Democrats and a coalition of 40 groups say they will push — again — for legislation that would tap into New Mexico's permanent land fund to expand childhood education. The coalition is plans to announce new efforts today to get the proposal passed during the 30-day legislation session, which begins in January. Under the proposal, voters would decide if New Mexico should use a portion of the state's 15-billion dollar Land Grant Permanent School Fund to dramatically expand childhood education. But Senator John Arthur Smith, chairman of the powerful Legislative Finance Committee, says previous proposals have been "fiscally irresponsible" because they took so much money from the permanent fund. The Deming Democrat says he didn't believe any proposal had any chance of passing the New Mexico Senate.
The third year of enrollment is underway for health insurance coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act, and Santa Fe now has an enrollment center where people can get information and sign up with the help of an enrollment counselor. Debbie Rochford is with the New Mexico Primary Care Association – the group that is running the help center on Rodeo Park Drive. She says anyone can walk into the center for help signing up for insurance, but it’s best to call ahead. *****120115-Rochford :14*****Rochford says counselors are ready to help people get insured, and she encourages them to bring pay stubs, photo ID, social security numbers for everyone in the household who will be insured, and have an idea of household income for the coming year. The process usually takes about an hour. The deadline for coverage beginning in January is December 15th. Rochford says last year about 44-thousand New Mexicans completed the enrollment process.
The city of Albuquerque is working to finalize details for a celebration for new UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm this coming Sunday, Dec. 6. The city says there will be a celebration and parade Sunday from 2-4 p.m. in downtown Albuquerque at City Plaza. Parking will available near Civic Plaza, but the parade route has yet to be set. The Mayor's Office is working with the Albuquerque City Council and Bernalillo County Commission to finalize the details. The city says the event will double as a donation bank for winter clothing that will benefit the Albuquerque Rescue Mission and Albuquerque Christian Children's Home. Monday, Holm's trainer, Mike Winkeljohn, said her world has turned upside down since her victory over Ronda Rousey. "The media attention's been crazy, the fans, the people. My phone alone has had so many texts and messages, I can't get to them all," he said. "I know she's at a whole different level where she can't get back to all of her fans and family and friends that want something from her. She's going to make sure she takes care of everybody; that's how Holly is."
A 150-thousand dollar cash-only bond has been set for suspected drunk driver accused in an Albuquerque crash that killed three people. Jacob Jaramillo's bond was set during a court appearance Monday. It's unclear if he has a lawyer yet. Albuquerque police say the 23-year-old Jaramillo was driving on Interstate 25 early Sunday and his vehicle collided with a car at the Interstate 40 frontage road. Police say the other car was carrying three people. Two died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. They identified those killed as 27-year-old Roberto Mendez, 23-year-old Sergio Mendez-Aguirre and 20-year-old Grace Sinfield. Police say Jaramillo was extremely intoxicated at the time of the crash. He's facing three counts of vehicular homicide and one count each of aggravated DWI and red light violation.
New Mexico state officials say some five-thousand untested rape kits are in state warehouses and crime labs, and it could take roughly five years to work through the backlog. New Mexico Public Safety Secretary Gregory Fouratt told lawmakers Monday that about 75 percent of the kits that haven't been tested stem from cases under the jurisdictions of the Bernalillo County sheriff and Albuquerque police. John Krebsbach, the crime lab director for Albuquerque police, added that some of the cases in the department's backlog date back to the late 1980s — a time when protocol would have called for many of the rape kits to be discarded. Addressing the state backlog could cost about $8 million over five years. New Mexico is among numerous states attempting to address how to decrease the number of untested kits.
New UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm is being honored by her hometown of Albuquerque with a parade set for this Sunday. Holm captured the belt from the previously undefeated Ronda Rousey on Nov. 14 in Australia. She now has a 10-0 record after pulling off the stunning win over Rousey in UFC 193, knocking out the women's bantamweight champ in the second round with a powerful kick to the head. Following the fight, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said the city would plan a celebration to honor the 34-year-old Holm. Albuquerque city councilors then declared November "Holly Holm Month." On Monday, plans were announced for the parade and celebration to honor Holm. The parade is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Sunday with the route and other details to be announced soon.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny today and tomorrow—today’s high, 40, rising to 44 on Wednesday. Tonight: Mostly clear with the overnight low down to 16.