New Mexico
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9:07 p.m.
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The tentative Senate campaign of John Sanchez is apparently about to end all together. GOP sources say the Lt. Governor is preparing to exit the contest and while one of his consultants says he won't enter the GOP race for the ABQ House seat, Republican eyes will still be watching. Filing date for the congressional races is Feb. 14. Sanchez's Senate effort never caught fire. He loaned himsel...
Joe Monahan - 12:08 a.m. - 10 clicks 
Representative David Chavez released documents this morning crying foul about a post which Democracy for New Mexico put up yesterday. A link to that post is here. A quick recap of the post; Rep. Chavez introduced House Joint Resolution (HJR22)......
Democracy for New Mexico - Thu 8:27 p.m. - 12 clicks
Everyone seems to be talking about the 1980 New Mexico Prison Riot. Tours are being given at the burned out facility where 33 inmates died at the hands of other maniacal prisoners. Many other prisoners wanted no part of the chaos and this is where the weenies come into the story. In 1980 I was serving as Director of the Alcohol Beverage Control Department. We were in a b...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Thu 9:02 a.m. - 11 clicks
Anthony Fleg, MD Happy February to our Green Fire Times readers. With the holidays now a distant memory, most of you are back to work, working for a cleaner, greener planet. Beyond our work and activism, you probably spend time doing all you can for your partners, children, and family members. A simple…...
Green Fire Times - Thu 3:04 a.m. - 28 clicks
The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced another round of grants to expand School-Based Health Centers in rural New Mexico communities. Centers funded include: Ben Archer Health Center, Hatch ($500,000), Las Clinicas Del Norte, Inc., El Rito ($300,000) and the NM Department of Health, Santa Fe ($112,000). “School-Based Health…...
Green Fire Times - Thu 3:04 a.m. - 11 clicks
Tori Lee Blasts from the conch shell still reverberate in the ears. Copal smoke used in energy cleansings and healing wafts upwards, carrying the intentions of healers and learners who strive to impart and receive knowledge from nature. A soft drumbeat accompanies the sweet aroma of the smoke as it finds its way…...
Green Fire Times - Thu 2:21 a.m. - 28 clicks
Something is happening here but you don't know what it is... famously crooned Bob Dylan . It's a fitting phrase for the never-ending debate at the NM Legislature over Governor Martinez's repeated pleas to repeal the law allowing undocumented immigrants to have driver's licenses. Just why can't she win on what appears to be a no-brainer issue? After all, she repeatedly warns lawmakers that po...
Joe Monahan - Thu 12:02 a.m. - 14 clicks
The following was provided by the Hector Balderas for Senate Campaign. Today, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 1032 and five New Mexico leaders announced their support for Hector Balderas' candidacy for United States Senate. These endorsements add......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 2:49 p.m. - 13 clicks
The following information was provided by the Marty Chavez for Congress Campaign. In a filing with the FEC yesterday, former Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez reported total receipts of $164,030.21 to his campaign for the period between October 1, 2011 and......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 2:25 p.m. - 17 clicks
The following was provided by the Eric Griego for Congress Campaign. Today, Eric Griego for Congress in New Mexico’s First District released the 2011 4th quarter fundraising report. The campaign raised more than $142,000, more than double the $64,000 reported......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 2:07 p.m. - 10 clicks
This Thursday, Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel for the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), will be presenting in ABQ at the University of New Mexico on: "Protecting New Mexico: Elevating Community Rights Above Corporate Rights" Does Your Community Have......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 10:43 a.m. - 14 clicks
From the Marty Chavez for Congress Campaign. On Monday, former Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez held a press conference at Jefferson Green, New Mexico's first USGBC LEED Gold Certified building, to discuss his plan to stimulate job growth in New Mexico's......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 5:04 a.m. - 13 clicks
The federal candidate cash reports have poured in for the final quarter of last year and here's where it takes the Alligator consensus: ---Eric Griego and Marty Chavez are neck and neck for the ABQ Dem US House nomination with Michelle Lujan Grisham having the money now to join them and Dan Lewis assumes the front-runner role for the Republican nod. ---Martin Heinrich is the hands-down fr...
Joe Monahan - Wed 12:01 a.m. - 14 clicks
A victory for the people! A big Thank You goes out to every Democratic Legislator and Independent Rep. Nunez and the one lone brave R, Rep. Tripp of Socorro. House Memorial 4, sponsored by State Representative Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque,......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 7:24 p.m. - 12 clicks
"It's All About Water -- Films and Conversation," a two-day film festival and public forum, will explore concerns about the pollution of our waters and water sustainability, including discussion of issues in the Southwest, New Mexico and Albuquerque. The festival......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 6:20 p.m. - 12 clicks
Hakim Bellamy is the Strategic Communications Director at Media Literacy Project Last week, Media Literacy Project (MLP) attended the Second Annual Anti-Racism Day at the New Mexico State Legislature. Having served on the planning committee for this day of action,......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 6:20 p.m. - 11 clicks
Below are the endorsed candidates and bond questions recommended by the Northern New Mexico Group of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter. Detailed candidate endorsements are attached for all four districts. The Northern New Mexico Group researched these bond questions......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 5:26 p.m. - 16 clicks
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus gathered today to discuss their ideas for tax reform proposed in this session. Senators Morales, Eichenberg, Fischmann and Wirth, as well as Majority Leader Sanchez laid out several bills that would make the New......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 2:22 p.m. - 15 clicks
Senator Munoz from Gallup, NM is a Balkanizer in my view. He wants to gut the Rail Runner that serves the Middle Rio Grande and Santa Fe Communities because his constituents don't use it. That is true. They don't use it. But they do use our airport quite a bit, so any one from his district should pay $100 to use the Albuquerque Airport. And anyone from McKinley county...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Tue 8:22 a.m. - 17 clicks
He likes to hunt and enjoys a good baloney sandwich but other than that we haven't heard much from First Gentleman Chuck Franco during his wife's first year in office. But word is getting out on Franco's push to improve the state's literacy: With about 46 percent of New Mexico's native English speakers reading at a sixth-grade level or below, the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy is pushing...
Joe Monahan - Tue 12:26 a.m. - 15 clicks
I am recovering from the wedding in Wyoming this weekend. What a great place it is at the Grand Tetons. It reminds us about what is so special in the west, and yet our politicos on the right would drill every square foot. So, they might want to read this poll , done by republicans, to figure out where they need to follow the people. ...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Mon 11:46 a.m. - 14 clicks
Seeking to create an air of inevitably, the campaign of Dem US Senate candidate Martin Heinrich has released a poll that shows him pounding rival Hector Balderas 52%-22% among likely voters in the June primary. Among Anglos he leads 57%-15% and among Hispanics his lead is 46%-30%. (Complete poll here .) This campaign poll and Heinrich's earlier disclosure that at the end of last ye...
Joe Monahan - Mon 12:07 a.m. - 2 clicks
This is what a forest fire can do. It’s a photo of the area around Cochiti Mesa after last summer’s Las Conchas Fire. Although this fire was not caused by fireworks—many others have been, including the one in the bosque in the North Valley of Albuquerque in 2003. That may be why so many people have signed an on-line petition......
State Senator Dede Feldman - Jan 27 - 12 clicks
New Mexico Dems have reason to be increasingly confident about their 2012 election prospects and the reason resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Obama's rejuvenation--if that's what it turns out to be--could foil the R's hopes of picking up a couple of state House seats and taking control of the chamber. And they could also be denied the open ABQ congressional seat and the big prize...
Joe Monahan - Jan 26 - 6 clicks
Are we creating a caste system in which former or current public employees are looked down upon as 'untouchables'? The latest evidence is that of former exempt employees of Governor Richardson being denied unemployment benefits. The Martinez administration is seeing to it that the wives and children of those former public servants are being made to suffer in her prosecutor's 'revenge'...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 25 - 6 clicks
The dynamic that has prevailed in Santa Fe since the Republican Governor took charge with a Dem-controlled Legislature remains fully intact one week into the 2012 legislative session. And that dynamic is gridlock. In other words, not a whole lot of meaningful legislation is going to get to the desk of the Guv. What will get done is the primary task of a short, 30 day session--the crafting of a ...
Joe Monahan - Jan 25 - 2 clicks
Oscar-winner Ernest Borgnine is 95 today. Borgnine won the best actor Oscar in 1956 for the lead in Marty. The film also won best picture, director and screenplay (Paddy Chayefsky). Borgnine is however, perhaps best known as Lieutenant Commander Quinton … Continue reading → ...
NewMexiKen - Jan 24
… was proclaimed on this date in 1923. Around 1100 A.D. ancient peoples embarked on an ambitious building project along the Animas River in northwestern New Mexico. Work gangs excavated, filled, and leveled more than two and a half acres … Continue reading → ...
NewMexiKen - Jan 24
There is a lot of finger pointing going on about settling of police misconduct law suits against the city of Albuquerque. Former Mayor Marty Chavez would not settle lawsuits which was a risky business because runaway juries could end up giving huge awards that would cripple the city's self insurance fund. Now Mayor Berry is faced with settling a lot of cases that have occurred during h...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 24 - 2 clicks
Udall & Heinrich Rep. Martin Heinrich looks more than ready to join Tom Udall in the US Senate in this pic we snapped of the pair at a reception put on by NM Sikhs following the opening day ceremonies of the NM Legislature. We asked Heinrich if we could dub the photo a Udall endorsement of his Senate candidacy. He quickly quipped, "It's my endorsement of Tom Udall." Heinrich faces Hector...
Joe Monahan - Jan 24 - 3 clicks
Let's clear this up for those who may be new at this. The following statement from Governor Martinez in reaction to Mitt Romney mentioning her as a possible vice-presidential running mate in no way rules out her taking the Veep nomination, if offered: "She has no interest in serving as vice president and will not be a candidate for the position." Not going to be a "candidate." Huh? There...
Joe Monahan - Jan 23 - 2 clicks
It is really quite evident that New Mexico has put many of its eggs into one basket. That would be the oil and gas industry mainly. Every time there is a move in the price of natural gas the State's Revenues are overly affected. During high prices we get a glut of money that the Governors and Legislators spend freely. During times of falling prices the budget shrivels up li...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 20
It goes without saying that our readers enjoy the political fray, but for some of them their passion for sports is on par with their love of La Politica. We were reminded of that this week when we posted the top five sports stories since statehood was achieved in 1912. Or at least the top five as seen through the lens of longtime GOP political operative and lobbyist Bruce Donisthorpe. Talk abou...
Joe Monahan - Jan 20
Governor Martinez may score high on the likability charts but that doesn't mean the public is going to let their feelings substitute for results. For example, a KOB-TV news poll conducted on its website and being released this week gives Martinez a barely passable grade of C- when it comes to job creation. Not that it's the sole chore of the state's governor to "create jobs" and it's no...
Joe Monahan - Jan 19
I have always thought of New Mexico Speaker of the House Ben Lujan as the right kind of politician. The crafty and sly democratic leader comes from a working man's background in the Espanola valley. He never ever forgot why he went to the legislature. He really truly cares about the less fortunate and poverty stricken. I wish there were more like him in the legislature, and...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 18 - 8 clicks
Speaker Lujan (ABQ Journal) The wrenching personal drama of state House Speaker Ben Lujan, one of New Mexico's most storied political figures, pushed aside the usual opening day headlines of a 30 day legislative session and cast a pall over the capitol, sparked respectful but intense rounds of speculation over who would replace him and pushed aside--for the moment--the agenda of the Repub...
Joe Monahan - Jan 18 - 9 clicks
Santa Fe drama--House Speaker Ben Lujan announced during the noon hour at the opening session of the Legislature that he has stage 4 lung cancer and will not seek re-election to the chamber. He said he has been dealing with the cancer privately for several years. He was speaker for 12 years, the second longest run in the position in state history Lujan indicates he will be around for th...
Joe Monahan - Jan 17
It's Martin Luther King Day and just about everything is shut down in observance of the holiday, but it's a working day for many of New Mexico's 112 legislators. They are scurrying to make final arrangements for the 30 day legislative session that kicks off tomorrow at the storied Roundhouse in Santa Fe. (New Mexican preview here , ABQ Journal preview (subscription) here and the AP pre...
Joe Monahan - Jan 16
Let's start our clippings session with this one sent in from Santa Fe: A wall-leaner comments on our views on the Guv's proposal to nix the state gross receipts tax for small businesses that pay less than $200 month in tax: You are absolutely correct. The state's gross receipts tax (GRT) is a major impediment to business growth. However, the issue is much bigger. Local retail business cannot co...
Joe Monahan - Jan 12
As the 30 day session of the New Mexico Legislature prepares to kick off Tuesday its time for another installment of "If We Ruled The World." Or in this case, what we would have the 112 solons (and one Guv) do when they saddle up in Santa Fe. --Job one is a monster capital outlay bill. News that our construction industry ranks dead last in the USA should rally lawmakers to start pouring the...
Joe Monahan - Jan 12
You will remember when Lowe's Home Centers pulled ads from a show about American Muslims at the request of some christian wacko group in Florida. At the same time Bernalillo County Commissioners were getting ready to give tax incentives to Lowe's for locating a call center here. I sent an email to Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins to see what she was thinking on the discriminatory act....
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 11
Still no official word on whether powerful NM House Speaker Ben Lujan will run for another two year term this year. But no matter what, Carl Trujillo, the Los Alamos Labs worker who almost ousted Ben in the Dem primary two years ago is back and running hard. The latest fund-raising pitch from his campaign: This time, we've got six months of campaigning time, and we're confident that ...
Joe Monahan - Jan 11
Here's the first public photo of former NM GOP Governor Dave Cargo ('66-70) who was felled by a stroke he suffered in late September. Former ABQ GOP State Rep. and congressional candidate Janice Arnold-Jones visited Cargo over the weekend at the ABQ rehabilitation facility where he is recovering. She was among the first to be able to see Cargo since he was stricken: " We had a wonderful visit ...
Joe Monahan - Jan 10
I dreamed Governor Susana Martinez was on a broomstick flying above all the little people on Elephant Butte Dam. The Albuquerque Journal was at the Elephant Butte Dam Walk and so was I. Their thoroughly unsnarky and factual account begs......
Cocoposts - Jan 9
You mean it's not over yet? After three years of being in the economic ditch, the state has finally shown signs of at least stabilizing but now we're being warned that this epic downturn could catch a second wind : New Mexico’s economy lost those 53,000 jobs (in the recession), 20,000 of them in the construction industry and, according to forecasts and experts, won’t get them back until at...
Joe Monahan - Jan 9
First up, Happy 100th , New Mexico! There will be some fun to be had today when the clock ticks off the final seconds to mark our first century of statehood. From the city of ABQ: At 11:35 am on January 6, 2012, New Mexicans can do something to honor their state that’s never been done before; wish it a Happy Birthday by honking their horns for about 30 seconds. 11:35 am MST is t...
Joe Monahan - Jan 6
GOP Judges Alaniz, Hanisee & Winder The political year to come burst into view as we made the rounds at the Barelas Coffee House this week. You know it's going to be a bombastic 10 months until Election Day when even the Republicans are hanging out in the overwhelmingly Democratic ABQ South Valley. The trio of Republican judges pictured here looked like something on a politically endange...
Joe Monahan - Jan 5
Wilson Vs. Sanchez For her entire political career former ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson has sported the label "moderate" but in today's Republican Party that can be deadly. So as Heather battles Lt. Governor John Sanchez for the GOP US Senate nomination, she has dropped the "M word" and constantly describes herself as a conservative. The switch is not going unnoticed among the...
Joe Monahan - Jan 4
Welcome back. We pick up with this first blog of 2012 where we left off in 2011. Will Governor Martinez finally sway the Legislature and win a repeal of the controversial law that allows undocumented immigrants to have driver's licenses? Will Jon Barela, 2010 GOP nominee for the ABQ US House seat, dive into the 2012 contest? Will New Mexico rid itself of this jobless economic recovery? On the ...
Joe Monahan - Jan 3
