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February 8th, Afternoon News

Ortega Points Out Challenges for Next Mayor
There is less than one month remaining before the municipal elections take place in Portales, and Mayor Orlando Ortega took a moment to reflect on his years in office, as well as to look ahead for what challenges his successor will face. The biggest challenge?
“The budget, really. The state government is in trouble- they’re down about five or six million dollars. State government is looking to bake themselves out from the communities. They are wanting to tax us in order to fix their problem. We need to be careful with that. We need to stay on top of that. We are going to have a tight budget, so the city of Portales is going to have to be careful on spending.”
Municipal elections are going to be held on March 2nd.

House Passes Budget Plan
The State House of Representatives passed a budget plan and took action on revenue bills. Governor Bill Richardson commended the House for passage of that legislation, as he said that tough decisions were part of the process. He did say that the House’s plan has potential problems built in, and that is based on tax increases. The Governor said, “I continue to have reservations about tax increases that could hurt our efforts to create jobs.” The budget plan now heads to the Senate for a vote. And in related news to the action of that chamber…
Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish said that if the Senate incorporates an increase on Gross Receipts Taxes, and the vote is a tie, she would vote against the measure because she stated that she feels that such an increase would be harmful to New Mexico families.

State Parks to Remain Open on Furlough Days
Governor Bill Richardson has announced that all state parks will remain open for the reminder of state furlough days. This change has been implemented after several requests were received from New Mexico residents, local municipalities and businesses, who asked that the parks remain open, as the closings could have a negative economic impact. Governor Richardson worked with the State Parks and the State Personnel Office to come up with a plan that calls for state employees to work as needed to keep the parks open on the designated furlough days, but will have to take alternate furlough days off. This change by Governor Richardson will effectively keep Oasis State Park open during the designated furlough days.

February 8th, Morning News

Local NMSP Employee Collects Shoes for Haiti Victims
Help continues to be provided from the local area to those in Haiti affected by last months earthquake. New Mexico State Police employee Roseanne Swoboda began a drive within the department that would provide shoes that could be sent to the victims in Haiti. As of last Thursday, more than 500 pairs of shoes had been collected from within the department and delivered to a Soul 4 Souls collection site in Santa Fe. Soul 4 Souls is a Nashville based charity that collects shoes from footwear companies and through donations to be delivered and donated to others in need across the world. Locally, NMSP employee Noreen Hendrickson was instruemental in collecting several pairs of shoes for the drive. On Wednesday, three large bags were delivered to Santa Fe by officer Matt Romero, followed by a delivery of another 250 pairs of shoes on Thursday that were delivered by Hendricksons husband and son. Captain Jimmy Glascock with the NMSP said of Hendrickson, "Noreen is a very dedicated and caring person who places a tremendous amount of care and effort into her community." Hendrickson is a Dispatcher II from Tucumcari.

Keep Clovis Beautiful Committee Meeting Tonight
The Keep Clovis Beautiful Committee will be meeting this evening at 5:30. During the meeting, sub-committee updates will be heard. Those updates include; home/property beautification, medians, recycling, and education. This meeting will take place in the Assembly Room of the Bert Cabiness City Government Center. For further information on this meeting, contact the Clovis City Managers Office.

Bills Pass Senate and Head to House for Consideration
And in legislative news, The New Mexico Senate has unanimously passed the Sunshine Portal Bill. This bill would allow for the states checkbook and other public information to be placed online for public inspection. This bill will now head to the House of Represenatives for their consideration. Another bill that has passed through the Senate unamiously is SB 134. This bill would allow for Armed Forces Veterans to have one full year after being honorably discharged from service to apply for a New Mexico Legislative Schlorship and attend a New Mexico college or university under the lottery schlorship program. At the current time, veterans only have 120 days after their service to be eligiable for the program. This bill is expected to give veterans ample time to find an educational program to meet their needs. This bill is also headed to the House for their coinsideration.




February 8th, Afternoon News Ortega Points Out Challenges for Next Mayor There is less than one month remaining before the municipal elections take place in Portales, and Mayor Orlando Ortega took a moment to reflect on his years in office, as well as to look ahead for what challenges his successor will face. The biggest challenge? “The budget, really. The state government is in trouble- they’re down about five or six million dollars. State government is looking to bake themselves out from the communities. They are wanting to tax us in order to fix their problem. We need to be careful with that. We need to stay on top of that. We are going to have a tight budget, so the city of Portales is going to have to be careful on spending.” Municipal elections are going to be held on March 2nd. House Passes Budget Plan The State House of Representatives passed a budget plan and took action on revenue bills. Governor Bill Richardson commended the House for passage of that legislation, as he said that tough decisions were part of the process. He did say that the House’s plan has potential problems built in, and that is based on tax increases. The Governor said, “I continue to have reservations about tax increases that could hurt our efforts to create jobs.” The budget plan now heads to the Senate for a vote. And in related news to the action of that chamber… Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish said that if the Senate incorporates an increase on Gross Receipts Taxes, and the vote is a tie, she would vote against the measure because she stated that she feels that such an increase would be harmful to New Mexico families. State Parks to Remain Open on Furlough Days Governor Bill Richardson has announced that all state parks will remain open for the reminder of state furlough days. This change has been implemented after several requests were received from New Mexico residents, local municipalities and businesses, who asked that the parks remain open, as the closings could have a negative economic impact. Governor Richardson worked with the State Parks and the State Personnel Office to come up with a plan that calls for state employees to work as needed to keep the parks open on the designated furlough days, but will have to take alternate furlough days off. This change by Governor Richardson will effectively keep Oasis State Park open during the designated furlough days. February 8th, Morning News Local NMSP Employee Collects Shoes for Haiti Victims Help continues to be provided from the local area to those in Haiti affected by last months earthquake. New Mexico State Police employee Roseanne Swoboda began a drive within the department that would provide shoes that could be sent to the victims in Haiti. As of last Thursday, more than 500 pairs of shoes had been collected from within the department and delivered to a Soul 4 Souls collection site in Santa Fe. Soul 4 Souls is a Nashville based charity that collects shoes from footwear companies and through donations to be delivered and donated to others in need across the world. Locally, NMSP employee Noreen Hendrickson was instruemental in collecting several pairs of shoes for the drive. On Wednesday, three large bags were delivered to Santa Fe by officer Matt Romero, followed by a delivery of another 250 pairs of shoes on Thursday that were delivered by Hendricksons husband and son. Captain Jimmy Glascock with the NMSP said of Hendrickson, "Noreen is a very dedicated and caring person who places a tremendous amount of care and effort into her community." Hendrickson is a Dispatcher II from Tucumcari. Keep Clovis Beautiful Committee Meeting Tonight The Keep Clovis Beautiful Committee will be meeting this evening at 5:30. During the meeting, sub-committee updates will be heard. Those updates include; home/property beautification, medians, recycling, and education. This meeting will take place in the Assembly Room of the Bert Cabiness City Government Center. For further information on this meeting, contact the Clovis City Managers Office. Bills Pass Senate and Head to House for Consideration And in legislative news, The New Mexico Senate has unanimously passed the Sunshine Portal Bill. This bill would allow for the states checkbook and other public information to be placed online for public inspection. This bill will now head to the House of Represenatives for their consideration. Another bill that has passed through the Senate unamiously is SB 134. This bill would allow for Armed Forces Veterans to have one full year after being honorably discharged from service to apply for a New Mexico Legislative Schlorship and attend a New Mexico college or university under the lottery schlorship program. At the current time, veterans only have 120 days after their service to be eligiable for the program. This bill is expected to give veterans ample time to find an educational program to meet their needs. This bill is also headed to the House for their coinsideration.

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