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota said, "We can go after and prosecute criminals without the need to infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding North Dakotans." That leaves a defeat in Congress on gun control looking more likely. Read more

Thousands rally during National Day of Action, urge gun control

Gov. signs meeting agenda change into law

New Mexicans will have more notice about public meetings under legislation that has been signed into law by Gov. Susana Martinez. 

Governmental groups, ranging from city councils to school boards and state regulators, will be required to make their meeting agendas publicly available 72 hours in advance. They currently must provide a 24-hour notice of a public meeting agenda.

 Supporters say the new law will foster greater openness in government and may allow more people to attend meetings by giving them a longer notice of what will be discussed or acted upon.

 The measure takes effect June 14.

Gov. signs meeting agenda change into law

Aggie football moves to the Sun Belt Conference

 The Aggie football program made it official Wednesday, announcing its move to the Sun Belt Conference as a football-only member for the 2014 season. 

Such a transition seemed almost essential, with the program set to play an independent schedule in 2013 after the WAC folded as a football conference. 

 During a Wednesday evening press conference at the school, NMSU Athletics Director McKinley Boston said providing a structured schedule with guaranteed home and away conference games was the No. 1 benefit of getting re-secured in an FBS league. 

The Aggies and the University of Idaho were announced as football members into the Sun Belt, moves that were made in conjunction with the additions of Appalachian State and Georgia Southern as conference members in all sports. 

Such additions allows the Sun Belt to get closer to a 12-team football model, with a football-championship game at season's end.

Aggie football moves to the Sun Belt Conference