Morning Word: Electoral College Vote Set

Electoral College Convenes to Elect Trump Today

At least 37 Republican electors would have to

today to change the outcome of the presidential election, an unlikely scenario as Donald Trump prepares to move into the White House.

Wilson Tells Staff She'd Considered Intelligence Post

New Mexico Political Report posted a copy of the letter Heather Wilson sent to her colleagues at the South Dakota School of Mines after she met with Donald Trump’s transition team to talk about the Director of National Intelligence post. Wilson told staff

, but “when a President or President-elect asks you to consider whether your gifts could be used in the service of the nation, you have to be willing to consider it.” Carly Fiorina, who ran for the Republican nomination, is considered the frontrunner for the job.

Unemployment Rate Up

No one likes to be out of a job during the holidays, but the

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reports the unemployment rate in November was 6.7 percent, up from 6.6 percent a year ago.

The national rate was 4.6 percent.

Six Years of Controversy

After New Mexico Tax and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla’s resignation “jolted” state government last week, Steve Terrell decided to l

that have caused headaches for Gov. Susana Martinez over the past six years.

Additional Roundhouse Security Measures Proposed

The Capitol Security Subcommittee is recommending

at the Roundhouse ahead of the 2017 Legislature, which convenes in Santa Fe in less than a month.

Higher Education Secretary Could Lead UNM

New Mexico Higher Education Department Secretary

as a potential candidate to replace University of New Mexico President Bob Frank. She has, according to blogger Joe Monahan, “received kudos for promising a reform report in September of next year to resolve the dysfunction of higher education in the state which has too many institutions, too many governing boards and a shortage of money to fund them.” Damron would be the university’s first woman president.

Cyber Sales Tax Considered

Andrew Oxford reports, “Cyberspace

for New Mexico shoppers much longer."

Dallas Fans Smiling Today

Dallas Cowboys' fans are celebrating their team’s

Sunday Night. After beating Tampa Bay 26-20, the Cowboys are now 12-2. Denver fans are

after the New England Patriots beat the Broncos 16-3.

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