Morning Word: Barela Wants to Spur Job Growth

It's Thursday, June 11, 2015

New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela is on a statewide tour to get ideas from the public on ways to spur the state’s economy and hopefully create new jobs through the Local Economic Development Act.

Read more at the Farmington Daily Times.  Pat Vincent-Collawn, the chief executive officer for the Public Service Company of New Mexico, told businesses she’s not surprised the investor-owned utility’s power replacement plan is controversial. Collawn also indicated the electric company will refile its rate increase application by September. PNM’s original application was rejected by an independent hearing officer, who deemed it “incomplete.” Dan Mayfield reports.  The Albuquerque Journal reports Vincent-Collawn has been named to the largest utility trade association in the country.

Read it here.  PNM isn’t the only electric utility seeking a rate hike. Xcel Energy wants Public Regulation Commissioners to approve a 7.6 percent hike for its customers.

Read it here.

The US Border Patrol is being sued by immigrant advocates for detaining migrants in overcrowded, dirty and extremely cold cells. Read it here.  The US Interior Department completed its review of the state’s new tribal gaming compacts.

Susan Montoya Bryan has details.  The detention center in Clovis is looking for ways to clean up black mold found during an air quality test in its medical offices. Read more at the Clovis News Journal. Speaking of health issues, officials here don’t believe the state will be seriously impacted if the US Supreme Court rule against portions of the Affordable Care Act later this summer.

Ellen Marks has more.  New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas wants to hire forensic auditors to take a comprehensive look at those controversial behavioral health audits.

Read the AP story here.  New Mexico may avoid the chaos that would ensue if the court upends Obamacare, but rural hospitals here are already struggling, according to the executive director of New Mexico Health Resources. Read more at ABQ Business First.  Albuquerque's top watchdog has found probable violations in the way the Albuquerque Police Department purchased almost $2 million worth of equipment from Taser. The city’s inspector general also says former police chief Ray Schultz “probably” violated conflict-of-interest laws and other regulations when he accepted meals and trips from Taser.

Dennis Domrzalski has the story. 

Finally, Jeremy Dear, a former Albuquerque police officer, fired for not using his lapel camera last year, will likely keep his law enforcement certification. Dear, and his attorney Tom Grover, say he was given a test unit to use in the field without any training.

KOB has this story.

Santa Fe Reporter