Blue Cross takes rate hike fight to NM Supreme Court

From the New Mexico Independent - By Bryant Furlow - Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico Friday petitioned the state Supreme Court to block acting insurance superintendent Johnny Montoya’s suspension of a controversial 21 percent health insurance rate hike. “This case is about fundamental fairness and adherence to the law,” Blue Cross Blue Shield attorneys wrote in the petition, which described Montoya’s suspension as “unlawful and unconstitutional.” The company is represented by the Sutin, Thayer and Browne law firm of Albuquerque. The Independent received no response to a request for comment from Montoya Monday. Montoya’s suspension of the rate hike approval was “right and necessary,” according to Public Regulation Commission (PRC) commissioner Jason Marks. An expert hired by the state Attorney General’s office had concluded the rate hike was unjustified and the company had “inflated” its losses. But just a day before a scheduled public hearing on the proposed rate hike, a weekend deal was stuck between the Attorney General’s office, Blue Cross Blue Shield attorneys, and Insurance Division staffers, leading former insurance superintendent Morris “Mo” Chavez to approve a 21.3 percent rate hike. Marks had denounced that weekend settlement at the time as “a back room deal.” Read more
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Federal Law Enforcement: Martinez Ad True

More great investigative journalism by NMPolitics.net. Looking into allegations by the Diane Denish campaign that Dona Ana Country District Attorney and GOP candidate for governor Susana Martinez has exaggerated her prosecution record, Heath Haussamen spoke with Ernesto Ortiz who is director of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Traffic Area (HIDTA). According to Ortiz, Martinez has in fact taken on members of the most violent Mexican drug cartels.” Read the entire story at NMPolitics.net by clicking here:
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Supreme Court extends gun rights to states

From the Washington Times - The Supreme Court on Monday said the Second Amendment gives all Americans a right to keep and bear arms for self-defense that can't be infringed by state and local laws. In a 5-4 decision, the court rejected arguments that overturning Chicago's near-30-year-old handgun ban would have grave implications for cities and states attempting to control crime, with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. noting that gun ownership is "not the only constitutional right that has controversial public safety implications." "The right to keep and bear arms must be regarded as a substantive guarantee, not a prohibition that could be ignored so long as the states legislated in an evenhanded manner," Justice Alito wrote for the majority. The majority did signal that some gun restrictions could pass constitutional muster. The ruling considering Chicago's ban was similar to the court's decision in the 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized the right of D.C. residents to register handguns and keep them in their homes for their protection. Read more
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Media Takes a Look at Tunnel

With calls for comprehensive immigration reform coming out of Washington along with threat of Arizona lawsuits, the basic task of securing the border remains undone. A recently discovered tunnel going underneath the Rio Grande from Juarez to El Paso illustrates the large number of pathways for people to enter the U.S. illegally. Members of the media were given the opportunity to take pictures of the tunnel yesterday. See the pictures and read the story here:
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Thomas Sowell - Gun Control

On the most recent gun control law case to make it to the Supreme Court, the final vote was 5-4. This means a fundamental constitutional right, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, was affirmed by a whopping majority of "one." Columnist Thomas Sowell has some very specific views on yesterday's ruling from the Supreme Court on gun control. Read his ideas here:
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New Mexico Spaceport Coverage

The Denver Post had an interesting story on the New Mexico Spaceport over the weekend. Governor Richardson is quoted as saying the project would have trouble getting funding now. See the pictures and read the story here:
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Jimenez Wins 14th

Everything was beautiful until the 6th inning, then Ubaldo Jimenez stumbled. He still was the winning pitcher for the Colorado Rockies last night in San Diego notching his MLB leading 14th victory. Things weren't as easy on the other side of the country. In Atlanta, rookie pitching phenom Stephen Straburg was brilliant against the Braves, but his teammates played shoddy defense behind him and failed to provide run support. Strasburg took his second loss of the season to fall to 2-2. Read details of the Jimenz win here:
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