Morning Word: Senators Push National Renewable Energy Standard

Heinrich and Udall want 30 percent by 2030

By Peter St. Cyr

W

hile lawmakers consider a national renewable energy standard, PNM's investors were approving big raises for executive staff. That, plus New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas shows he'll aggressively prosecute suspected Medicaid fraud. If it's raining where you live, enjoy the wet weather but drive safely. The roads are probably pretty slick.

It's Wednesday, May 13, 2015

US Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, both Democrats, are co-sponsoring a bill that would require utilities, like the Public Service Company of New Mexico, to generate at least 30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. State law already mandates 20 percent by 2020. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  While PNM pushes for rate increases and certification of its coal and nuclear power energy portfolio, investors approved a double-digit increase in compensation for its chief executive officer, Patricia Vincent-Collawn. Read it at the Albuquerque Journal.  PNM isn't the only utility asking New Mexicans to pay more for energy. El Paso Electric is seeking a 9 percent rate hike.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has charged a Raton therapist with Medicaid fraud.


Balderas, who also serves as chairman of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board, says he’ll review the academy's shorter curriculum adopted last year.


Well, this isn’t good: A budget crisis at the Office of the Public Defender is apparently preventing indigent defendants who aren't jailed from being provided a contract defense attorney.


Once a person is convicted of a felony, it’s nearly impossible to find a job, especially if you have to check a box on a job application notifying employers about your past. Now, Sen. Udall says he’ll introduced legislation to “ban the box” for nonviolent offenders.


Steve Terrell reports the New Mexico Department of Health is facing a $6 million deficit. Lawmakers believe it’s due to the department contracting with private nurses to work at state-operated health facilities.
In fact, the amount being spent on nursing services by the Health Department has increased by more than four times in recent years. In the fiscal year that began in July 2011, the department was spending $1.35 million on nursing service contracts. In the coming fiscal year, the department is projected to spend more than $6 million on such contracts. 

Presbyterian Hospital officials say they’ll help fill the gap in behavioral health treatment programs once Frontera leaves the state next month.
Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, has been an outspoken critic of the state’s handling of the behavioral health audit’s aftermath. She requested that Human Services provide more detailed data on how the higher number of New Mexicans receiving behavioral health services are faring. 

The New Mexico Public Education Department has received a waiver for teacher qualifications under the No Child Left Behind program.
“This decision is great news for every school district in New Mexico,” Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera said. “Providing flexibility for districts to better utilize the skills of their most effective teachers will expand the access our students have to excellent instruction. This is a big win for New Mexico’s students.” 
The waiver does not apply to new teachers, however, and school districts can still decide if they want to take advantage of it.


Even with the waiver, the state appears to still have a hard time retaining good teachers.


During his inaugural speech on Tuesday, new Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye pledged to walk the road to “true sovereignty.” He also talked about the importance of tribal members returning to their native land.


Meanwhile, new Navajo Vice President Jonathan Nez says he’ll focus on tribal culture and climate change.


Paul Hommert is retiring this summer after five years as the president of Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque.


Hommert also offered Mayfield a preview of what he thinks is in store for the next lab president.


Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico says it plans to outsource all of its claims processing jobs to outside companies over the next two years.


We told you last week we saw Seth Rogen at the Albuquerque Sunport. Now the NM Film Office has confirmed he’s in New Mexico shooting Preacher, a new television pilot.

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