Some politics may be in play with Speaker Brian's raise but in fairness New Mexico is in a desperate chase to recruit teachers who are paid much more by neighboring Texas. In that context a 10 percent increase would not be out of the ordinary (but don't look for it to pass).

It's just a little old New Mexico oil boom:

Eddy County saw 7,766 workers employed in the oil and gas industry, an increase of 4,985 jobs since 2009.

Former ABQ mayor and state land commissioner Jim Baca doesn’t have a bad idea here:

. . . Hard attention needs to be paid to the lack of any concerted effort at auditing the oil and gas industry to make sure it pays what it owes. It is no secret that under the Martinez administration, the auditing procedures (have) dissolved. Billions of dollars are being made; millions of barrels of oil are being pumped; and there is little being done to make sure all the numbers are adding up.

Stepped up auditing by the MLG administration and agreed to by the oil guys in exchange for nixing Land Commissioner Garcia Richards' insistence on an oil royalty increase would seem like a decent deal, although Baca and Richard might not agree.

Never mind Santa Fe going nuts at the legislative session, they’re already there in Doña Ana County:

Southern New Mexico's Mesilla Valley, an American hub of pecan production, helped the state lead the United States for the second year in a row.

Well, Senator Cervantes and family must doing well with their agricultural interests. Now if he could only nail down the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

FANTASY ALERT?

Just what kind of fantasy is KOAT-TV peddling? That recently retired ABQ GOP City Councilor Brad Winter stood up to former Republican Mayor Richard Berry? They kissed each others backsides whenever they got the chance. Oh, the article is authored by the former head of Berry's Real Time Crime Center. Got it.

HULK FOR APD?

Here's our personal nominee for the next police chief of Albuquerque in case Chief Geier wants to cut out early:

“The Incredible Hulk's Lou Ferrigno will soon become a deputy in New Mexico. Socorro County Sheriff William Armijo is scheduled to deputize the actor. Officials say Ferrigno will bring decades of law enforcement experience to the department. He will also play a role in recruiting for the department and the county. The 68-year-old has served as a sheriff in Los Angeles and Arizona.

Hallelujah! Finally some traffic enforcement on the ABQ freeways. Now maybe the average speed will be cut from 90 to 80 mph. Or wishful thinking? Well, enjoy while it lasts--it's only for a month:

State police will be out in full force starting (this past) Monday. Officers will be conducting targeted operations on I-25 and I-40 in Bernalillo County. The operation is in response to a request by Albuquerque Police for help with traffic enforcement. State Police say the increased patrols will also help with faster responses to crashes. After 30 days, the department says it will consult with APD to determine if more assistance is needed.

To "determine if more assistance is needed?" Duh? Does a bear do you know what in the woods?