TODAY'S TOP STORIES: Proposed nuke funding cuts for LANL
In the news today, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has recommended in a report that funds be slashed for a $1.29 billion nuclear warhead program at LANL. Michael Coleman and John Fleck note that the proposed cuts put Rep. Tom Udall, whose district includes the labs, in a difficult position as he campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
In Albuquerque, City Councilor Debbie O'Malley has sharply criticized Mayor Martin Chavez for thwarting the council's wishes by cutting a deal for a balloon landing site just before the council would have taken that power for itself. On the front page of this morning's Albuquerque Journal, Dan McKay reports two of O'Malley's best jabs, calling Chavez "unethical" and a "little king." Meanwhile, the paper's editorial page says despite their bickering, the deal—which O'Malley originally proposed a year ago—was good for the city, recalling that the site was originally eyed for a WalMart SuperCenter.
Just when you thought it was over, two Democratic primary races that were decided by a handful of votes will be recounted. A new state law requires recounts for elections decided by less than one-half of 1 percent. The AP reports that in one case, State Sen. David Ulibarri (D-Grants) beat two primary opponents by a mere eight votes (.2 percent). In another, Bernalillo county Metropolitan Court judge candidate Edward Benavidez also beat two primary opponents, this time by 148 votes (.4 percent). The recounts will begin on July 1 and must be completed within a week.
In Santa Fe, the City Council will debate a plan to levy a 1 percent sales tax on homes that cost more than $650,000. The money would be used to fund affordable housing. If the Council approves the plan, Santa Feans would be able to vote on the issue in an election this summer. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:
Many of the city's public-safety workers such as police and firefighters commute to their jobs, including a good number who live as far south as Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. But the exodus isn't just among those workers or even among teachers and nurses, also considered an essential part of the work force. The migration of families and workers in nearly every Santa Fe industry means about $300 million skips town each year, according to a report last fall funded by the McCune Charitable Foundation.
"Truly, the average folks are saying it makes sense to us to tax the over-$650,000 houses because we don't know the people who live in them anyway," [City Councilor Rosemary] Romero said.
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