Garcia Calls for New House Speaker

Rep. Mary Helen Garcia
    Long time New Mexico House of Representatives member Mary Helen Garcia of Dona Ana County called for a change in the "speaker position" on News New Mexico a week ago during her guest appearance on the show. Of course she was referring to the Speaker of the House in New Mexico, Ben Lujan.
    In the days and weeks ahead we will report on the reactions of lawmakers around the state including any comments from Speaker Lujan. Garcia indicated during the interview, which can be heard in its entirety by clicking the KSNM logo on this website, that there are many other members in the house who share her view that it is time for a change.
House Speaker Ben Lujan
Lujan, (D- Santa Fe) struggled to win versus a Democratic opponent in the June primary election. His margin of victory was just 71 votes. Lujan has been in hot water with members of his own party since 2006 when he quietly slipped a $75 million capital outlay provision into the budget without letting many of his own party members know what he did. Since that incident Lujan has been plagued by accusations of impropriety and double-dealing. Rumors circulated in Santa Fe earlier this year of attempts by fellow Democrats to remove Lujan in favor of Dona Ana County house member Joseph Cervantes. Lujan has already survived an open challenge which came from Ken Martinez not long after the $75 million back room deal.
Share/Bookmark

0 comments:

Post a Comment