Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through 6 am Thursday. Abundant deep tropical moisture continues to flow into southern New Mexico and West Texas. This moisture will help fuel numerous showers and thunderstorms today through Thursday morning. Isolated rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches will be possible, which could lead to flash flooding. The flash flood threat may extend into early Friday.
The Silver City Town Council passed a notice of intent ordinance at its Tuesday, Aug. 9, regular meeting adopting a municipal hold harmless gross receipts tax. According to Mayor Ken Ladner, “In New Mexico, local governments are only allowed to impose taxes that are authorized by the State Legislature. This authority to give and withdraw creates risk of unstable revenue sources for the dependent local governments. The term ‘hold harmless gross receipts tax’ is one of the examples of the State making changes in what is taxed. In 2004, the State eliminated the tax on food and some medical.” Ladner continued, “The state is in a major revenue deficit and must cut expenses or find a new or increased source of revenue. This puts the phaseout of the hold harmless distributions as a major expense on the State’s general fund, front and center. This would leave Silver City with an instant $1.7 million cut in our revenue,” said Ladner.
LULAC Council 8003 held their 32nd annual scholarship banquet on Saturday in the WNMU Mustang Cafeteria. Felicia Bencomo received the Apolonio “Polo” Sierra and Dona Tracy Scholarship, Victoria Ashinhurst received the Lynn Godoy Baca Scholarship, Gabriella Maynes received the Vangie Montes Scholarship, Joshua Saenz received the Art Jackson Memorial Scholarship, Estrella Gonzales received the 1st New Mexico Bank Scholarship, Alyssa Arsola received the Joseph A. Castillo Memorial Scholarship, Brandy Hernandez received the Victoria Sierra Arizaga Memorial Scholarship, Ariana Ortiz received the Fred R. Baca Scholarship, and David Montes received the Mike Montes memorial WNMU full ride scholarship.
Governor Susana Martinez is directing state agencies under her control to reduce annual general-fund spending by 5-percent in response to a decline in state revenues linked to energy prices. This could mean hiring freezes, getting strict with overtime and cutting in-state and out-of-state travel for state employees.
