NMSU Board of Regents Hikes Fees and Tuition 7.9%

Javier Gonzales

Newnm note (Spence) Will there be some belt tightening at NMSU? Maybe. Will there be student tuition and fee hikes? Guaranteed.
The New Mexico State University Board of Regents, citing declining state appropriations decided to jack student tuition and fees by a whopping 7.9 percent on Friday. We have invited New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman and current NMSU Regent Javier Gonzales back on the show hoping we can ask him to elaborate on the resource management, funding priorities, and decision-making processes that led to such sharp rate increases on students during difficult economic times.

NMSU Board of Regents Hikes Fees and Tuition 7.9%

Pearce Continues to Says No to Borrowing Insanity

Steve Pearce

Washington, DC - Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following statement on Friday night’s agreement to avert a government shutdown: “In November, amidst an economic catastrophe, the American people made tremendous changes in Congress. Their statement was clear: they wanted the country to move dramatically in a new direction—a direction of smaller government, fiscal discipline, financial stability, and hope for future generations. “While I applaud the speaker and House leadership for their hard work to avoid a shutdown, there must be voices within Congress that hold us to a higher standard. I voted against tonight’s agreement because our goal must be greater than to merely avoid a shutdown. Congress must do better—Americans deserve no less. My vote tonight was intended to hold our leaders to a higher standard, to demonstrate to the country that there are elected officials in Washington that want to truly improve the future of America.

If we are not willing to make tough choices in this partial-year funding plan, then we cannot possibly make the crucial decisions needed on the debt ceiling, forensic budget audits, and next year’s spending bills. “We can never forget that this entire drama was the result of the previous Congress’ failure to act. Though Democrats had the White House and held significant majorities in both houses of Congress, they failed to fulfill their most basic Constitutional responsibilities, and never passed a budget.

It is simply unacceptable that America waited months for a long-term spending plan, and that we came within hours of cutting off pay for our troops. “I voted against tonight’s plan because it is not enough. For decades, both parties have tolerated rampant fiscal irresponsibility. Tonight’s outcome does little to demonstrate that Washington has listened or changed course. The American people need clear direction, bold vision and courageous leadership in these extraordinary and dangerous financial times.”

Pearce Continues to Says No to Borrowing Insanity

Rough Week for Sex Offenders

Capitol Report New Mexico - State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas and Gov. Susana Martinez clashed on Thursday (April 7th) as the Governor vetoed a bill sponsored by the Albuquerque Democrat, with Maestas touting House Bill 298 as a measure that would strengthen sex offender laws but the Governor countering that the measure would only weaken them. “It’s unfortunate and quite disappointing that the Governor of our great state doesn’t have the first clue how the legislative process works,” Maestas said in a written statement Thursday afternoon. Martinez responded with her own news release saying, “It is unacceptable to allow sex offenders to work as janitors, assistant coaches, and in other supervised positions around children without having to register their place of employment.” Read full story here: News New Mexico

Rough Week for Sex Offenders

Rep. Jeannette Wallace Dies

Jeanette Wallace

New Mexico Representative Jeanette Wallace, 77, of Los Alamos passed away Friday according to the Los Alamos Monitor. Wallace passed away at home after suffering various illnesses. At one point in February Wallace was hospitalized during the recently ended legislative session. Rep. Wallace had served New Mexico District 43 for twenty years.

Rep. Jeannette Wallace Dies

Too Many "Disaster Averted" Discussions Like This One

Whew! Honey, we Americans just averted a disaster, a catastrophe, I mean a real nightmare. You oughta come in here and watch CNN with me. Can you imagine the absolute horror of a government shutdown? How did we ever manage to avoid such a looming threat when it looked like all hope was lost? I mean really, how did we finally summon the courage to avert this disaster?

Oh, I see. They are saying it right here. A compromise deal was reached by Democrats and Republicans. Hey they are putting some numbers on the screen. The compromise means we as a nation will continue to borrow $4 billion dollars every single day. Hey, wait a minute honey. Let's turn down the volume for a second. Hmmmmm. When I run my calculator that’s more than a $1,000 per month for every taxpayer and $2,000 for a taxpaying couple.

Hey! With that much for a monthly payment, why hell, we could pay off our credit cards pretty fast and then buy ourselves a brand new beautiful house and a new car too. So, honey, tell me, do you think we are going to get a new house and a new car from the government? No? So what you are saying to me is that this $2,000 per month on my calculator screen here is how much the government is already borrowing to give us what we are getting from it right now? Hmmmm.

Well, anyway, I'm gonna turn the channel over to MSNBC and turn the volume back up. Man! I am so glad we averted that disaster and catastrophe of a government shutdown. MSNBC is right! 

What could those racist Tea Party members possibly be thinking of? Why are they so obsessed with trying to change how resources are managed in Washington? I mean you know, to run the risk of a catastrophe like a government shut........hmmmmm, did I say the compromise means the government is going to keep borrowing $2,000 a month for every taxpaying couple in America? Well, whatever, honey we just need to keep staying informed by watching MSNBC and CNN and reading our newspaper every day. Otherwise, how would we have possibly known we really had a close one there. Whew! Well, OK babe. That's enough politics for the weekend. Let's go back to CNN. Hey! Look there. They still have that reporter over there in North Africa. Look, he's dodging sniper bullets and pointing at oil fields again.

I sure hope our boys out there on those ships do good in Libya. Hey honey can you gimme the credit card? I'm out of cash till payday cause I had to fill up the van last night. You know it cost me $85 damned dollars just to fill it up? Do you know how long I have to work for $85?  Ok thanks. I'll be back in a few. I am going to run down to the convenience store. Yea I gotta go back. Last night I forgot to stock up on some beer again and get some more lottery tickets. Hey! don't worry honey. I know the credit card is almost maxed out again. But I'll be applying for another card next week. When our new card gets here things will be just fine and we will avert our own catastrophe just like the government did. Just remember babe. This is America and some day real soon our ship will come in. You want me to get some potato chips for you?

Too Many "Disaster Averted" Discussions Like This One

Martinez Protects Job Creation

Susana Martinez

Santa Fe New Mexican - Republican Gov. Susana Martinez signed a bill Friday that reduces payouts to those who have lost their jobs but torpedoed a charge to businesses that would have helped balance the unemployment compensation fund. In wrapping up work on bills passed by the Legislature, Martinez used line-item veto powers to reject a $128 million increase on businesses but preserved nearly $80 million in benefit reductions in a measure to shore up the finances of the unemployment compensation program. With no action by the state, the fund was projected to run out of money early next year.

The governor's action came under sharp criticism from a Democratic legislator, who wants the veto challenged in court. "That's an illegal action," said Rep. Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque. Under the state constitution, the governor can make line-item vetoes only in appropriations bills. The governor defended her veto at a news conference, saying an unemployment fix could be considered during a special session of the Legislature, which is expected this fall to deal with redistricting. "We're going to have time to fix it without raising taxes on businesses right now," Martinez said. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Martinez Protects Job Creation