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“Few here are willing to discuss, much less confront, the fact that we now have recurring expenditures which are exceeding recurring revenues by about $1 billion,” says state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. Continue Reading
I neglected to write about this last week, but here’s a bit of good news for New Mexico in the midst of all the not-so-good news. New Mexico is now officially not one of the 10 states with the highest rates of drunken driving fatalities, Gov. Bill Richardson announced Friday. Continue Reading
There’s disagreement about how many exempt employees the governor has, but there appears to be some level of agreement – at least in the Senate – that the number should be cut to help plug the state’s budget shortfall. Continue Reading
Some activists who support Las Cruces City Councilor Sharon Thomas’ re-election bid have labeled her opponent, Jim Harbison, a right-wing extremist because he has been involved in a political Web site on which some have advocated for violence. But even Thomas says Harbison is no extremist. Continue Reading
I would suggest that instead of concentrating on cutting salaries, which are critical to bringing and retaining quality educators into the state, we should look at programs and unfunded mandates first. Continue Reading
Sens. Cisco McSorely and Tim Keller and Rep. Mimi Stewart, all Albuquerque Democrats, say it’s time to raise taxes to curb the state’s widening budget shortfall. And all three are trying to prevent cuts to education in the current special session. Continue Reading
The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Congress should approve a bill that would protect more than 350,000 acres of land in Doña Ana County, including the Organ Mountains. Continue Reading
While legislators met in special session at the state’s capitol on Saturday afternoon, State Treasurer James B. Lewis was in Albuquerque announcing his re-election bid for a second consecutive term and third overall. Continue Reading
Some senators want to consider revenue-raising measures; others think salary cuts may be necessary. The governor says he won’t allow either. Will senators come together to reject the limitations the governor has placed on the session? Continue Reading
Being a legislator in this state, during this crisis, is pretty darn thankless. Be true to yourself and the people who elected you to represent them, and I would respectfully submit that your choices, while still incredibly difficult, will at least be a bit more palatable — to voters and to yourself. Continue Reading
The state Democratic Party is accusing Republican Steve Pearce of “happily” accepting pay raises as a congressman. Pearce’s campaign counters that he always voted against pay hikes, but they were approved by his colleagues anyway. Continue Reading
The special session of the Legislature that convenes Saturday will be webcast, John Yaeger, assistant director for Legislative Council Services, confirmed. Continue Reading
After Tuesday’s finance reports, Diane Denish is still a giant. Heather Wilson’s indecision on whether to run for governor has sidelined some money but not enough to sink others’ chances. The four Republicans who have declared for governor are still in the hunt. Continue Reading
There are great opportunities disguised as impossible situations facing the New Mexico Legislature in their budget shortfall special session. The same Legislature and governor who did not listen to good advice about the transitory nature of the state’s revenue are meeting to fix the financial problems of their own making. Continue Reading
Two health-insurance reform measures continue to move forward in the nation’s capitol this week without a public option, but both U.S. senators from New Mexico are pledging to keep the public option alive. Continue Reading