Not the textbook way to pump gas in either lane




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Eric Holder Scolds Daily Caller Reporter

A.G. Eric Holder
From dailycaller.com -Embattled Attorney General Eric Holder today demanded The Daily Caller stop publishing articles about the growing calls in Congress for his resignation because of the failed Operation Fast and Furious gun-walking program.  As Holder’s aide was escorting the attorney general offstage following his remarks Tuesday afternoon at the White House, a Daily Caller reporter introduced himself and shook Holder’s hand. The reporter asked him for a response to the growing chorus of federal legislators demanding his resignation. Holder stepped towards the exit, then turned around, stepped back toward the reporter, and sternly said, “You guys need to — you need to stop this. It’s not an organic thing that’s just happening. You guys are behind it.”  More News New Mexico
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Governor Takes Axe to Legacy of Cellphone Waste

Susana Martinez
SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez announced today that her administration has significantly reduced cell phone, BlackBerry, and air card use, resulting in over $320,000 in projected savings over calendar year 2011. The administration has reduced the number of wireless devices in agencies and departments throughout state government by a net total of 500 from December 2010 to September 2011. These administration-wide reductions, along with a more efficient approach to pooling wireless plans, are projected to total $320,412 in savings by the end of 2011.  “This is a simple and common-sense way to save hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars without affecting the necessary functions of state government,” said Governor Martinez. “Not every state employee requires a cell phone to fulfill the duties of his or her job. Reducing cell phone expenses is part of an ongoing effort to cut unnecessary expenses in New Mexico’s budget and make government more efficient.”
Savings include a net reduction of 59 devices in the Children, Youth, and Families Department, 52 devices in the Department of Transportation, 116 devices in the Human Services Department, 54 devices in the Corrections Department, 28 devices in the Regulation and Licensing Department, and 15 devices at the Higher Education Department.
“We have worked closely with Governor Martinez to identify unnecessary costs and ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” added Darryl Ackley, Secretary of the Department of Information Technology. “These simple and practical cost-saving measures will trim over $300,000 from the state’s budget.” The announcement of reduced cell phone use comes one week after the Martinez administration announced over $800,000 in savings due to lease re-negotiation and consolidation of state government office facilities. The number of state government vehicles has also been significantly reduced, with the state cutting its fleet by 253 since January, including a 56% reduction in take-home vehicles at the Department of Transportation. The moratorium that Governor Martinez placed on new vehicle purchases, with the exception of law enforcement vehicles, remains in place.


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LULAC Tries to Draw Congressional Boundaries

Susana Martinez
Fox News Latino - Gov. Susana Martínez and other GOP state officials are opposing a Hispanic civil rights group's attempt to participate in a trial over congressional redistricting in New Mexico. The New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, has asked a state district court to approve a plan that would create a Hispanic majority congressional district in southern New Mexico.
Joseph Cervantes
The redistricting plan was advocated by Democratic Rep. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces during a special legislative session in September. Lawyers for the governor, Lt. Gov. John Sánchez and Secretary of State Dianna Durán oppose LULAC's motion to intervene in the case. They contend LULAC missed court-established deadlines to become a party in the case and for submitting redistricting plans. A trial on congressional redistricting starts Monday. Read full story here: News New Mexico

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Sowards: Answering America’s Iranian Challenge

Greg Sowards
An Op-Ed by Greg Sowards, U.S. Senate Candidate - As a candidate running for the U.S. Senate, it is my job to be well-versed in both domestic and foreign policy. When it comes to America’s Iranian challenge, it is necessary to make an argument on behalf of the American people that bluntly assesses the world as it is. As tough talk mounts between Israel and Iran over the nuclear question, what is apparent is a lack of leadership. For far too long, the global terrorist organization known as Hezbollah has been allowed to operate with impunity. Past statements by the leadership of Hezbollah are problematic. The leaders of the terror group have claimed that if Israel strikes Iranian nuclear sites, within one minute 11,000 rockets will rain down on Israel from southern Lebanon. In reply, Israel’s leaders declared that in the event of a full-fledged missile strike originating from Hezbollah, Israel will respond in kind and treat the whole of Lebanon as a hostile power.
In this frame, it is apparent that a jihadist arm of Iran, acting as a state within a state, has declared its willingness to bring Lebanon into a war that does not represent the national interests of the Lebanese people. Hezbollah now has well over 45,000 rockets in its arsenal. Those rockets are primarily short-range, unguided katyusha-grade weapons; but, as we saw in the 2006 July War, longer-range guided rockets like the Chinese silkworm missile have been smuggled into southern Lebanon. The use of human shields is a key element of Hezbollah’s antisemitic propaganda strategy. The terror group has built a bunker network of tunnels, weapon stores and firing positions beneath highly populated southern Lebanese towns and have already proven willing to fire rockets from these civilian areas, knowing full-well Israel will strike the source of the attack out of self-defense.
Perhaps the most disturbing reality of all is that Hezbollah, which claimed it would never turn its guns inward on the people of Lebanon, weakened the state’s leadership by backing an 18-month worker’s union strike and then mounted a putsch and took control of western Beirut. Why? Because the Lebanese authorities sought to strip Hezbollah of its airport security detail and to dismantle its secret telecommunications network. Hezbollah’s links to Iran and capacity to smuggle weapons into Lebanon were threatened, so the interests of the people of Lebanon became secondary to the ability of Hezbollah’s leaders to serve their masters in Iran.
Hezbollah’s rockets are now holding the people and the future of Lebanon hostage to irrational Iranian designs.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
In June, Hezbollah’s chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stated that his group would destroy Tel Aviv if Israel struck Iran’s nuclear sites. When questioned about possible Israeli strikes, military leaders of Iran have shrugged off the need to respond with ballistic missiles, indicating that Hezbollah’s katyushas are now capable of reaching every Israeli town. In 2012, the American people should elect Senators who are prepared to restore our nation’s special relationship with Israel. In terms of securing regional peace in the Greater Middle East, America’s challenge is in determining the best way to help Israel defuse Hezbollah and to stop Iran from wielding the state of Lebanon as a geopolitical weapon. The Taif Accord, which was signed at the close of the Lebanese Civil War in 1989, gave the Hezbollah faction the right to retain its weapons of “resistance.” The legitimacy of the Taif Agreement should be challenged by world leaders the moment Hezbollah’s weapons are used on behalf of any country other than Lebanon. When elected as the next U.S. Senator from New Mexico, I will actively work to support Israel’s efforts to counter the Hezbollah menace.

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Kintigh: Time for Judicial Accountability Review

Dennis Kintigh
NMPolitics - It has been with tremendous sadness that I have followed the recent developments regarding certain members of the New Mexico state judiciary in various parts of the state. There have been incidents and allegations that have diminished and tarnished the reputation and standing of this branch of government. Generally, people understand and expect the Legislature to be a partisan and contentious institution. I don’t believe that is a bad thing. Policy concepts that cannot survive the crucible of vigorous debate are probably not valid or worthy of implementation. Sometimes it takes years for policy to be implemented. During that time, each of us in the Legislature will critically examine the concept, and without hesitation challenge those we feel are invalid. It keeps all of us “on our toes.” Similarly, the executive branch is constantly criticized and held accountable primarily, but not exclusively, by the opposition party. Again, this is as it should be. This cycle of confrontation and partisanship serves us well and is expected in these two branches.
The judiciary is somehow expected to be above all this, however, and therefore immune to this contentiousness associated with the failings and shortcomings of mortal man. Read full column here: News New Mexico
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"Writing on the Walls"


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More NM Parents Opting Out of Child Immunizations

From koat.com -New data reveals that there's been a 300 percent increase in the number of New Mexicans choosing not to immunize their children over the last 15 years. Officials with the New Mexico Department of Health said it's an alarming trend. The health department said people tend to opt out in clusters. In some New Mexico schools, the number of parents choosing not to get their children vaccinated is as high as 50 percent.  More News New Mexico
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Judge Rules in Favor of GOP in Redistricting Conversations

Brian Sanderoff
From capitolreportnewmexico.com -Judge Hall ruled late Tuesday in favor of the Republicans’ request, saying that the conversations and communication between Sanderoff and Democrats is not privileged information. From AP:A state district court judge is allowing lawyers for Gov. Susana Martinez and  other Republicans to obtain email, notes and other correspondence between lawmakers and a demographer hired by the Legislature to help with redistricting.… Hall ruled there was no privilege of confidentiality because the legislative leaders are using Sanderoff as an expert witness to testify in redistricting trials, which get under way next week. When Hall was announced as the redistricting judge, a number of Republicans told me they were happy because although Hall ran as Democrat when he served on the bench, he had a reputation for being very even-handed.  More News New Mexico
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The Latest White House "Dump"

From michellemalkin.com -Just like clockwork, the Obama administration never misses an opportunity to unload thousands of records it hopes no one will ever bother sifting through during the holidays. On Black Friday, the White House released more visitor log info — trumpeting disclosures it has fought tooth and nail.This August 5, 2011 visit to the president by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow and her party of 7. She made no mention of the visit on her Aug. 5 show. What did she and POTUS discuss? Just wondering…Fun fact: According to the White House logs, this was Maddow’s fifth trip to the White House — and fourth to see the president personally.  More News New Mexico
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Buh-Bye, Barney, A Video Tribute

Barney Frank
From biggovernment.com - Barney Frank announced yesterday that he would not be running for re-election in 2012.  His stated reason was that his district was gerrymandered, which is true.  But Frank was no longer safe in a  safe-district. Remember it took a last-minute infusion of DNCC money to save Barney Frank in 2010 and even then, his 54% of the vote was the lowest he had ever received since his first election in 1980. Frank is retiring because he is chicken, he almost lost last time, and doesn’t have the guts to try again.  More News New Mexico
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Convicted Felon Arrested by Border Patrol

From therepublic.com - A Mexican man who's a convicted felon has been arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents. He was recently released from prison and was reporting for the first time to his parole officer. During questioning, agents discovered Avalos had been arrested in 2010 by the New Mexico State Police for criminal sexual contact with a minor. Through a plea bargain, Avalos was convicted of and served time for two lesser felony charges. Avalos had been formally removed from the United States in 2004 but illegally re-entered the country in 2009.  More News New Mexico
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NMSU Thinking Beer and Wine Sales Again

New Mexico State University is once again contemplating the sales of beer and wine at athletic events in an effort to raise revenue for the university. Several years ago the university experimented with the idea at the Pan American Center for a couple of games. Reportedly then Governor Bill Richardson made it be known that he would be very displeased if the practice continued, so the plan, which was well-received by the fans was dropped. Ironically, the university broadcasts of Aggie games on television and radio have always included companies that sell beer and wine. Also, beer and wine can be purchased at the Fulton Center by the elite boosters during games. However, apparently these same services (and the potential for revenue streams) have not been offered to the "masses." Nobody seems sure if any adult beverages are consumed during tailgating before the games, but some reports, from seemingly reliable sources, suggest they are.

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Obamacare "Grant" Arrives in NM

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez announced today that New Mexico has been awarded a $34.2 million grant by the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to help establish an affordable health insurance exchange in the state. New Mexico submitted a Level 1 Health Insurance Exchange Establishment Grant on 9/29/2011 to begin establishing the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange (NMHIX). The state Human Services Department (HSD) was informed of the award of grant this morning. “States can advance the cause of patient freedom and choice, and take advantage of state and federal opportunities to improve health. We must modernize health insurance markets in New Mexico, built on the fundamental principles of real consumer choice, true market-based competition and value, and the grant is a big step in the right direction,” said Governor Martinez.
The grant funding will be used to establish the NMHIX over the next 12 months and to meet the timelines established by the federal government to become operational by 2014. The grant will help plan a governance structure, hire staff, and fund contractors. The state will also be able to research and prepare to plan to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, develop a multi-year operations plan, and determine funding mechanisms so NMHIX is self-sustaining by 2015. While this is ongoing, the Office of Health Care Reform will also work to identify, as necessary, state laws that need to be amended to comply with federal laws. NMHIX will act as a one-stop-shop for those who are seeking health insurance coverage for themselves and their families, and for small businesses to have options to insure their employees. The goal of establishing an exchange is to help bring down the rate of uninsured and to reform the insurance marketplace in New Mexico by directly connecting consumers with health insurance carriers. New Mexico’s exchange will include a call center, tribal assistance center, and customer assistance through navigators to help individuals and small businesses choose health insurance benefits tailored to their specific needs.

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Pearce Goes to Salazar with Lizard Problem

Washington, DC (November 28, 2011) Today, Congressman Steve Pearce and 17 other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives submitted a bipartisan letter to Ken Salazar, the Secretary of the Interior, opposing the proposed listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (DSL) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The letter also calls for at least a six-month delay of a listing decision to gather more credible science and to allow for current conservation efforts to enroll additional participants and grow its private funding base.
Steve Pearce
“Given the growing body of evidence, we ask that the Fish and Wildlife Service not list the DSL as endangered or threatened,” the Representatives wrote in the letter. “If the Service feels that it cannot make that determination at this time, then at a minimum, we request that it delay its final decision by at least six months to take into account the rapidly evolving state of facts on the ground.”
The science available to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) warranting the listing has since come under question, drawing a similar letter from both Senator Tom Udall and Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. “As with all listings, the crux of our concerns is the science underpinning this decision; there simply is not enough available information to credibly argue that the species is declining,” the letter continued. “There are also important questions about the science on which FWS based this proposed listing. Perhaps most obviously, a paper referenced in the proposed listing contradicts the conclusions drawn by FWS. The study, by Sias and Snell, shows that the lizard’s population actually increased by a factor of 2.4 in areas where oil and gas wells were present compared to an increase by a factor of 1.6 in areas without wells. Yet, FWS asserts that oil and gas wells are detrimental to lizard populations.”
Ken Salazar
Since the initial proposal of the listing, Congressman Pearce has taken a firm stance against a federal listing for the sake of saving jobs in New Mexico. Pearce supported a scientific roundtable to bring forth the truths of the science behind the lizard population, and continually expresses his commitment to solutions that protect both the lizard and jobs of hard working Americans.

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House shaking? Blame night maneuvers by F-22 Raptors

From the Las Cruces Sun-News - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE - Night maneuvers by F-22 Raptors will continue in the area and that concerns Lori English, a retired U.S. Marine. English is torn, she said, because she understands the importance of having a well-trained military but tempers that with the apparent damage to her East Mesa home, allegedly from sonic booms caused by the jets. "I've got a cinderblock house and there's cracks in every single room of my house," English said. "Since the flights started again, in September, these episodes of sonic booms have amounted to the same as 3.0 to 4.0 earthquakes. I know that because I used to live in California. These sonic booms literally rattle my whole house." Officials with the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, near Alamogordo, said Monday that training flights for F-22 Raptors are scheduled the next two weeks, and those will include flights after dark. That means chances for sonic booms to occur is possible. Because of the F-22's "supercruise" capability, sonic booms can happen when the aircraft is in flight. Read more
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Maxine Waters Will Take Over for Barney Frank

Maxine Waters
The Hill - Wall Street executives are bracing for the possibility that Rep. Maxine Waters will take over as the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee after Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) retires. Waters, an outspoken California liberal who is considered to the left of Frank on financial and housing issues, suggested in a statement Monday that she is laying the groundwork to become the senior Democrat on the panel. Read full story here: News New Mexico

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NM Jobless Rate 6.6%

New Mexico Business Journal - New Mexico added 5,000 jobs between October 2010 and October 2011, according to the Department of Workforce Solutions. Most of the growth came from the educational and health services sectors. The state’s unemployment rate was 6.6 percent last month, unchanged from September, but down from 8.6 percent a year ago. The national unemployment rate was 9 percent. This was the fifth straight month of over-the-year job growth, which follows a 32-month period of losses. The education and health services sectors added 6,900 jobs, growing 5.7 percent over the year. Retail trade also added 2,700 jobs and wholesale trade added 1,500. Read full story here: News New Mexico
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"Pedobear" Sightings Concern State Law Enforcement

From the Deming Headlight - "Our ICAC unit has received reports that the Pedobear window sticker has been sighted in Albuquerque on at least two vehicles recently," says AG King. "We are very concerned about the potential link between the Pedobear symbol and pedophiles; we also want to increase public awareness of the potential danger to children, especially young girls." The concept of the Pedobear began on the Internet as a digital representation of a bear that has a sexual interest in underage girls. Pedobear symbology has spread from the online subculture to mainstream depictions all over the world in the last couple of years. Recently, a man dressed as the Internet-based Pedobear was escorted by police from the San Diego Comic Con event, where he had been distributing candy to children. A photograph of a vehicle in Albuquerque sporting a Pedobear window sticker was forwarded to the Attorney General's Office by the New Mexico Department of Corrections. The AG's office is also distributing a flyer for parents and other concerned adults with more details about the Pedobear history. Read more
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Senator Wirth: Will Push for More Corporate Taxes

Peter Wirth
Santa Fe New Mexican - State Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, hasn't had much luck in the past eight years in his effort to pass a bill to make sure out-of-state corporations pay corporate income taxes in New Mexico. Wirth's past "combined reporting" bills have died repeatedly in legislative committees. Gov. Susana Martinez has said she'd veto it. Lobbyists say such a change would hurt business in the state and not bring in the level of revenue that proponents claim. But Wirth, who announced Monday he is seeking re-election to his Senate seat, isn't giving up. He said he'll introduce the bill once again in next year's Legislature. And he'll be speaking about the proposal Tuesday to a local progressive group called We Are People Here, which has taken up Wirth's proposal as one of its causes. Read full story here: News New Mexico
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Duran issues a snarky report we can’t trust

From NM Pollitics.net - by Heath Haussamen - We needed Secretary of State Dianna Duran to lead a transparent probe of the voter rolls that included county clerks from both parties so we could know there was evidence to back up the conclusions and that partisanship wasn’t an issue. We didn’t need a snarky report we can’t trust. Read more
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Appeals Court: No Water from Rio Grande for Albuquerque

KOB TV - The state Court of Appeals has ruled against the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County in a dispute over diverting water from the Rio Grande to supply drinking water for the metropolitan area. The court ruled on Monday that the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Authority failed to follow proper procedures in getting a permit from the state engineer's office to divert about 45,000 acre feet of river water. Red full story here: News New Mexico
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"Obama's Safety Net"


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Public policy and regulatory decisions driving up electricity rates

Marita Noon
Electricity rates now depend more on public policy and regulatory decisions than on actual costs. Based on a newly released report from Oliver Wyman, a leading global management consulting firm, “There is a growing need to increase electricity prices. These rate increases are largely being driven by environmental, regulatory, and security requirements.” And they are adding to “financial strain at the worst possible moment.” The report, designed to help utility companies deal with customer wrath, states that “the increases have been the most significant in the residential segment”—where they grew more quickly than other sectors. Despite declining pricing on some fuels, such as natural gas, electricity rates have risen 2.7% per year with some regions experiencing average price increases of 5.1% annually. In contrast, the consumer price index—excluding food and energy—rose by 1.7%.
Residential customers experiencing the highest increases, and/or potential increases, are those who are heavily dependent on coal-fueled generation, as required retrofits cannot economically meet existing environmental requirements—resulting in the proposed retirement of older coal-fueled plants. Existing and proposed EPA rules are having a significant impact on rates—with the vast majority of compliance costs falling on residents. The report states: “If these are enacted and enforced, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff has informally estimated that 8% of our electric generation capacity, representing 81 GW of the nation’s generating capacity, will need to be retired.”
Four Corners Power Plant
Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, was recently asked about the mass retirements of coal-fueled power plants as a result of EPA regulations. While they do not technically require shutting down any plant, the rules are such that plants cannot be operated economically—but Jackson doesn’t see that as her problem. “I can’t say what a business will decide to do. Some businesses are investing in nuclear, some are looking at natural gas. There are states that are leading the way on solar or wind.”
Jackson’s comment, plus the Department of Energy’s loan guarantees, makes clear that the only correct path is wind and solar. But why? Read full column here: News New Mexico
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The Ancestor of the Occupy Movement

By Doug Ross, from directorblue.blogspot.com -The birth of Occupy Wall Street's "99 percenters" may have occurred early in 2010. It was then that a group called "The Other 95%" came into being. The group was funded by Democrats and appeared explicitly designed to counter the Tea Party movement. And the group also fit a template for propaganda marketed by a man named Cass Sunstein. Sunstein, Barack Obama's 'Regulatory Czar', has a long history of left-wing advocacy. Unfortunately for Americans, it's for the kind of Statism that would make Mussolini cringe. Sunstein, among other egregious activities, supports the establishment of government propaganda ministries.  More News New Mexico
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Blacks Charge Discrimination at UNM

From bet.com -A new discrimination allegation happening in New Mexico right now is scary not only because of the discrimination itself, but also what it could mean for the future.  A group of Black pastors and the Albuquerque chapter of the NAACP have teamed up to file a complaint of bias with the U.S. Department of Justice. The pastors and civil rights activists allege that the University of New Mexico, the state’s second largest institution of higher learning, is biased in its hiring practices and the way it treats employees. Reports the New York Times: The Title VI complaint, which was also filed with the federal Department of Education, says university administrators have created a racially hostile environment for Black faculty members, students and the staff.  More News New Mexico
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Dems Not Giving Latino Candidates Enough Opportunity

From latino.foxnews.com -As more Latinos seek public office running as Republicans, their family backgrounds, particularly having to do with immigration, have come under increasing scrutiny by liberal Latino activists -- a scrutiny that Latino Democrats have not previously faced. Brigham Young University history professor Ignácio García said most Latino voters tend to vote Democratic but Republicans are more successful at recruiting Latino candidates. "The difference now is that these new Latino Republicans, like Martinez and Rubio, are better prepared and are being groomed as national figures," said Garcia. "Meanwhile, the Democrats are falling behind. They have no equivalent and they aren't giving Latinos the same opportunity."  More News New Mexico
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Reid's New Bill Would Stop City and State Immigration Enforcement

Sen. Harry Reid
From washingtonexaminer.com -Democrats in Congress have proposed a new racial profiling ban that could thwart state and local laws on immigration enforcement, such as the controversial Arizona law currently tied up in federal court, by witholding federal funding for state and local law enforcement agencies engaged in "racial profiling" and empowering the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file lawsuits against state and local governments.  Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and lead sponsor Ben Cardin, D-Md., are pushing the End Racial Profiling Act of 2011, which would, among other things, "withhold federal law enforcement funding if local and state governments failed to adopt effective policies that prohibit racial profiling" and "require the Attorney General to report on ongoing discriminatory profiling practices."  More News New Mexico
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Gary King Trails Most in Fraud Recovery Results

Gary King
NMPolitics - In 2010, Attorney General Gary King’s office recovered 53 cents for every $1 it spent to fight Medicaid fraud, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. Only Alaska had a worse record than New Mexico, according to the newspaper. Leading the pack was Missouri, which recovered more than $31 for each $1 spent. The national average was a recovery of $10 for every $1 spent. Read full story here: News New Mexico

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One Hundred Years of Statehood

Inside the Capitol - SANTA FE – What were the most important events of New Mexico's first 100 years of statehood? Mine appear below. The state Department of Cultural Affairs has a list, available in poster form. The New Mexico Blue Book has a list available from the Secretary of State's Office.
Jay Miller
1912 – Any such list must beginning with Jan. 6 when President William Howard Taft signed the statehood proclamation and Gov. William C. McDonald, a Democrat, is elected to office.
1916 – Pancho Villa's troops raid Columbus, NM. A massive Punative Expedition into Mexico, headed by Gen. Black Jack Pershing, ensued. It involved the first tactical use of air craft . A state park museum in Columbus tells a good story.
1926 – Route 66, the much celebrated "Mother Road," from Chicago to L.A., provides many with their first view of New Mexico and gave tourism a big boost..
1928 – Oil discovered near Hobbs. The Spanish had found insufficient gold, silver and copper to make New Mexico worth much to them but oil soon became New Mexico's biggest moneymaker.
1930 – Dr. Robert Goddard is convinced by Charles Lindbergh to move his rocket testing to the vast expanses of New Mexico. His many successful experiments earn him to title "father of rocketry."
Los Alamos National Lab
1940 – Milton "Doc" Noss claims to have discovered a huge storehouse of gold at Victorio Peak, very near what is now Spaceport America. The Army later closed the area for Alamogordo Bombing Range. Noss never could retrieve the gold he claimed but stories have persisted of government excavation of the hill. It became a topic of the Watergate hearings.
1941 -- New Mexico National Guard activated and shipped to the Philippines.
1942 – 1800 New Mexico Guard troops were surrendered on Bataan Peninsula. Half died on Death March, Hell Ships and Japanese work camps.
1943 – Manhattan Project locates in Los Alamos on secret mission.
1944 – Navajo Code Talkers distinguish themselves for development of unbreakable code.
Read full list here: News New Mexico
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