Morning Word: Keller Urges Governor to Spend

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oney for capital outlays may not have been approved by lawmakers, but the state auditor may have a way to get some projects funded. That could boost the state's economy and create jobs. Still no word from prosecutors if they'll charge Phil Griego with a crime in connection to the real estate commissions he earned. That, plus film crews are keeping busy around the state.

It's Tuesday, March 24, 2015

State Auditor Tim Keller says that while lawmakers went home without approving a capital outlay bill, some projects could still get funded. He wants Gov. Susana Martinez to consider using some of the $4.5 billion he found languishing on state ledgers.

Read it at KOB.   Until that money is put to work, Santa Fe will be without $12 million in capital outlay funds for projects it wants to get rolling. Steve Terrell has more.  Phil Griego, who resigned from the state Senate on March 14, will receive $18,000 a year from his state pension unless he’s charged and convicted of felony crimes in connection to the commission he received from a real estate deal he pushed through the legislature in 2014. Legislators contribute $600 a year to their fund, and after five years in the Roundhouse, they’re eligible to receive $1,000 for every year of service. Neither the attorney general nor First Judicial District Attorney Angela “Spence” Pacheco have said whether they’re considering charging Griego with violations of the Government Conduct Act – a fourth degree felony. New Mexico Watchdog has more. Former White House Domestic Violence Czar Lynn Rosenthal, who led a state domestic violence coalition in New Mexico in the past, wants Gov. Susana Martinez to return a $10,400 contribution she received from Texas developer Marcus Hiles. He was convicted on a domestic violence charge in Nevada in 2012.

The Martinez re-election campaign claims it no longer has the money to return to Hiles or donate to charity.

Read more at Roundhouse Roundup.

A government watchdog reports claims even more money will be needed to clean up radioactive waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Associated Press has more.  Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Taos, has applied to be the next Albuquerque Public Schools' superintendent.

Gonzales is just one of 44 applicants for the job. Journalist Andrew Oxford has more at the Taos News.  The National Education Association, a union representing teachers, wants to take a new look at the total time it takes to complete PARCC tests.

Joey Peters has more at SFR. 

A retired Air Force colonel who lives in San Juan County is one of 100 service members whose personal information was posted online by a group claiming affiliation with ISIS. New Mexico law enforcement agencies are looking into what their role will be in protecting the retired service member, including close patrols to his home. Read it at KRQE.  Gambling addiction affects 1 out of every 45 New Mexicans, and a responsible gaming counselor says beating it can be as difficult as kicking an alcohol or drug addiction. Read more at the Ruidoso News.  The Chicana and Chicano studies programs at the University of New Mexico is growing fast. Now the faculty senate has voted to make the program its own department. David Lynch has details at the Daily Lobo.  Los Alamos County is doubling as Canada in Director Tjardus Greidanus’ newest film.

Read more at the Los Alamos Monitor.  Longmire

crews are also shooting scenes around Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Valles Caldera and in Pecos through June.

Netflix picked the show up for its fourth season after A&E cancelled the show last year. Adrian Gomez has more.  The Lady Lobos’ postseason run in the Women's Invitational Basketball tournament has come to an end. Oral Roberts beat UNM by one basket, 63-61, on Monday.

Read it at the Daily Lobo. 

Santa Fe Reporter