The number of repairs and reconstruction needed for New Mexico's aging roads is far outpacing the funding available for such projects. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the state's road fund received roughly 381 million dollars last year, some five-million dollars less than the year before. Meanwhile, a national research group recently stated that just immediate road work alone amounts to 730 million. Transportation officials say the road fund primarily gets money from gasoline tax revenues, which have stayed flat for the past decade. They say more fuel-efficient vehicles are leading to drivers buying less at the pump. State lawmakers say it is inevitable that New Mexico will have to find ways to increase funding for infrastructure improvements. New Mexico last raised the state fuel tax in 1993.
A small brush fire located on Mt. Taylor off of Forest Road 400 called the Root Fire was reported around seven-p.m. Sunday. The most recent report says the fire has burned an estimated half-acre and was caused by a lightning strike. The Cibola National Forest wishes to remind the public that New Mexico is still suffering from several years of drought and that fire danger is high. Conditions regarding fire restrictions are being monitored and are expected to be in place in the coming weeks.
Several New Mexico military veterans are back on the field but the only enemy they are fighting is fire. The New Mexican reports that the state's Returning Heroes program has trained 25 veterans to help battle wildfires. The veterans have been learning new skills while also working on prescribed burns and forest-thinning projects. Now in its first full year of operation, the State Forestry Division's program was established in 2013 to help get vets back to work. Governor Susana Martinez and lawmakers approved nearly two-million dollars in funding to maintain the program for two years. The state says it is seeking other partnerships to find work for four-thousand unemployed veterans.
A proposal to establish gender-neutral restrooms in Santa Fe has passed one hurdle. The New Mexican reports that Mayor Javier Gonzales' initiative recently squeaked by a City Council committee. The public works committee voted 3-2 in favor of the restrooms, which are meant to cater to the transgender community. The proposed ordinance calls for businesses and government buildings to label single-occupancy restrooms as family restrooms that could be used by anyone, regardless of gender. The designation would not apply to restrooms with multiple stalls. The proposal includes an added provision in which the city would study how much it would cost to give family restroom signs to businesses. Gonzales, who is openly gay, first announced his proposal during his State of the City address in February.
In Valencia County, the District Attorney’s unique effort to combat truancy is showing positive results. Local prosecutor Lemuel Martinez says truancy rates are dropping after he recently charged parents of knowingly allowing their child to miss 10 days of school without a legitimate excuse. The parents receive letters from the school district before they are charged. Martinez says the first offense calls for a 100-dollars fine and community service. A second offense can lead to a petty misdemeanor charge. Martinez says he wants to make parents aware, not punish them.
New Mexico Spaceport Authority executive director Christine Anderson will present new strategies next month for generating revenue for the multi-million dollar spaceport. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the revised five-year business plan calls for Spaceport to look for new tenants, market the facility for commercial filming and open up for tourism. Spaceport America's hopes have been tied to anchor tenant Virgin Galactic, which is developing a spaceship. But Virgin Galactic suffered a huge setback last fall when a rocket-powered spacecraft broke apart during a test flight in the California desert, killing one pilot.
Taxes imposed in Dona Ana and Sierra counties have helped pay for the spaceport. Some lawmakers say they're tired of taxpayers footing the bill. Anderson says the goal is to rely less on legislative-approved funding. Las Cruces tourism officials say they will not interfere with an unannounced mural going up on the building they occupy. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that a group of artists say the owner of the building that houses the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau gave them permission to paint the mural over the weekend. The mural shows a woman surrounded by flowers and birds. The Visitors Bureau initially threatened to cover it up last week. But Bureau executive director Philip San Filippo now says it's the owner's right to allow a mural but he would have liked input on the design. He says the attorney who owns the building may not have informed them because he has been ill.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today with a 40-percent chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Tonight, there’s a 70-percent chance for showers. It will be partly cloudy with the overnight low, 44. Tomorrow: expect partly sunny skies with the high topping out at 44 and a 50-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms.