Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Gila National Forest is in the early stages of Forest Plan Revision and invites the public to participate in upcoming Community Conversations about the process. The Forest Plan is an important document that guides management actions. The end result of the revision process will be a plan that describes the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next 10 to 15 years. For information about a Community Conversation near you, call 388-8201 or email gilaplan@fs.fed.us. Visit our website at Silver City Radio dot com to find out how you can learn more.
The Cobre School Board recently met to discuss student identifiable information, limited personnel, and contracts for food service during a close session, and heard Cobre High School Principal Frank Quarrell speak about upcoming testing for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. During public input, one concerned citizen stated that testing was out of control, regardless of the hard work everyone was doing to meet the demands. She said the testing was helping corporate pockets, but hurting kids, the curriculum, and creating excessive stress.
A degree in Human Services has recently received approval from the New Mexico Higher Learning Commission to be offered as an associate degree through the Department of Social Work at Western New Mexico University beginning in the upcoming summer session. The decision to develop the new degree program was prompted by a shortage of frontline human services workers in state agencies and non-profit agencies.
In legislative action:
Legislation that will crack down on corrupt government officials by toughening penalties passed the House floor today by a unanimous vote. The legislation, sponsored by Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry, can add as much as one additional year of jail time for government officials and government employees convicted of felony corruption offenses. In addition, the legislation bans corrupt officials from lobbying or contracting with the state, making it a third-degree felony if they attempt to do so. It would also require the posting of felony corruption offenses at government offices.
The House Education Committee met yesterday to debate a bill that suspends the driver’s licenses of high school students who stop attending class. The proposal is one of many aimed at tackling the state’s high school dropout rate.
Several proposals to address the state’s crumbling highways have emerged during the session. One proposal seeks a remedy for the roadways that would not raise taxes, but instead re-direct the motor vehicle excise tax to the road fund.
