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monday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
October 19, 2009
In reversal, governor backs education cuts
Foot of Fury
by Deborah Baker The Associated Press
SANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson on Saturday proposed a 1.5 percent cut in education spending as New Mexico lawmakers decide how to backfill a $650 million hole in this year’s state budget during a special legislative session. The proposal to cut public schools and colleges by at least $40 million was a turnabout for the governor, who had previously said he didn’t want to touch education. He said the revision reflected the state’s “new budget realities.” Just weeks ago, the revenue shortfall was thought to be $400 million for the fiscal year that began July 1, but the number has since been revised upward. “Cuts must include safeguards that classrooms, kids and teachers will not be affected,” Richardson said in a statement. He did not elaborate, but a spokeswoman in his office said later that administrative costs were one example of
possible cuts. The special legislative session that began Saturday promises to turn into a pitched battle over how to balance this year’s $5.5 billion budget. “It’s going to be ugly, any way we go … the problem is of such a large magnitude,” said Senate Finance Chairman John Arthur Smith, a Democrat from Deming. The education community said even a 1.5 percent cut was unacceptable. Teachers, administrators, parents and school-board members packed the Senate and House galleries, and youngsters toting red balloons marched around the Capitol yelling, “Don’t cut education.” “They absolutely have to listen to this, or their heads are in the sand,” said Christine Trujillo, president of the American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico. Richardson made it clear in his official proclamation for the session that he doesn’t want lawmakers to
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Gabbi Campos / Daily Lobo Micro Wrestler J-Mazing, right, kicks Little Ricki in the throat during a wrestling match held at the Rock the Ink convention at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Sunday. Check out dailylobo.com for a multimedia piece on the wrestling action.
Cancer treatment advances honored by Kallie Red-Horse Daily Lobo
UNM professor Shaung Luan has received the first-ever Qforma Lectureship award for making technological advances in radiology treatment that reduce the amount of time cancer patients spend in the hospital. Luan, an assistant professor of radiology and computer science, assisted in the development of two software programs to improve linear-accelerator-based cancer treatment, minimizing patient time in radiology machines. Luan was not available for comment last week, but in a statement
on the UNM School of Engineering Web site, Luan said that though his work is difficult, it’s also fulfilling. “I’ll never forget the first day they used my algorithm to treat patients,” he said. “I was nervous, but it worked. That’s when I decided to make it the focus of my career.” Luan said his innovations have reduced the amount of time it takes to treat tumors using radiation. “Treatment time can be as much as 80 percent shorter,” he said. “We can deliver a higher dose of radiation to the tumor and less to surrounding structures.” According to the Qforma Web site, the company provides predictive modeling technologies for the
health sciences industry. Computer Science Department Chairwoman Stephanie Forrest said Luan’s award has benefitted her entire department. “We are very thrilled to have this award in the department,” Forrest said. “We are happy that he received it and we are grateful to Qforma for sponsoring it.” Qforma Chief Scientific Officer Roger Jones said that in selecting the recipient for the $5,000 lectureship award, the company looks for candidates who display promise in their own research and in motivating computer science students. “Qforma is looking for
Representative Al Park applauds during the special session of the 44th state Legislature in Santa Fe on Saturday. The Legislature met to discuss how to address New Mexico’s estimated $650 million deficit, including a proposed 1.5 percent education cut. Robert Maes / Daily Lobo
see Qforma page 3
Violence bloodies Rio slums as Olympic plans move ahead by Flora Charner
The Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO — At least 2,000 police officers patrolled this coastal city Sunday, and Brazilian officials pledged to host a violence-free 2016 Olympics despite bloody drug-gang shoot-outs that left 14 people dead. An hours-long firefight between rival gangs Saturday in one of the city’s slums killed at least 12 people, injured six and saw a police helicopter shot down and eight buses set on fire. Police said Sunday that they killed two other suspected drug
Inside the
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traffickers in overnight clashes near the Morro dos Macacos (“Monkey Hill”) slum where the gangs fought for territory a day earlier. But the area was largely peaceful. Two officers died and four were injured Saturday when bullets from the gang battle ripped into their helicopter hovering overhead, forcing it into a fiery crash landing on a soccer field. Officials said they did not know if the gangs targeted the helicopter or it was hit by stray bullets. Gunfire on the ground killed 10 suspected gunmen and wounded two bystanders. Authorities said the violence only
toughened their resolve to improve security ahead of the Olympics and before 2014, when Brazil will host the World Cup soccer tournament with key games in Rio, the country’s second-biggest city. Rio state Public Safety Director Jose Beltrame told reporters that the violence was limited to a specific area of the city of 6 million and “is not a problem throughout all of Rio de Janeiro.” He said authorities will follow through with promised efforts to reduce crime. “We proved to the Olympic Committee that we have plans and
Fist bump
Higher goals
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proposals for Rio de Janeiro,” Beltrame said. “We proved that our current policy not only consists of going into battle; it also consists of keeping the peace.” Rio state Gov. Sergio Cabral said earlier that the city’s security challenges can’t be cured “by magic in the short term.” But money is being poured into programs to reduce crime, and authorities are prepared to mount an overwhelming security presence at the sporting events to ensure safety, he said. Saturday’s fighting raged about five miles southwest of one of the zones where Rio’s 2016 Olympics
will be held. It was on Oct. 2 that the city was chosen over Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo to host the games. Rio alone among the bid cities was highlighted for questions about security ahead of the vote by the International Olympic Committee. Rio is one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Although violence is mostly contained within its sprawling shantytowns, it sometimes spills into posh beach neighborhoods and periodically shuts down a highway linking the international airport to
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