Today marks the 74th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor by Japan, which pushed the United States into World War II and you can expect remembrances throughout the state (and nation) today.
Meanwhile, there are still a few other things to watch for today, December 7.
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1. Budget projections
The Legislative Finance Committee starts its December meetings today with a bang—a look at the latest General Fund revenue projections for next year.
The meeting will take place at the State Capitol from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (the meeting will actuall start with an 8:00 a.m. executive session for staff briefings that is not open to the public). If you can’t make it to Santa Fe, the hearing will be webcast.
With oil prices still stuck near $40 per barrel, you can expect to hear Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, who chair the panel, talk about belt-tightening.
The committee will also hear from State Engineer Tom Blaine, Director of the Interstate Stream Commission Deborah Dixon, Secretary of Taxation and Revenue Demesia Padilla, Corrections Department Secretary Gregg Mercantel and General Services Department Secretary Ed Burckle.
The committee will also meet Tuesday through Thursday.
2. Public input on new food stamp restrictions
The state Human Services Department will hold public input on the latest attempt to attach work requirements to the food stamp program.
Groups like the NM Center on Law and Poverty and SouthWest Organizing Project oppose the effort by Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration and will surely be organized.
This is the first of two meetings, both of which will occur in Santa Fe at the Harold Runnels Auditorium. Today’s will be from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the second one will take place in a week (Dec. 14) at 9:00 a.m.
3. Roswell gets input on Clean Power Plan
The public meeting roadshow by the state Environment Department heads to Roswell, where members of the public will get to weigh in on the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to cut carbon emissions.
The meeting will take place from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation (the first hour will be an open house and the presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m.).
“The meetings include a brief introduction to the Clean Power Plan, followed by the opportunity for interested citizens to provide input to the New Mexico Environment Department and to ask questions regarding the final rule,” the NMED press release says.
