An ethics complaint charging Santa Fe City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Patti Bushee with violating the city’s public finance code has been rejected. Reports says the City’s Ethics and Campaign Review Board voted 4-0 to dismiss the charges that emanated over the summer over a private check Bushee wrote to her former campaign manager. Bushee has since qualified for public campaign financing. The City ethics panel found no violations.
Horse slaughterhouses in New Mexico and Missouri are working to begin processing equine for human consumption. This, after an order last week by a federal appeals court that lifted an emergency stay on the companies' plans to open. A representative of the firm that owns the plants says both are working to open as soon as possible. The Humane Society, which took action to halt the openings vows the fight isn’t over.
When the New Mexico Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committee meets today, committee members will hear a presentation on how tax policy can be used to improve child well-being. New Mexico Voices for Children’s Bill Jordan says that New Mexico kids’ well-being has dropped to dead-last in the nation, and he will explain to lawmakers about current tax inequities: *****Dec. 17 Jordan-1 :15***** Jordan says not only is that unfair, but certainly a contributing factor to the poor outcomes that kids are experiencing in New Mexico.
Santa Fe Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a weekend vandalism incident at Pojoaque High School that resulted in 25-thousand dollars’ damage. Reports say two vandals are seen on security video early Saturday morning smashing out a row of windows at the high school. School officials say district employees used sheets of plywood to temporarily repair the damage, and classes were held as usual on Monday.
A former schoolteacher has launched a website aimed at helping parents keep their kids out of much of the standardized testing that is a key part of government education reform programs. KOB-TV reports that Kris Nielsen of Las Cruces has launched the “N-M Refuse the Tests” website that encourages parents to opt their kids out of the testing. The website professes a mission to educate all about what it terms “the myths and propaganda being spread by the state,” regarding public education.
Congressman Ben Ray Luján visits Santa Fe’s César Chavez Elementary School in Santa Fe later this morning, where the Democrat will discuss with school staff efforts to provide students with healthy foods. The visit comes in light of recent federal cuts to the food-stamp program and New Mexico leading the nation in childhood hunger. Lujan later today stops by the YDI Española Head Start Centers, where he will the importance of investing in Head Start and early education programs that he says are essential to future student success.
Santa Fe Weather: Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Tomorrow: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.