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Squier blasted over ‘hunger’ gaffe Human Services secretary tells task force in an email there’s no sign state’s kids are going hungry
Sidonie Squier
By Steve Terrell and Chris Quintana The New Mexican
State Human Services Secretary Sidonie Squier landed in a new controversy Wednesday after stating in an email to other state officials that “there has never been and is not now any significant evidence of hunger in New Mexico.”
Her statement, first reported by KOAT television news, flies in the face of a report issued in June that said New Mexico has the highest rate of food insecurity for children in the nation. Squier’s comment drew immediate criticism as well as expressions of disbelief from people dealing with hunger issues, and
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she did some serious backpedaling. Squier issued a statement through a spokesman that said her email had been “poorly worded.” The gaffe isn’t the first public dust-up for Squier, who has been Human Services secretary since the outset of Gov. Susana Martinez’s term. She became
Please see HungeR, Page A-5
Santa Fe Concurso puts rare and vintage vehicles on promenade
Top chefs and sommeliers throw down at Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. LOcaL newS, a-6
A sharper new Kindle Amazon unveils its new lineup of customerfriendly tablets. Page a-2
Report: Early-child programs fail to give kids boost Legislative study targets Head Start and CYFD By Robert Nott The New Mexican
Victor Carrillo, owner and operator of Eclipse, a window tinting and auto detailing shop, prepares a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost on Wednesday for the fourth annual Santa Fe Concorso. The car belongs to Doug and Mary White of Winston-Salem, N.C. PHOTOS BY LUIS SÁNCHEZ SATURNO/THE NEW MEXICAN
By Tom Sharpe
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What: Fourth annual Santa Fe Concorso Where: Las Campanas; park at the Municipal Recreation Complex on Caja del Rio Road, off N.M. 599, and take a shuttle to Las Campanas. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 Tickets: $45 in advance via the santafeconsorso. com, $55 at the gate Sunday; $25 for those 15-17, military and first responders; children under 12 free.
The New Mexican
ou might see some unusual automobiles around town this weekend — from vintage Rolls-Royces to new German sports cars. They’re here for the fourth annual Santa Fe Concorso — a beauty pageant for 120 cars, plus a handful of rare motorcycles, bicycles and tractors. Friday’s VIP gala at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport, where a few vintage airplanes also will be on view, is already sold out. But you can still buy tickets to Sunday’s show of vehicles at Las Campanas. A portion of the proceeds go to youth charities in Northern New Mexico. You can also see 100 of the vehicles for free as they caravan through the city on Saturday morning. They’re scheduled to reach Delgado Street and Canyon Road at about 9:30 a.m., and then to Camino del Monte Sol and on to Old Santa Fe Trail on their way to Galisteo. The caravan then heads over to Cerrillos, where they will
Please see cOncuRSO, Page A-5
The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost will be one of 120 cars in the Concurso this weekend at Las Campanas. The event benefits youth charities in Northern New Mexico.
N.M. health exchange premiums among lowest Obamacare’s trade-off: Higher deductibles By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Barry Massey The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — You might be pleased with the low monthly premium for one of the new health insurance plans under President Barack Obama’s overhaul — New Mexicans will see some of the lowest premi-
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$282 $328
Average monthly premium for a midrange insurance plan through New Mexico’s exchange.
Average national premium. u See a breakdown of rates. Page a-5
ums in the nation — but the added expense of copayments and deductibles could burn a hole in your wallet. An independent analysis released
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Wednesday, on the heels of an administration report emphasizing affordable premiums through exchanges in 36 states, is helping to fill out the bottom line for consumers. And while individuals can get dramatically different results through the exchanges based on their particular circumstances, the report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows rates in New Mexico fall far below the national average. Individuals in the state will
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Editor: Ray Rivera, 986-3033, rrivera@sfnewmexican.com Design and headlines: Cynthia Miller, cmiller@sfnewmexican.com
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pay an average of $282 a month for a midrange insurance plan, compared to a national average of $328. Uninsured New Mexicans and small businesses can begin next Tuesday to shop for health plans through the state’s exchange. Consumers can select from plans with a range of coverage called bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The least costly, or bronze plans, will require people to pay more out-of-pocket expenses.
Please see eXcHange, Page A-5
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Main office: 983-3303 Late paper: 986-3010
New Mexico is spending more on early-childhood programs in an effort to close the “opportunity gap” for those in poverty, but the two biggest programs are not producing better academic outcomes. That is a major finding of a new 75-page report presented Wednesday to the Legislative Finance Committee on student achievement in the state. Although research shows that “early reading proficiency is a strong predictor of future educational and employment success,” the report says in New Mexico, “one quarter of children entering kindergarten are unable to read one letter, and over 80 percent of children from lowincome families are behind on the first day of school.”
Please see BOOST, Page A-5
InSIde u Audit finds sex offenders living at child care centers. LOcaL newS, a-6
Pasapick www.pasatiempomagazine.com
Santa Fe art Institute monthly open studio Meet-and-greet with writers and artists in residence, 5:30 p.m., Santa Fe University of Art and Design, 1600 St. Michael’s Drive, 424-5050.
Obituaries Charlotte Hollis Williams, 90, Santa Fe, Sept. 21 Michael Sandoval, 73, Española, Sept. 24 Brent Edward St. Denis, 53, Santa Fe, Sept. 19 Page a-10
Today Mostly sunny. High 78, low 52. Page a-12
Two sections, 24 pages 164th year, No. 269 Publication No. 596-440