The New Mexico Press

Information may not be reliable

The Velvet Revolution attacks US Chamber Leader

Interactive Map on Rising Unemployment

See what Dr.Tim Ball says on climate change. He is a climatologist and former professor at the University of Winnipeg.

State DWI holiday "Superblitz" starts

SFCC seeks input on Higher Learning Center

Santa Fe passive in recruiting new businesses

Ever wonder what city and county government, the chamber and other agencies are doing to get more businesses to come here?

For one thing, they all pledge to work together to bring good-paying jobs to Santa Fe and the county.

In fact, the citys Economic Development Division promises to visit about 50 businesses a year.

Since September 2008, Santa Fe County has lost 2,700 jobs, according to the state Department of Workforce Solutions. From October 2008 to October 2009, unemployment shot up from 4 percent to 6.9 percent, Workforce Solutions figures show.

Info murky at best on jobs created by stimulus package

The American Resource and Recovery Act was supposed to create or save jobs to help jump-start the American economy.

Closer to home, the stimulus package was supposed to create or save 22,000 jobs in New Mexico. But no one can say how much money Santa Fe County has received in stimulus funds, much less how many jobs have been established or saved here.

Federal and state officials estimate Santa Fe County will receive $29 million from the federal stimulus package during the next two years.

Even if you figure out how much money Santa Fe County has received from the stimulus package, try to determine how many jobs that money has created or saved. The task gets more nebulous.

Federal guidelines will not allow the people in charge to divulge whether the jobs are actually new or whether they prevented a layoff.

Santa Fes living wage draws mixed reviews

Santa Fe sports the highest minimum wage in the country $9.85 an hour.

Santa Fe city councilors, who mandate the pay rate, call this a living wage.

One local businesswoman argues that the living wage is fair, while one businessman says the phrase living wage is a misnomer that lacks incentives to improve yourself.

It misleads youngsters (into thinking) that you can make a living by making $9.85 an hour, said Al Lucero, owner of Marias New Mexican Kitchen. It takes away incentive. They dont try to improve.