Morning Word: Watchdogs Urge Reforms

Watchdogs Propose Solutions

Last night, KOB investigative reporter Ryan Luby wrapped up the station’s four-part series that identified even more

. Luby talked to Common Cause New Mexico’s Viki Harrison, the interim secretary of state, and others about ways to fix the inconsistent reporting problems.

Papen's Account Investigated

Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, told the Las Cruces Sun-News investigators are trying to figure out who

and who stole personal items from her home. Carlos Andres López reports: Although the suspect has not been officially identified, Papen said she strongly believes that her former assistant, Stephen Siddall, 43, may be responsible for the missing funds. Siddall, who is accused of fraudulently using Smith’s credit card over the summer, was arrested last week in Roswell on credit card fraud charges.

Sooner than Later

The Association of Commerce and Industry, according to Deborah Baker at the Albuquerque Journal, wants Gov. Susana Martinez and state lawmakers to

now, rather than wait for the Legislature to convene in mid-January.

Tribes Warned about Pot

After federal raids on tribal marijuana farms in other states,

and “weigh the risks involved before moving forward with legalizing and growing pot.”

Aggressive Student Loan Collections

People with outstanding student loan debts who stop paying down their loans are being

. The Santa Fe New Mexican has the Associated Press story this morning.

Retaking PARCC

Nearly 3,000 Albuquerque Public Schools seniors are having to retake segments of the PARCC test this week

next spring.

No Change

A recount in one of the Nov. 3 City Council races in Las Cruces

. That means Kassandra Gandara will retain her District 1 seat, and Jack Eakman will be the representative for District 4.

Berry Gets Big Thumbs Down

Albuquerque

, according to a poll published by the ABQ Free Press . More than 89.4 percent of the people who responded to the unscientific online poll said they were "unlikely" or "extremely unlikely" to vote for Berry again.

Tax Climate

The 12th annual edition of the

ranks the competitiveness of  New Mexico’s tax code as 35th in the country, but first for our property tax structure.

Staying Put

Daniel J. Chacón reports Santa Fe’s landmark red caboose has finally been saved and will stay in the City Different.

at St. Francis Drive and Cerrillos Road.

Clean Energy Costs

The New Mexico Environment Department is

for a plan on meeting federal requirements for cleaner power plants. Elizabeth Miller reports: The EPA gives the state the option to craft its own plan and choose the rate by which to set emissions, based on total tons of carbon dioxide emitted each year, known as a mass-based plan, or on pounds emitted per megawatt of electricity generated, a rate-based plan. New Mexico emitted just under 18 million short tons of carbon dioxide in 2012, and was given a goal of 12.4 million tons of CO

emissions total, or 1,146 pounds per megawatt hour, by 2030.

Santa Fe Reporter