DAILY LOBO new mexico
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wednesday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
January 20, 2010
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
In address, Richardson warns of tax hikes by Barry Massey and Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
the UNM administration. “There are plenty of other things on campus that money could have gone to that would have been more beneficial,” Wooley said. “Mitchell Hall seemed to me to be, overall, a functional building.” Wooley said he recognizes that the building had lighting problems in the classrooms and the limited amount of technology offered inside, but in this time of budget crisis there is no need to put that much money into the job.
SANTA FE, N.M.— Gov. Bill Richardson warned Tuesday of possible government worker layoffs in the coming year if state agency budgets are slashed, and he opposed reinstating the sales tax on food to deal with New Mexico’s financial problems. On the opening day of the Legislature’s 30-day session, Richardson mapped out an ambitious agenda for lawmakers to pursue in addition to balancing the state’s budget during a time of slumping revenues. “How we respond to tough times like these is a test of who we are as a people,” Richardson said. He proposed a package of ethics and campaign finance reforms, allowing domestic partnerships for unmarried same-sex couples, tougher penalties for drunken driving, a statewide ban on cell phones while driving and measures to promote clean energy development. Senate Republican Whip William Payne said the governor put too much on the Legislature’s plate and controversial issues such as domestic partnerships will slow down legislative proceedings and divert attention from the budget. “These are issues that bring a lot of attention into the Capitol,” said Payne. “Some people benefit from confusion in the system, but I don’t think the taxpayers this year necessarily need that kind of distraction.
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Emma Difani / Daily Lobo Daniel Balderston reads the Daily Lobo in one of the new lounges in Mitchell Hall on Tuesday. The renovated classroom building now offers additional seating areas new interior, upgraded bathrooms and an Outtake’s Deli.
Mitchell’s makeover
by Tim Mousseau Daily Lobo
Mitchell Hall is now open – new, improved and odorless. “We believe we got that (the smell) taken care off,” said Jep Choate, an associate registrar. “I have been in the building now for the past two or three weeks and know the restrooms have been used some — still no smell.” Choate attributed the smell problem mostly to old sewage problems and bad ventilation. Technological changes to
Mitchell include improved learning equipment in classrooms, such as wireless Internet access and a computer pod. The renovations took one year and $9.5 million. Mitchell Hall also has a new interior, energy efficient heating, upgraded restrooms, additional seating areas and an Outtake’s Deli. Choate said most of the classrooms are smaller due to renovations. What the University lost in size they hope to make up for in seating, he said. Before the renovation, 500 classes were taught at Mitchell Hall each semester. Choate said Mitchell
Hall now has fewer classrooms but would not specify how many. “There are fewer classrooms and a few classrooms have decreased in size,” Choate said. “However, there is new furnishing in all classrooms, even some tables at the request of teachers. The furniture makes the rooms more flexible.” Despite all the changes, some students do not feel the renovations are worth the $9.5 million price tag. Junior Ryan Wooley said he is excited about the changes made to Mitchell Hall, but does not think they should have been a priority to
Lt. Gov. hopefuls weigh myriad issues by Tricia Remark Daily Lobo
More than 200 UNM students and community members came to the UNM School of Law last Thursday to decide which Democratic lieutenant governor candidate they would support. Students voiced ideas for change to the five candidates — Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Lawrence Rael, Joe Campos, Linda Lopez and Brian Colon — during the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County’s lieutenant governor candidates’ forum. “I just came to see what the different candidates for lieutenant governor have to say. There are so many running, it’s kind of exciting,” said
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student Jake Wellman. “The health care debate — that’s a big thing. Also, a huge issue to me is the environment and higher education.” Each candidate was asked five questions with topics including national health care and tax increases. Diane Denish, New Mexico’s lieutenant governor, is running for governor during the November elections. Candidate Jerry Ortiz y Pino — a state senator for five years — said it is necessary to advocate for changes in government that Democrats want. “Most of the other candidates are wonderful people, but they’re very centrist in their views,” Ortiz y Pino said. “I think that if we mimic the Republicans by offering centrist candidates, we’re going to have a hard
time attracting the voters that elected Obama.” Ortiz y Pino said his first priority, if elected, would be to fix New Mexico’s tax policy. He said the tax laws on the books now give cuts to the wealthy and put a burden on the poor. Candidate Joe Campos, mayor of Santa Rosa and a state representative, said his recent trip to Germany solidified the importance of his main campaign platform — renewable energy. He also said he is in favor of national health care. “I am a perfect example of good health care,” he said at the forum. “Just two years ago, I had a disk removed in my back. I was pretty much a cripple. Good health care is able
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Junfu Han / Daily Lobo Candidate Joe Campos outlines his plans for renewable energy at the Democratic Lt. Governor candidate’s forum Jan. 14 at the UNM School of Law. The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County sponsored the event, and topics ranged from public school reform to the budget crisis.
Where are we?
End of an era
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