Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
In yesterday’s School Board elections, Silver schools incumbents Trent Petty and Anthony Gutierrez lost to their respective challengers. Frances Vasquez and Michael McMillan will replace Petty and Gutierrez on the school board for the new term. In the Bayard school board elections, incumbent Frank Cordova maintained his seat against challenger Frances Gonzales and incumbent Toy Sepulveda also won against challenger Hector Carrillo.
The Silver High Fighting Colts boys’ basketball team lost last night to the Cobre High Indians by a score of 57 to 45. Silver High is currently looking at 11 wins, 11 losses overall, and 3 wins to 1 loss in the district. Cobre High currently has 10 wins and 9 losses overall, and are 4 and 0 wins for the district. #21 James Lee was selected as Player of the Game. Silver High Lady Colts defeated the Lady Indians 63 to 52. The Lady Indians are 11 and 10 overall and 0 and 4 for the district. The Lady Colts are 5 and 15 overall, and 3 and 1 in the district.
Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “Obamacare has been defined by broken promises and unworkable implementation. It has forced Americans to pay more for their health care coverage, led some to lose their doctors or the insurance plans they designed for their families.” Pearce went on to say “the November elections are proof that the public disapproves of the President’s policies and are calling for changes. My vote today is a step to ensure that true reform strengthens our healthcare system and empowers individuals to make decisions without being burdened by government mandates.”
In Legislative action:
A House committee on Monday voted down two bills that would increase the minimum wage in the state to $10.10 an hour. In a divided opinion, the higher wage would help raise thousands of New Mexicans out of poverty, but would have hurt small businesses. Economists are also divided on the economic effects of minimum wage, particularly over whether wage floors help or hurt job creation. Previous wage increases in New Mexico have not produced significant effects on employment.
A bill to limit vertical IDs to those under 21 years of age passed the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee in a unanimous vote. The bill is intended to help businesses who fear stings and sanctions by liquor enforcement agents by eliminating upright licenses of those who are of lawful drinking age. The bill will not have any financial consequences for the state, but could cause an inconvenience to younger drivers.
A panel of lawmakers voted to keep children from moving the fourth grade if they are not proficient readers, and is headed to a full vote in the House of Representatives. The bill, backed by Governor Martinez, still faces opposition from Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, who says student retention should be based on teachers’ assessment, not test scores.
