Morning Word: EPA Grilled

Good morning. It's Thursday, September 10, 2015.

'Inexcusable'

The chairman of the US House Science Committee says the Environmental Protection Agency’s actions in causing a

were “inexcusable.” Meanwhile, Democrats on the committee say they’re

for ways to clean up thousands of old abandoned mines.

Banking Pressure

The US Justice Department is finally making

involved in the financial market meltdown and other corporate scandals a priority. Prosecutors want Wall Street firms to turn over evidence that could be used to build criminal cases.

'Falling Short'

Gov. Susana Martinez wants colleges to help the state

on time. At her Summit on Higher Education at UNM, Martinez also said high schools should be doing a better job preparing students for the next level of their education. Today, Governor Susana Martinez will highlight New Mexico Highlands University for its efforts to set nearly all of its degree programs to 120 credit hours needed to graduate, allowing students to earn a degree in four years or less.

Open Government

Speaking of education, Santa Fe District Judge Sarah Singleton has ordered the Public Education Department to

$14,000 in legal fees after it failed to turn over public records that would back up an assertion made by Secretary Hanna Skandera that 99 percent of state teachers were rated effective under the state’s old educator evaluation system.

Risky Alternatives

Santa Fe councilors are

that developers provide at least 20 percent of their new housing developments at affordable prices to income-qualified homebuyers. Daniel J. Chacón reports the Pulte Group, which is planning to build 300 single-family homes near Monte Del Sol Charter School, prefers to trade six building lots to Habitat Humanity for affordable housing buildouts. Meanwhile,

with 460 units and another 120 beds for skilled nursing care on 28 acres just off NM Highway 599.

Intense Debate

Dan McKay reports that last night’s City Council meeting in the Duke City was intense. Councilors want to know why Mayor Richard Berry’s administration is providing

, even after a similar program for rank-and-file officers expired in July with the end of a union contract. Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson on Wednesday blasted the retention bonus program for 19 members of the Albuquerque Police Department’s command staff as “extortion” and “offensive,” and she said

.

Police Oversight

Months after Albuquerque’s new police oversight board was set up, councilors have finally selected a new director for the group.

who served as vice chairman of a similar oversight group in Wisconsin.

Fair Days

The New Mexico State Fair opens its 10-day run today with

. Charles D. Brunt has a preview and interview with Expo New Mexico General Manager Dan Mourning.

Best Burgers

Eight Santa Fe chefs will be competing in the third annual

tonight at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion in the Railyard. We can’t wait to see who is deemed “Reigning Chomp.”

16 Weeks

Beer and nacho vendors have been waiting all summer for tonight’s

featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. I think you know who we’ll be rooting for in this one after the Patriots unveil their fourth Super Bowl banner at Gillette Stadium.

Santa Fe Reporter