NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/page/376/)
Gov. Bill Richardson’s action on the budget drew mixed reviews from lawmakers on Thursday. One of the more notable quotes came from Sen. John Arthur Smith, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who has warned for years that hard times were coming. Continue Reading
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales named Scott Forrester as the party’s next executive director earlier today. Continue Reading
Several journalists talked with Sen. John Arthur Smith, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today after the governor announced the action he’s taking to address the budget crisis. Listen to Smith’s remarks here. Continue Reading
Education Secretary Veronica Garcia says students “probably won’t notice a discernable difference” in their classrooms as a result of the approximately 1 percent cuts to education the governor signed into law today. Continue Reading
NMPolitics.net’s Peter St. Cyr was in Santa Fe today for Gov. Bill Richardson’s news conference about addressing the state’s budget crisis. After the news conference, St. Cyr caught up with Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Katherine Miller. Here’s what she had to say. Continue Reading
UPDATED: Gov. Bill Richardson today smacked down an attempt by lawmakers to force 7.6-percent cuts on state agencies under his control, but announced his own plans to cut at least 84 political appointee jobs, order employees under his control to take five furlough days and trim agency budgets under his control by an average of 7 percent. Continue Reading
Gov. Bill Richardson’s proposal to put an end to double-dipping by government employees in New Mexico — but exempt those who are currently doing it – is “inadequate,” says state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Continue Reading
Former Gov. Gary Johnson is still speaking out about decriminalizing and legalizing drugs in the United States. Click on the headline to listen to a speech he gave Tuesday at the University of New Mexico and watch an exclusive interview with him. Continue Reading
The story of D.C. sniper John Allen Muhammad’s ex-wife Mildred Muhammad – a woman the system completely failed — shows the importance of community and self-reliance. Continue Reading
A finalist for the job of president of New Mexico State University – one who had received attention because of a scandal at the institution where he currently works – has withdrawn his name from consideration for the school’s top job. Continue Reading
New Mexico Secretary of Veterans Services John Garcia says he doesn’t want across-the-board budget cuts to state agencies “laid on the back of my veterans.” Continue Reading
UPDATED: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish’s campaign will reimburse the state for three political news releases and other political work paid for with public money in 2004. No comment yet from Gov. Bill Richardson, whose office also put out a political news release in 2004. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez today announced the endorsements of three elected officials from Otero County. Continue Reading
The characterization of combined reporting being spread by proponents – that it will eliminate a loophole that permits large, multi-state corporations to shift income earned in New Mexico to other, more tax-friendly states — omits the principal features of combined reporting, misstates the tax liability of local companies and exaggerates the likely state revenue impact of combined reporting. Continue Reading
On the same day that U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., talked with medical professionals about Saturday’s House vote in favor of health insurance reform, his likely Republican opponent, Jon Barela, criticized the measure and offered his own solutions. Continue Reading