Morning Word: Defense Bill Includes Millions for New Mexico Base

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here might not be any capital outlay money for state construction jobs in New Mexico this year, but the economy in Clovis could be getting a big boost if Congress approves funding for big dollar projects at Cannon Air Force Base. That plus the Tapia-Padilla family feud continues.

It's Friday, May 22, 2015

US Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, voted to advance funding for big-dollar projects at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis.

Read more here.

The New Mexico Board of Finance has decided to provide the Office of the Public Defender an emergency $400,000 loan they need to continue to provide defendants legal representation through the end of June. But the courts have denied funds for magistrate courts, which will have to solve their budget crunch another way. Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News. The state of New Mexico has reached a settlement with two advocacy groups, which claimed people with developmental disabilities were denied access to care.

Steve Terrell has details. Despite testimony that shows renewable energy sources are a reliable and cost-efficient energy source, business leaders are rallying behind the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s plan to continue using coal and imported nuclear power. Read it at ABQ Business First. A Terrier Black Brant missile test was aborted at White Sands Missile Range on Thursday after its flight trajectory failed.

"It was brought down over the range, where no damage to anyone or anything could be done," said Cammy Montory, WSMR spokeswoman. "A sweep of US [Highway] 70 was also conducted to make sure no debris from the rocket fell on the road. No debris were found on the highway." The Las Cruces Sun-News has more.  The US Air Force wants to incinerate targets such as incoming missiles with laser weapons mounted on C-17s by 2023, and a lot of the development on the weapon’s system is being done in New Mexico.

Read more here.  That’s not the only system being developed here. The Army is also developing its air defense system at the range. Read more here.  Those new state-mandated teacher evaluations are supposed to help educators improve and develop their classroom skills, but close to two dozen teachers in Taos have burned their evaluations, claiming they’re riddled with errors. Cody Hooks reports.  Meanwhile, Albuquerque Public School Board members have voted not to pay the state for PARCC testing. Read it here.  The widow of boxing champ Johnny Tapia continues to battle the Padilla family in Albuquerque. She’s suing them for trademark infringement. Yesterday, Tapia admitted to felony drug convictions and told reporters she’s in fear for her life. She didn’t list any specific threats or mention that her cousin Pamela Chavez testified in court earlier this week that she believed that Tapia has forged her notary signature on legal documents. See it at KOB.com.  Television’s “Judge Judy” Sheindlin delivered the commencement speech to graduates in Shiprock. She told the students to enjoy their life’s journey.

See the video here. 

Like you, we're headed out to enjoy a long 3-day holiday weekend, so there won't be a Morning Word on Monday. We'll be back on Tuesday with a big state news recap.

Santa Fe Reporter