When All of the Above Has Nothing Above the Neckline

Commentary by Marita Noon - The State of The Union Address (SOTU) reminded me of the idiom, “on one hand, on the other hand.” On one hand, President Obama extoled efforts to increase fuel efficiency to “help America wean itself off foreign oil.” He touted the new reality of “more oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world, the first time that's happened in nearly twenty years.” On the other hand, he promised to use his “authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations”—which is code for more national monuments and endangered species designations that will lock up federal lands from productive use.
     Concern was expressed for Americans who “are working more than ever just to get by.” He wants to help Africans “double access to electricity and help end extreme poverty.” But his policies are limiting access to electricity in America and raising the cost (20% in the past 6 years). Higher-cost energy is the most punitive to those struggling “just to get by.” Read full column

When All of the Above Has Nothing Above the Neckline

Deadline looms for Gila River decision

New Mexico officials are facing a looming deadline on how to manage the state's last free-flowing river. 

The state has rights to some of the Gila River and one of its tributaries under a 2004 settlement with Arizona but must decide by the end of the year what to do with the water. 

If New Mexico doesn't use the water, it could forgo millions of dollars in federal funds available for construction of a diversion project. 

Environmentalists and sportsmen say any dams or diversions would harm the area's wildlife and limit opportunities for recreation. But farmers throughout the region say the Gila would offer a backup source of water as dry conditions persist. 

Two state senators have introduced legislation this session to try and address the dilemma.

Deadline looms for Gila River decision

Hispanic students in NM top AP exam ranks

Hispanic high school students in New Mexico have taken the top spot nationally in getting passing scores in Advanced Placement classes. 

Gov. Susana Martinez announced that a new report shows nearly half of Hispanic high school graduates in 2013 scored a three or higher on an AP exam. Martinez says 43 percent of the students achieved the score and it is the highest percentage nationwide. She says it is the second year in a row Hispanic students in the state taking at least one AP class have ranked No. 1. 

The state's low-income student population ranked second nationally for AP scores. The report shows almost half of those students who graduated in 2013 took an AP class and 40 percent of them got at least a passing score.

Hispanic students in NM top AP exam ranks

Health exchange enrollment drops in NM

New Mexico's state-run health insurance exchange has sharply reduced its enrollment expectations for this year by about half. 

Mike Nunez, interim chief executive officer of the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange, says problems with the federal healthcare.gov website slowed the state's efforts to promote enrollment. 

The state had expected up to 83,000 people to register this year, according to a 2011 study cited in an application for a grant under the Affordable Care Act. Nunez now estimates only between 40,000 and 50,000 will enroll. 

The exchange announced Thursday it was awarded a $69.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 The first open-enrollment period for individual policies ends March 31.

Health exchange enrollment drops in NM

Mayor Berry weighs in on green chile Super Bowl bet

Hatch Chile (click)

From KOB-TV.COM - By: Jeffery Gordon, KOB.com - Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry weighed in on the Super Bowl bet between the mayors of Denver and Seattle. One of the items at stake is Denver’s green chile.
     KOB Eyewitness News 4 caught up with Berry and asked him what he thinks of the bet. "If the Broncos lose, we'll send them some real green chile from New Mexico, some Hatch green chile and some red chile from Chimayo,” Berry said.
     Officials from Pueblo, Colorado say their area grows several types of chile that are somewhat similar to Hatch Valley Green Chile. Pueblo has an annual Chile and Frijoles Festival.
     The Denver Broncos took on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday in New Jersey and got whipped so New Mexico will need to send some real green chile. More.

Mayor Berry weighs in on green chile Super Bowl bet

Swickard: Parent-Teacher Conferences, Chinese Style

© 2014 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. A friend recently returned from a visit to her childhood home in Liaoyang, China. She has resided in America for many years and is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at an area elementary school. While home she captured on video some of her former city. Also, her nephew had a parent-teacher conference so she took a video at his school.

     The kids looked almost indistinguishable from kids in America. Some smiled, some were shy, some boisterous, they laughed and played outside the school. Walking into the elementary school the kids spoke to the camera when questions were posed. I was surprised they replied in Chinese to Chinese questions and in English to English questions. Most students in China have some conversational ability in English by third grade.

     The parent-teacher conference was crowded. I asked what percentage of Chinese parents attends parent-teacher conferences. She replied, “All of them.” 

     I pushed for the reasons for perfect attendance in China. “First there is strong parental concern about their children. Secondly, Chinese society informally demands parents participate. People not attending are seen as not caring about their children’s education. There is the perception in China that without parental involvement children will not do as well in school.” 

     The group activity was to review the major test given at the end of the semester. The teacher and the parents reviewed each question, not just the scores of the test. The teacher worked each math problem on the board while the parents took notes. This was so these parents could help their children with the material covered by the test. Read full column

Swickard: Parent-Teacher Conferences, Chinese Style

Driver's licenses an issue again for state legislature

From KOB-TV.com - By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4 - The New Mexico State Capitol is once again turning into a battlefield for the issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
     This is the fifth time Gov. Susana Martinez has demanded that state lawmakers dump the 2003 law that allows licenses for people here illegally, and for the fifth time it looks like the numbers in the legislature just don't add up to make that happen.
     About one hundred demonstrators rallied outside the Capitol on Wednesday, armed with 700 milk cartons, each one bearing the Zia symbol and a picture of an immigrant family that relies on somebody having a New Mexico license. The crowd heard from a Lea County dairy farm worker who said he couldn't work without his license. Ditto for another man who works in the oil fields near Hobbs. Protest organizer Marina Pina said the issue is a waste of time in the 30 day legislative session.
     Gov. Martinez fired the first shot in this fight on day one of the session in her State of the State Address. "It's time to act," Martinez proclaimed in her speech. "The legislature should do what the overwhelming majority of New Mexicans are demanding - repeal this dangerous law!"
     The governor may well have the votes to eke out yet another narrow win in the House of Representatives, but she surely does not in the state Senate. More

Driver's licenses an issue again for state legislature

Public Service Company takes another step to close units at San Juan Generating Station

From the Farmington Daily Times - The Public Service Company of New Mexico has taken another step to meet federal emissions rules at San Juan Power Generating Station and close two units at San Juan Generating Station.
     In December last year, PNM submitted a filing with the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission to gain approval for processes that would enable the generating station to meet federal emission standards. The filing contains a proposal to close two units at the station by the end of 2017, to reroute power from Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station to serve PNM customers and to install emission reducing technology, all of which need PRC approval to happen.
     According to the executive summary of the filing, PNM is proposing to close units two and three to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's Regional Haze Rule. "Approval of PNM's Application will also enable the company to move forward with plans to reduce its use of coal and significantly increase its use of cleaner fuels, including natural gas and solar," the filing stated.
     As a result, PNM is asking for 134 megawatts of power from a unit in Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station to be used to replace power lost as a result of the closures. PNM has partial ownership in one unit at the nuclear facility.
     PNM has future plans to build a 144 megawatt natural gas power facility to be used for peak usage, said PNM spokeswoman Valerie Smith, and also build a 40 megawatt solar facility. PNM will ask PRC to approve those plans in the future. More

Public Service Company takes another step to close units at San Juan Generating Station

State lawmaker proposes judge financial statements be online

A state lawmaker is proposing that financial disclosure statements of New Mexico's judges be posted online. 

Democratic Sen. Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque said his measure would increase governmental transparency. Judges and other government officials must file annual financial statements with the secretary of state disclosing sources of income and business interests.

 A spokesman for the secretary of state's office said the agency stopped online posting of all financial disclosures after some officials voiced security concerns because the forms listed residential addresses and personal identifying information. The disclosures can be obtained through a public records request. 

Candelaria's legislation calls for posting disclosures of judges on the secretary of state's web site and the state's online "sunshine portal."

State lawmaker proposes judge financial statements be online

Texas proceeds with water lawsuit against NM

The U.S. Supreme Court says Texas can proceed with its lawsuit against New Mexico over management of the Rio Grande. 

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says he's looking forward to telling New Mexico's side of the story. The court has given the state 60 days to file a motion to dismiss the case. 

Texas accuses New Mexico of allowing illegal diversions of surface and underground water of the Rio Grande near the state line. Texas officials say those diversions take away water from farmers and residents around El Paso, a drought-stricken area that gets about half of its drinking water and most of its irrigation water from the Rio Grande.

New Mexico is also struggling with drought and argues that Texas is getting what's required under a compact between the two states.

Texas proceeds with water lawsuit against NM