Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Mayor Michael Morones proclaimed the week of March 8-14 as Girl Scout Week at the March 10 Silver City Town Council Meeting. The Town Council approved two public celebration permit applications by the Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery for the Annual New Mexico Brewers Guild Celebration “Toadfest Tap Takeover” scheduled for April 11th. The Public Works Director also informed the Council that the Hudston Street Bridge Project has started and the bridge will close sometime in the first two weeks of April
The Cobre School Board on Monday evening heard a letter addressed to the superintendent, administrators and school board from concerned parents, teachers, taxpayers and students regarding PARCC testing. The letter asked them to stand against PARCC testing and asked for a written policy that would protect all students and parents from punishment or retaliation for opting out of the testing. Next, the letter asked the district to send a letter to all parents explaining the PARCC and how its findings would be used.
In legislative action:
A measure that would give judges and the Adult Parole Board authority to issue permanent “no contact” orders to convicted domestic abusers –for any length of time- is awaiting its first Senate Committee hearing. The bill’s sponsor says it would give domestic violence victims a break from having to deal with perpetrators. Victims of domestic abuse could participate in parole hearings by phone and would also allow another person to appear instead of the victim, on behalf of the victim.
A New Mexico Senate panel has voted along party lines to stop the advance of a bill that prohibits requiring workers to join a union and pay dues as a condition of employment. The vote, effectively blocking the bill, comes after hours of testimony and debate over weeks on a hot-button issue that has taken center stage during this legislative session. The proposal also include a 50-cent-per-hour minimum wage increase to $8.