Morning Word: Uptick in Job Creation

Employment increasing, but it's a slow process

By Peter St. Cyr

Job

growth has been slow in New Mexico. While most of the country has seen increases, job creation here has, according to analysts, been mostly sideways. Now, it looks like the state could see progress for at least the next two years.

It's Friday, January 16, 2015

[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

[if gte mso 9]>

While the number of oil rigs in production in New Mexico has dropped below 100 and could lead to job layoffs, employment growth in other industry sectors appears to be growing, but slowly.

Read more at the ABQ Journal.

One analyst predicts the state will add more than 10,000 jobs through 2017.

Read it at ABQ Business First.

Declining oil prices will have a huge impact on higher education funding. Small classes at CNM may be cut. School President Kathie Winograd is also warning it may be forced to slash its budget.

Reduced spending at Sandia National Labs could have a big impact on the local economy.

Read it at the ABQ Journal.

A solar industry executive says PNM is “greenwashing” its power replacement plan because the utility intends to add more coal and nuclear than renewables like wind and solar to its energy mix.

Read more at the Los Alamos Daily Post.

Sunland Park and officials with the New Mexico Environment department want to determine how partially treated water spilled over the border into Sunland Park.

Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Speaking of the environment, it appears the Kirtland Air Force Base is in violation of a water spill cleanup deadline.

Read it at the ABQ Journal.

State Rep.

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard wants to  modernize the procurement process in New Mexico for local businesses

.

 “A better, more accountable procurement process gives New Mexico companies a fair chance to bid on state contracts, keeping money in New Mexico and making better use of taxpayer dollars.  This means more jobs and better opportunities for all New Mexicans.”

Read more at the Los Alamos Daily Post.

Staunch resistance to the grocery sales tax will likely doom reinstatement measure.

See More at KOB 4

A huge community turnout for the inauguration of the 23rd Navajo Council this week.

Pics and story at the Navajo Times.

SFR has learned that State District Court Judge Jennifer Attrep has ordered the New Mexico Department of Health to issue a grower’s license to a Santa Fe nonprofit business in the next round as long as the group continues to meet basic qualification criteria.

Read more here.

At the same time ex-sheriff Tommy Rodella’s lawyer is asking for leniency and a shorter prison sentence, prosecutors are seeking a huge $250,000 fine.

Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.

KRQE’s
Jeff Proctor continues to dominate coverage of the battle between the City of Albuquerque and 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg after she filed open counts of murder against two Albuquerque Police Officers. Proctor reports the officers’ attorneys want the DA removed from the case.

See more here.

KOB reports two police officers involved in the most recent APD shooting on Tuesday have been accused of excessive force in the past.

See the story here.

Mark Ronchetti says we’ll have warmer temps and nice skies for the weekend, so get out and play.  The next winter storm doesn’t look like it will hit the state until the middle of next week.

See Mark's forecast here.

Ready for some championship football?  Good luck Seahawks, Packers, Colts and Patriots fans.

Here’s your NFL conference title games preview.

Santa Fe Reporter

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.