Morning Word: Budget Volatility Not New

By Peter St. Cyr

Budget Volatility Not New

As lawmakers consider options to reduce budget shortfalls, Dan Boyd reports that

volatility in the state’s revenue stream isn’t new

: In just the past 10 years, there have been three budget years–2009, 2010 and 2016–in which recurring revenue levels have fallen by more than 8 percent from the previous year’s levels. And the state ranked eighth nationally in tax revenue volatility over a recent 20-year period, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Advocates: Don't Cut Pre-K Programs

If planned tax cuts aren’t frozen or delayed, the only other real option is to start cutting spending. That’s not something that child well-being experts want, especially now that

pre-k programs appear to be boosting educational outcomes

for low-income children. They say the program should continue to be funded.

Lawsuit: State contractors ordered employees to commit fraud

A former New Mexico Works program employee’s new lawsuit accuses five former contract company managers with instructing her and other employees

“to commit illegal and possibly fraudulent acts”

processing TANF and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program applications.

Mourners Celebrate Martens' Birthday

Thousands of people gathered Sunday in an Albuquerque park to give Victoria Martens the big birthday celebration she wanted, while

mourners try to make sense of 10-year-old’s brutal killing

.

New Juried Process for Indian Market Artists

The Santa Fe New Mexican and Associated Press report artists who’ve earned tenure at Indian Market in Santa Fe will have to

vie for a spot like everyone else

starting next year. Organizers have decided they want everyone to compete through a juried process, which some contend could favor younger, more contemporary artists.

Quarterback Sparks Controversy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to

sit through the national anthem

to protest police use of force and what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States.is getting mixed reactions from NFL fans around the country, with some people supporting his stands while others burn his jersey number in effigy.

Junior Chef Honored

Foodies will love this. A Las Cruces boy who

invented a recipe for green chile cheese rolls and lime jicama fries

, and won top prize in first lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, was recognized for his culinary talents during a visit to the White House.

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