New Mexico
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9:22 a.m.
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The New Mexico Corrections Department has not fined two private prison operators for years despite repeated contract violations, costing the state potentially millions of dollars in uncollected penalties, state officials have told The Independent. That has put New Mexico Corrections Secretary Joe Williams on a collision course with state lawmakers. Some legislators say the issue of uncollected pen...
New Mexico Independent - 8:49 a.m.
The first radio ad from the Harry Teague (NM-02) campaign is set to begin airing tomorrow. Entitled, "Why Would Pearce Do That?," the ad raises questions about the voting record of Teague's opponent, Congressman Steve Pearce, on veterans issues. It's......
Democracy for New Mexico - 8:49 a.m.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) is building a grass roots organization and is looking for bi-lingual folks to canvass Albuquerque neighborhoods in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional district to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Qualifications: Physical......
Democracy for New Mexico - 8:07 a.m.
U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today issued a statement reporting that the U.S. Department of Education has released $64.9 million to help close New Mexico’s budget gap, and keep approximately 1,000 teachers in classrooms around the state. “Nothing......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 5:01 p.m. - 2 clicks 
The flow of unauthorized immigration slowed by nearly two-thirds between 2007 and 2009, according a new report from the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. The slowdown is the first significant dip in immigration over the past 20 years. The report, released Wednesday, also showed that the number of unauthorized immigrants in the [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 4:29 p.m. - 5 clicks
A major national poll revealed on Monday that right now, Republicans have a major national advantage over Democrats. According to the Gallup “generic ballot” poll asks respondents if they would rather vote for an unnamed Democrat or Republican for Congress. The latest results, released Monday, showed that Republicans lead by 51 to 41 percent. That [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 4:08 p.m. - 6 clicks
Heath Haussamen has an excellent rundown on the Baby Brianna brouhaha today. (Spoiler: He says Sen. Garcia is full of it.) Democrats will be listed first and Republicans second on the Nov. 2 ballot after positions were determined by a drawing, the AP reports. Gov. Richardson announced today that an 82 more National Guard soldiers have been [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 1:46 p.m. - 4 clicks
Gov. Richardson announced today that he will allocate $1.4 million in federal stimulus money to prevent furloughs in some courts and state agencies in the executive branch. About a third of the money, $450,000, will go to prevent layoffs and furloughs at Magistrate Courts; District Courts Bernalillo County, Curry County and San Juan County; and Metro Court [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 1:46 p.m. - 3 clicks
On Monday, clueless Steve Pearce (Trying To Fool Voters Again, NM-02) posted an article on his website highlighting the development of the algae-based biofuels industry -- in Argentina. While Pearce is busy promoting green energy in Argentina, there is a......
Democracy for New Mexico - Wed 1:45 p.m. - 2 clicks
American Cement officials and the Greater Gardner Neighborhood Association met Tuesday night to create a community advisory panel (CAP) to foster communication between the company and neighbors of its cement transfer facility in Albuquerque's North Valley. The group is to be the first of three in New Mexico and at least five nationwide, company officials said. Some residents expressed optimism tha...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 12:45 p.m. - 3 clicks
The Fruit Basket Market is a mile away and I can already smell the green chile roasting. That triggers a pavlovian response in me to defrost the freezer. I do it religiously around September 1st. I take out food and wrap it towels and then put a hefty fan in front of it to blast it clear of a year's worth of frost. Then this weekend we freeze two bags of green ch...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Wed 11:44 a.m. - 4 clicks
A Chimayó man who admitted to threatening a state court judge would have faced felony charges, and more time behind bars if convicted, had the Legislature passed legislation earlier this year raising the punishment for such threats, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. Instead, Steven Anthony Martinez, who admitted late Monday to making a pair of threatening [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 8:40 a.m. - 4 clicks
First posted here three years ago today. Driving along Tramway across Sandia Pueblo last evening, I was reminded of one of the best things about living in Albuquerque. I began to think, NewMexiKen you can live anywhere, why do you stay here? There are a lot of ways to answer a question like that. One [...]...
NewMexiKen - Wed 8:23 a.m. - 6 clicks
“[S]ix of the eight pitches Chapman threw were fastballs. Of those six heaters, two registered at 103 mph as well as one each at 101, 100, 99 and 98.” MLB FanHouse reporting on Cincinnati left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman’s Major League debut. Chapman had been clocked at 105 in AAA....
NewMexiKen - Wed 8:23 a.m. - 5 clicks
Renters at 23 apartment complexes in Albuquerque must sign agreements by today to not grow or use medical marijuana where they live or face eviction according to a memo from the manager of the complexes, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. Monarch Properties Inc., the management company, is pushing the agreements because many of the complexes it [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 7:48 a.m. - 4 clicks
The Albuquerquer-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority will add more sensitive lab tests for toxic fuel additive to its suite of water quailty tests for southeast city wells near Kirtland Air Force Base, authority and U.S. Air Force official have announced. EDB is toxic to the brain, skin, kidneys, lungs and liver, and in extreme cases involving [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Wed 7:28 a.m. - 4 clicks
The Albuquerque Journal had an intriguing story on the fact that CNM in Albuquerque is having to turn away students. CNM currently has an enrollment of around 30,000 students. The population of a small city. Now that is an issue that candidates should be talking about. Think about it for a moment. During the worst economic downturn since the 1930's Americans are flo...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Wed 6:49 a.m. - 5 clicks
Let's kick it off today with the outlook for the state House in Campaign '10. Currently there are 45 Dems and 25 R's in the 70 member House. Based on reports from Alligators, Insiders, Wall-Leaners, Wanna-Be's and other political creatures, it appears the R's could shrink that margin this year, if only a bit. The no-brainer prediction this cycle is the ABQ mid-NE Heights seat of freshman Dem R...
Joe Monahan - Wed 12:43 a.m. - 6 clicks
Republican candidate for governor Susana Martinez today released a set of principles she said would restore fiscal responsibility to the state budget. It’s a sort of best-practices list that includes many standard Republican ideals, including limited government, low taxes and a business-friendly environment, but not too many specifics. The whole thing is pasted below. Here’s the [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Tue 3:47 p.m. - 6 clicks
From Stephanie Richard for State Representative, District 43: Please Join Albuquerque Democratic Leaders Senators Cisco McSorley, Tim Keller, Dede Feldman, Eric Griego, Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Representatives Mimi Stewart and Gail Chasey and Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chair Ana......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 3:47 p.m. - 9 clicks
Watch larger version The Denish for Governor campaign today unveiled “Communities,” a new 30-second TV ad (above) that it says "sets the record straight about Diane Denish’s commitment to New Mexico’s small communities and highlights Susana Martinez’s plans to take......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 2:29 p.m. - 6 clicks
Bill McCamley, Ben Hall Why doesn't Ben Hall, the GOP candidate for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) in District 5, want to publicly debate the issues with Bill McCamley, the Democratic candidate for the job? What is he......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 11:05 a.m. - 4 clicks
Note: Judge Robert E. Robles will join Rep. Martin Heinrich as a guest speaker at tonight's DFA-DFNM Meetup. All are welcome to attend. On August 25, 2010, the Pueblo of Pojoaque issued a release endorsing Judge Robles saying, “The Pueblo......
Democracy for New Mexico - Tue 9:48 a.m. - 6 clicks
We've heard the numbers on the congressional and Guv races, but what about the down ballot contests like attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer, and land commissioner? Well, the ABQ Journal usually doesn't poll that deep but this cylce they have come with an attorney general survey . It shows Attorney General Gary King with a comfortable lead over Clovis area District Atto...
Joe Monahan - Tue 12:02 a.m. - 8 clicks
From Stephanie Richard for State Representative: From the School-House to the Round-House, Let’s Get a Strong, Pro-Choice Woman to Santa Fe! Please Join Diane Wood, Liz Stefanics, Linda Siegle, Charlotte Roybal, Ocean Munds-Dry, Edie Nunez, Anne Watkins, Viki Elkey, Kathy......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 5:42 p.m. - 9 clicks
The new bicycle bridge across the Rio Grande was dedicated today in the name of Gail Ryba. She was absolutely one of the nicest people I have ever known. I met her shortly after becoming Mayor of Albuquerque in 1997. She was on a mission to beef up our bike trail system in Albuquerque and she never let up. I had so much respect for her and her ability to stay patient, wo...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Mon 2:27 p.m. - 8 clicks
PLEASE JOIN Democrat State Party Chairman Javier Gonzales Santa Fe County Chairman Richard Ellenberg Mark & Shana Baker; Michael Campbell; Steve Flance; David P. Garcia; Kurt Gilbert; Nancy Long; Elicia Montoya; Dan Najjar; Pete D. White & Geno Zamora FOR......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 12:20 p.m. - 8 clicks
I am always amazed by politics, even after having been in it for so long. The one constant in this game in America is that while people usually hate the U.S. Congress, they almost always vote to reelect their representatives. So, it was good news for me as a Democrat that Congressmen Harry Teague and Martin Heinrich are leading in the Journal poll. Congressman Lujan from the Nort...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Mon 7:28 a.m. - 21 clicks
Rep. Heinrich After a summer of uncertainty the first re-election bid of ABQ Dem Congressman Martin Heinrich appears to be back on track. The freshman lawmaker has a six point lead--47% to 41%--over Republican rival Jon Barela in the first ABQ Journal poll and that's a welcome relief to Heinrich and state Dems. Both were freaked out by a SurveyUSA poll July 26 that showed Barela leading t...
Joe Monahan - Mon 12:27 a.m. - 7 clicks
Diane Denish has to call the Democratic party home or else she's going home--for good. That's the message in the first ABQ Journal poll of the 2010 gubernatorial contest. It shows Democrat Denish trailing Republican Susana Martinez 45% to 39% with 16% undecided. It was the third major poll this month in this political poker game and Martinez has now laid down aces in all three. Pollster ...
Joe Monahan - Sun 12:07 a.m. - 12 clicks
Two polls down and one to go. Rasmussen released a New Mexico Guv survey Thursday that showed Dem Diane Denish trailing Republican Susana Martinez by five points--48% to 43%. Three percent name others and six percent are undecided. The poll, taken Wednesday, comes on the heels of the news here of an insider candidate poll from mid-August that had Di trailing by a dozen points and days before ...
Joe Monahan - Thu 11:49 p.m. - 12 clicks
Everyone is coming on with different and conflicting polls in the New Mexico Governor's race. They only one I will look at with confidence is the Albuquerque Journal Poll from Research and Polling Inc. Brian Sanderoff's track record there is impressive to say the least and I don't think his poll has ever missed calling a Governor's race. But this is a pretty weird year with peopl...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Aug 26 - 13 clicks
Rasmussen poll released Thursday afternoon has Susana Martinez with a five point lead over Diane Denish. Martinez polls 48% to Denish's 43%. The full poll is here . The survey among likely voters was conducted Wednesday, Aug. 24 Denish & Colon Democratic emotions erupted in the wake of the news passed along here Wednesday that our reliable sources tell us that Republican Susana Mar...
Joe Monahan - Aug 26 - 15 clicks
GOP Guv hopeful Susana Martinez had a 12 point lead over Dem nominee Diane Denish in a mid-August automatic phone poll conducted for one of the statewide campaigns for another elected office, according to reliable Alligators. But Susana was below 50%, the point where a candidate starts to put a race away. Martinez has consolidated the Republican vote and added to it a pile of independents. The...
Joe Monahan - Aug 25 - 4 clicks
As everyone holds their breath for the Sunday Albuquerque Journal Poll on the Governor and Congressional races I am left wondering what, if anything, is going on in the other statewide races. I have a feeling that the reason we are not hearing much about them, from the Attorney General contest, Land Office race and others is because they are not raising any serious money and so they can't ge...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Aug 24 - 8 clicks
Democrats are bracing for a weekend ABQ Journal poll that many of them think will show Republican Susana Martinez leading Diane Denish by three to six points. But the late August poll being done this week and to be published Sunday is only the beginning. And now there is a new Democratic narrative popping up on the radar screens of La Politica--that Martinez and the R's will get their peak perf...
Joe Monahan - Aug 24 - 2 clicks
Rep. Teague Usually if they don't like you they just vote against you. But it has gone way beyond that for southern Dem Congressman Harry Teague . He confirms the rumors that his Hobbs-based energy businesses are being boycotted by fellow oil and gas types upset with his vote for cap and trade legislation. The boycott has been one of the major reasons Teague's personal wealth has plunged a...
Joe Monahan - Aug 22 - 3 clicks
The first debate Susana Martinez got the indictment but not the conviction in the first gubernatorial debate of Campaign 2010. She threw enough red meat at Diane Denish to fill the freezers at Albertson's, but in the end Denish stole the lead and may have made more inroads than Martinez with the relatively small pool of undecided voters. Each candidate did comply with the First Commandment of...
Joe Monahan - Aug 20 - 2 clicks
GOP candidates Steve Pearce and Susanna Martinez say they don't think human caused emissions can cause climate change. These are far right wing political candidates. They know better than scientists you know. They love the oil and gas industry you know. They are funded by the oil and gas industry you know. They scare the hell out of me you know. The first joint appea...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Aug 18 - 2 clicks
Sixty people died in drug violence this weekend in Juarez, Mexico. Just 250 miles from where I sit in Albuquerque's north valley. It is unbelievable this kind of slaughter is the result of Americans wanting to dose themselves into euphoria on any number of drugs. We are one of the main causes of this warfare because we can't see any sense in the decriminalization of drugs in...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Aug 17
