Governor Susana Martinez has kicked off her inauguration celebration with a gala in Las Cruces last night, set to be followed by additional events this week. Martinez, the nation's only Latina governor, cruised to an easy victory in November. Her inaugural celebration continues Wednesday evening with a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. On New Year's Day, the governor will be joined for her official swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol by First Gentleman Chuck Franco, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and Secretary of State Dianna Duran, among others. An inaugural ball will be held later that evening at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Also from Governor Martinez…. she has renewed a request that the Obama administration try to extradite from Cuba the last living suspect in the 1971 shooting death of a New Mexico state police officer. Previous attempts by state officials were unsuccessful, but now President Barack Obama's move to thaw U.S. relations with Cuba has given some who have fought for justice new hope. The Albuquerque Journal reports Martinez sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Attorney General Eric Holder asking for them to push for the return of Charlie Hill. Hill, Michael Finney and Ralph Goodwin were accused in the murder of Robert Rosenbloom, who was gunned down during a traffic stop. They fled the country by hijacking an airliner from Albuquerque's airport. Finney and Goodwin later died in Cuba.
Some Albuquerque officials say they are troubled that top staffers in the city's police department are getting salary bonuses. The Albuquerque Journal reported recently that city councilors say retention bonuses are meant for rank-and-file officers, not department executives. The city council received data last week showing a request for one-million dollars in annual retention pay for more than 100 officers, including Police Chief Gorden Eden and some deputy chiefs. The city last month adopted legislation offering up to 12-thousand dollars to officers within one or two years of retirement. The measure is an effort to help with an officer shortage. A police spokesman says Eden is declining the bonus. The Albuquerque police union says it supports officers of any rank receiving pay for which they are eligible.
Meantime, Albuquerque police officials say their policy for the use of body cameras is one of the strictest in the nation, but nearly impossible to follow. They tell the Albuquerque Journal that a new policy for lapel cameras is being crafted and will be in place next year. Albuquerque officials recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to overhaul the police force following more than 40 shootings since 2010. Under the agreement, Albuquerque must provide better training for officers, but some critics say it should have come down harder on enforcement of camera policies. Of the disagreements between Police Chief Gorden Eden and the city's independent review officer, most are related to camera violations. Albuquerque police have one of the largest caches of cameras for a department its size, with more than 700.
While New Mexico lawmakers continue to debate increases to the state's minimum wage, some cities are pushing ahead and already have wages that are higher than the minimum. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that business owners in Las Cruces are preparing for a minimum wage hike that starts Jan. 1, the first of three increases planned over the next four years. The newspaper reports that on Jan. 1 minimum wage in the city will increase 90 cents per hour — from $7.50 to $8.40. Some local business owners have already made changes in anticipation of the increase, while others say they may have to raise prices or cut back on hours.
New Mexico has been awarded about $2 million from the federal government to help overhaul the state's health care system. The Alamogordo Daily News reports that New Mexico is one 28 states to receive the funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money, provided through the Affordable Care Act, is aimed at helping states design health care payment and service models to improve quality and lower costs.
Health officials say noroviruses are on the rise in New Mexico with suspected or confirmed cases nearly doubling in the state in 2014. The Albuquerque Journal reports there have been 49 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in New Mexico this year, up from 27 in 2013. Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Health officials say people need to take precautions, especially around the young and elderly. Protective measures include washing hands often and isolating sick people.
Weather-wise, northern New Mexico can expect some very cold temperatures moving into the area today. Andy Church is a meteorologist at the Albuquerque National Weather Service office: *****122914-Church-1 :30***** Today’s forecast is calling for : Mostly sunny today with the high near 30. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with the overnight low 15 and a slight chance for snow showers. Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow and the high, 22.