Morning Word: Fee Increases Planned in Santa Fe

Finance Committee approves $82 million operating budget

Santa Fe Budget Overhaul

Residents in Santa Fe won’t see tax increases, but

, passed by the city’s finance committee last night, calls for spending cuts and recreation, parking and land-use fee increases. City councilors are scheduled to vote on the proposal on May 25.

Albuquerque Budget Approved

In Albuquerque, city councilors also approved

The city plans to borrow another $18 million for capital projects, including $6 million to complete financing for five baseball and softball fields, money for a Route 66 visitors center and funds for a memorial for West Mesa murder victims.

APS Plans Workforce Reduction

The state’s largest school district plans to cut

to help it address its $9.5 million budget shortfall.

The number of APS teachers will decrease by 82 from 5,646 to 5,565 and educational assistants will decrease by 73 from 1,527 to 1,454 – changes tied to steadily falling enrollment. With fewer students, APS needs fewer classroom employees.
Udall Plans Meeting with Garland

Tomorrow, US Sen. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, will meet with Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee to fill the vacancy on the US Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Udall has said Garland has an impressive record as a jurist committed to public service.

to examine Garland's record and to allow senators to cast a vote on his confirmation.

No Evidence? 

Attorneys for Tai Chan want a judge to

against the former Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputy. They’ve filed a motion claiming that “state prosecutors do not have evidence that Chan prepared, deliberated or planned the Oct. 28, 2014 killing of fellow Santa Fe County Deputy Jeremy Martin.” 

Auditor Scrutinizes Election Budgets

“State Auditor Tim Keller says

– requiring $25 million from the state to plug the gaps later – and that it’s time to fix the situation,” reports Deborah Baker.

Secretary of State Brad Winter on Monday acknowledged the pattern of emergency grants, loans and special appropriations. But he said the problem is not the budget his office proposes but the funding it gets.
Balderas and Berry Top Poll

A poll commissioned by

shows that New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry have early leads in the 2018 governor’s race. 

Mountain Lion Captured in Santa Fe

A 150-pound male mountain lion that had been spotted wandering around Santa Fe was

by some local dogs and then relocated to the wilderness after being tranquilized and having a paw injury checked out.

Blake’s Tops Reader Rankings

USA Today readers picked Blake’s Lotaburger’s

 as the best in New Mexico.

Blake’s, with 75 locations in New Mexico and additional sites in El Paso and Tucson, Ariz., topped a geographically diverse list. Owl Cafe (San Antonio, Albuquerque) finished second, while Big Mike’s Grill (Belen), Sparky’s (Hatch) and Anaheim Jacks (Ruidoso) rounded out the top five.
Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.