Morning Word: Calling It Quits

Change of Plans

Bill Dimas and Patti Bushee, two

of next March’s election. Bushee, who has served five and a half terms, tells Daniel J Chacón local politics to some degree has turned into a “bloodsport.”

Full Power Ahead

Gov. Susana Martinez unveiled

on Monday. Her blueprint for New Mexico, the first in 25 years, calls for tapping every resource available, from nuclear to solar and wind. Political analyst Joe Monahan says the energy plan, and Martinez’ higher education reform proposals, could be

unless the legislature funds them.

Industry Rebound

Despite a huge dropoff in crude oil prices and massive layoffs, industry experts, speaking at the Southeastern New Mexico Mayors' Energy Summit in Carlsbad on Monday, say they

. Oil tycoon T Boone Pickens says he’s optimistic and predicted the price of oil will be back to $70 before next summer.

Health Exchange

Following a national trend, New Mexico Health Connections is

and will only offer HMOs to about 8,000 people next year. The preferred provider plans that were an option for the first two years and allowed people to choose their own doctors outside of a defined network apparently made it difficult for providers like Blue Cross and Blue Shield to control its contracted costs.

Another DOJ Probe Possible

Joey Peters, over at the New Mexico Political Report, is reporting that the US Department of Justice is considering

.The mother of an autistic teen student alleges APS is discriminating against special education students by “funnelling children with disabilities into the juvenile justice system.”

Cleanup Fine

The company that accidentally spilled grease it collects from Santa Fe restaurants and grocery stores will have to reimburse the city $10,000 for

over the weekend.

Impeachment Probe Starts

A special bipartisan panel plans to

against Secretary of State Dianna Duran today, but first they have to decide how to fund the legislative probe. If the House impeaches Duran, the Senate will then put her on trial. It would take a ⅔ majority to remove her from office.

Santa Fe Reporter