Infrastructure funds to be spent in Santa Fe

Infrastructure!

A massive infrastructure bill approved by the Legislature this year is set to benefit Santa Fe. Lawmakers approved more than $900 million, and some of those funds were earmarked for a state crime lab and a Department of Public Safety records storage facility—and they're both being built here in town. This construction and other deferred maintenance work will create jobs, and once it is done, officials say we'll see even more state jobs become available.

Funds on the rise

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is upping the pay of some of her cabinet members from $128,000 to $150,000. That's a 17% raise. This move will cost taxpayers $550,000 a year and the gov's office says it's worth it, making a cabinet position competitive for other government jobs; for example, $150,000 is still less than what Santa Fe City Clerk Yolanda Vigil makes.

Green Fire Times could be done for

That ubiquitous outside-the-grocery-store Northern New Mexico publication, the Green Fire Times, has suspended publication until August, if not forever. SFR talked to Seth Roffman, the editor-in-chief of GFT, about why its community-based model matters, what will be lost if it can't afford to continue, and what it will take for the pub to stay on newsstands.

Casita conundrum

The discussion over casitas (aka "accessory dwelling units") is still simmering in Santa Fe, and SFR has an update for you as to what is happening now. There haven't been any major developments in the last couple weeks, and a hearing about the proposed rule change has been put off a month, but education is key in these kinds of issues. Mayor Alan Webber says the city is working on it (TNM $). The Santa Fe Housing Action Commission hosts public information sessions tomorrow and Thursday, as well, so you can get questions answered in real time.

The wheels on the bus

Businesses in Albuquerque that have suffered as a result of (ostensibly) public transit-related construction on Central Avenue have had access to loans for the last two years to stay afloat. That program has quietly ended, however, and not only did it not loan out all of the $700,000 it had available, but many other details about it remain secret.

Shooting victim dies

The man shot by 16-year-old Hunter Woods a few weeks ago in Santa Fe, 39-year-old Ricardo Magana, has died. Woods allegedly shot Magana (who was reportedly romantically involved with Woods' mother) in defense of his mother, then Woods absconded in his mother's car and was later involved in two other shooting incidents around town.

Rain didn’t stop it

A small fire is burning in Socorro County; about 15 acres on private land is 0% contained, and has reportedly destroyed two structures and threatens more. No one has mentioned a cause. Another fire down near Roswell has burned nearly 1,000 acres, and was reportedly 60% contained yesterday.

Brrrrrrr

And we were just talking about summer. HA! A cold front came through, as you are probably aware, and chilled things out. Snow on the mountains, sopping wet flakes in town, and everyone driving like they were wearing blindfolds. But don't worry, highs should hit the 60s in Albuquerque today, and the 80s by later in the week. HA! again.

Thanks for reading! The Word thinks the best part of waking up is not the Folgers in her cup (though it is there) … It's being able to write for all of you.