State legislators gather at the Roundhouse to hear Governor Susana Martinez' thoughts on the state of the state and then get to work on a budget and other matters over the next 30-days. Albuquerque Democratic Senator Cisco McSorley, asked to share his hopes for the session, says number one is the economy:*****0121-McSorley-1 :23***** McSorley is also hoping the legislature can solve the lottery scholarship's funding woes and handle problems with child protective services, and take on the behavioral health provider controversy as well. Senator Lisa Torraco of Albuquerque on her expectations for Governor Susana Martinez' State of the State address, which will officially launch the legislative session.*****0121-Torraco-2 :29***** Senator Lisa Torraco.
A new report from the Washington-D-C based organization TRIP concludes that New Mexico's transportation system is in need of improvements totaling two-billion dollars. TRIP spokesman Rocky Moretti testified before the New Mexico House Transportation Committee last week. *****0121-Moretti-2 :30***** The report states the average driver in places like Santa Fe and Albuquerque spends on average 460-dollars a year in extra vehicle operating costs because of the rough roads.
Facing a decline in surgeries, a Santa Fe medical facility is closing its doors next month. The New Mexican reports 30 employees will lose their jobs at Physicians Plaza Surgery Center when it closes its same-day operating room February 28th. Facility administrators say physicians handled nearly eight-thousand procedures in 2006. Last year, there were less than six-thousand procedures. David Delgado, president of SVH Support, the nonprofit which owns the building, said he is hoping staff can find positions at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. And a spokesman for Christus St. Vincent, says the hospital is prepared to handle increased patient volume.
The federal budget signed last week by President Barack Obama blocks the resumption of the commercial slaughter of horses, including a slaughterhouse planned for Roswell. The budget withholds money for federal inspections of the slaughterhouses, blocking the opening of plants in New Mexico, Missouri and Iowa. The last domestic horse slaughterhouses closed in 2007.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny today, with a high near 52. Tonight