NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/issues/)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish supports requiring minimum qualifications for service on the Public Regulation Commission and wants to consider other reforms to the PRC and Secretary of State’s Office. Republican Susana Martinez says problems in the SOS office point to New Mexico’s need for a new secretary of state, but she does support reforms to the elections process and commissions such as the PRC. Continue Reading
Both candidates for governor say they would pick university regents based on qualifications and experience rather than politics, but neither is explicitly promising that she won’t try to exert direct control over regents by attempting to remove those who don’t vote her way on issues. Continue Reading
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish wants a new constitutional convention to consider revising the N.M. Constitution. Her GOP opponent, Susana Martinez, agrees with the sentiment behind creating a commission to tackle government inefficiency but says there’s a better way to combat corruption. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez supports the creation of an independent redistricting commission to take the politics out of redrawing the state’s political boundaries, while Democrat Diane Denish is open to considering the creation of an independent committee that would advise lawmakers and the governor. Continue Reading
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish says scandal that has plagued the New Mexico Land Office demonstrates the need for an ethics commission, while Republican Susana Martinez says she would push increased transparency to address issues like those that have dogged the land office. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez says the state has already spent lots of money on Spaceport America and can no longer be its “major financer,” while Democratic opponent Diane Denish says she is a supporter of the spaceport but didn’t directly answer a question about the project’s funding.
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish supports a domestic partner benefits law, while her Republican opponent, Susana Martinez, does not. Continue Reading
The state is halfway through its 10-year experiment with the Behavioral Health Collaborative, which aims to deliver mental health and substance abuse services more effectively and efficiently. Both gubernatorial candidates say it’s time to consider some changes. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez opposes public financing of elections, while Democratic opponent Diane Denish wants to give campaign contribution limits a try before she considers expanding public financing. Continue Reading
Both gubernatorial candidates are clarifying their statements published by NMPolitics.net earlier today on what to do about the millions of undocumented immigrants already in the United States illegally. Continue Reading
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish doesn’t know what should be done about the millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States illegally. Republican Susana Martinez says they should have a path to legalization, but they shouldn’t be allowed to cut in front of those already in the legal line. Continue Reading
Both gubernatorial candidates have said they would end the state’s policy that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, but neither was willing to tell the New Mexico Independent how they would deal with the fallout of doing that. Continue Reading
New Mexico is one of nine states that doesn’t produce a regular report that tracks how much the state gives up each year to tax credits, exemptions and deductions. Both candidates for governor want to change that. Continue Reading
No matter who is elected governor in November, expect the number of exempt or “political” appointees working in state government to drop significantly. Both candidates also plan other steps to reduce the state payroll. Continue Reading
Taking a position on “double dipping” for the first time, Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez says a 2003 law that allowed all retired public employees to return to work and collect a paycheck and pension at the same time went too far – but so does a new law that eliminates incentives for public safety workers to return to work after retiring. Continue Reading