Full text of Martinez’s speech
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Here’s the full text of Gov. Susana Martinez’s state of the state address, as prepared for delivery. Continue Reading
GOP division hurts Cervantes’ chances
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Faced with pressure from tea party groups, a number of Republican House members have decided they aren’t willing to support a coalition to make Rep. Joseph Cervantes the speaker of the House. Continue Reading
Watch state of the state address here
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You can watch Gov. Susana Martinez’s state of the state address right here, courtesy of KNME-TV in Albuquerque. Click on the headline to watch. Continue Reading
Legislature opens today with speaker vote
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The 2011 N.M. Legislature opens sometime after noon today, with the biggest question being who will be elected speaker of the House. Continue Reading
Investments in community services are necessary
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In a recent piece, Paul Gessing gets it wrong when he states that New Mexico public services can continue to be slashed. Where Mr. Gessing, where? Continue Reading
Speaker race could impact congressional districts
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The battle over who is going to be speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives could have a significant impact on the redrawing of the state’s congressional districts later this year. Continue Reading
Cote is trying to get back to Santa Fe
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Just over two months after losing his House seat in the November election, former state Rep. Nate Cote is trying to make his way back into the Legislature. Continue Reading
Auditor again faces potentially deep cuts
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Already hit by an 18.9 percent budget cut over the last two fiscal years, the Office of the State Auditor is facing an additional cut in the coming budget year of at least 7 percent – if the governor and Legislative Finance Committee get their way. Continue Reading
Redistricting battle is coming later this year
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The battle over redrawing New Mexico’s political districts is coming later this year, and the Santa Fe Reporter is out with a comprehensive article examining the issue. Continue Reading
Dancing with the lemons
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Last week I suggested that Governor Martinez give consideration to grabbing the third rail of political issues such as cuts in Medicaid to help balance the FY2012 state budget. Well, here’s another third rail issue to grab on to: cuts in education. Continue Reading
Eliminating tax credits and deductions won’t solve budget problem
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The reality is that all of the “easy” cuts and “revenue enhancements (tax hikes)” have been done. Real spending cuts are both possible and necessary to secure New Mexico’s economic future. Continue Reading
Inauguration night was a ball
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While photographing Susana Martinez during her campaign, I was invited into the small circle of believers who thought she would win. At her inauguration celebration, I realized that circle was now enormous and I was on the outside looking in. But I was looking in with very good memories from before Nov. 2. Continue Reading
Time for comprehensive campaign and ethics reform
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To make good on her promise to bring “bold change” and challenge the status quo, Gov. Susana Martinez should champion a stronger set of ethics proposals that have been languishing in the Legislature. Continue Reading
Cervantes is seeking votes to become speaker
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State Rep. Joseph Cervantes is trying to form a bipartisan coalition to become speaker and has committed to Republicans that he’s on board if they are, three Democrats who support Cervantes say. Continue Reading
Good for gays, necessary for New Mexicans
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New Mexico needs jobs, and all of us – gay or straight – could use an economic revival in our lives. That is why this week’s opinion from Attorney General Gary King stating that New Mexico should recognize all out-of-state marriages – included same-sex marriages – was such good news. Continue Reading