Texas Becomes 12th State to Require Photo Voter ID

From reuters.com -Texas Governor Rick Perry on Friday ceremonially signed a bill making Texas the twelfth state to require photo identification from voters. "Today we take a major step forward in ensuring the integrity of our electoral process in Texas, a major step protecting the most cherished right that we enjoy as a people," Perry, joined by lawmakers who supported the legislation, told reporters.  The measure was one of the Republican governor's "emergency" legislative priorities for the session, and he's not alone. Republicans across the country are pushing such legislation. This year, more than 30 states have considered adding or strengthening voter identification requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures  More News New Mexico

Texas Becomes 12th State to Require Photo Voter ID

NM Paying Contractor Nearly $2M to Redesign Medicaid

From therepublic.com -Gov. Susana Martinez's administration will pay a contractor $1.7 million to revamp the Medicaid program, which provides health care to more than a fourth of New Mexico's population.
The Human Services Department announced Friday it hopes to finish a Medicaid redesign by fall and will hold public hearings. The agency wants to implement changes within the next 18 months to two years.  More News New Mexico

NM Paying Contractor Nearly $2M to Redesign Medicaid

More and More Cold Temperature Data Points Are Contradicting Dire Global Warming Predictions

Mynorthwest - Temperatures are forecast to be well below normal this Memorial Day weekend, prompting warnings as campers and hikers head out into the great outdoors. The scientific explanation for our cool, showery, snowy weather comes from Jay Albrecht at the National Weather Service. "An unusually cool and deep upper level low pressure system here on the west coast has brought the snow levels down quite a bit," said Albrecht. That system means snow at the mountain pass level, and just plain cold, drippy weather in the campgrounds. Most campgrounds are open this weekend around western Washington with some notable exceptions, including Denny Creek, in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and Cougar Rock in Mount Rainier National Park.  Read full story here: News New Mexico

More and More Cold Temperature Data Points Are Contradicting Dire Global Warming Predictions

Cities Water Needs Could Deplete Rural Areas

Rep. Dennis Kintigh (Chaves)

Veritas New Mexico - Communities in rural New Mexico are watching apprehensively as the Rio Grande Valley’s growing water needs threaten to deplete their water resources, two state legislators said recently. Attorneys for members of several of the communities have challenged applications to the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) by the developers of two large projects to transfer water from other parts of the state into the Valley. One project, Berrendo LLC, would transfer more than 2 billion gallons of water a year from a site near Fort Sumner to somewhere near Santa Fe. The second project is asking the OSE for permission to drill 37 wells on the San Augustin Ranch in Catron County, then pump about 17 billion gallons of water a year to the Rio Grande. An OSE hearing examiner denied Berrendo’s applications Feb. 8 on the grounds the company failed to name an actual end user of the water or a move-to location where the water would be used — requirements under New Mexico’s water law and constitution, which states that beneficial use is the basis, measure and limit of a water right. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Cities Water Needs Could Deplete Rural Areas

Pearce Amendment of Department of Defense Funding Bill Would Help New Mexico's Small Businesses

Steve Pearce

Washington, DC (May 25, 2011) Today, Congressman Steve Pearce offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011. Congressman Pearce’s amendment addresses a problem wherein New Mexico’s local small businesses are not given a fair chance to compete for Department of Defense (DOD) funding because contracts are often bundled in large amounts that small businesses cannot afford. “New Mexico firms are never going to be able to bid on $500 million contracts,” said Pearce, “but they could easily service the contracts in local bases. The Department of Defense needs a better, more local contracting system which allows small business to compete fairly and use their local expertise.”

Congressman Pearce’s amendment would require the DOD Inspector General to conduct a review of the Department’s compliance with the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which does not allow an agency to bundle contracts if the total amount of the bundled contracts is over $2 million.

Currently, projects and contracts are centered around large corporations which then sub-contract to local small businesses. Not only does this practice unfairly distribute DOD resources, but local businesses often lose contract opportunities—and with them revenue and job opportunities—even when their regional knowledge would allow them to provide better service. Congressman Pearce’s amendment is intended to level the playing field so that New Mexico’s

mall businesses can compete fairly and create jobs. Congressman Pearce has been a consistent advocate for small businesses, calling them “the backbone of the American economy,” and a vital source of job growth.

Pearce Amendment of Department of Defense Funding Bill Would Help New Mexico's Small Businesses

Governor's Office Releases Memorial Day Event List

Susana Martinez

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez today encouraged all New Mexicans to honor the men and women who have lost their lives in the service of our country by participating in one of the many Memorial Day activities being held across the state over the coming days. The Governor’s office web site will be updated throughout the week with Memorial Day ceremonies and services taking place across New Mexico. “The efforts and sacrifices made by the men and women of our military can never be repaid,” said Governor Martinez. “I hope that all New Mexicans will join me in honoring the lives of those who died in the name of protecting our country and defending the freedoms that we all treasure. By joining our local communities and participating in one of the many ceremonies and services taking place across New Mexico, we can show our gratitude to our active duty military members, veterans, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country.”

“I hope everyone will make Memorial Day a personal day of honor and remembrance,” added Veterans Services Secretary Tim Hale. “I encourage New Mexicans to attend one of the many ceremonies around the state to honor the true heroes in our society. On Memorial Day, each of us has the opportunity to pause and remember those who gave their all.” A list of Memorial Day events taking place around the state can be found below and at the website of the Governor’s office at http://governor.state.nm.us. Saturday, May 28

Clovis: Placing of flags on gravesites, Lawn Haven Garden of Honor, 10:00 a.m.

Elephant Butte: Parade of Boats, Elephant Butte Lake, 10:00 a.m.
Ft. Stanton: Memorial Ceremony, Ft. Stanton Cemetery, 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 29
Questa: Healing Field Ceremony, Healing Field of Honor, 1:00 p.m.
Monday, May 30
Albuquerque: Memorial Ceremony, Veterans Memorial Park, 10:00 a.m.
Albuquerque: Memorial Ceremony, Sunset Memorial Park, 1:30 p.m.
Angel Fire: Memorial Ceremony, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, 11:00 a.m.
Carlsbad: Memorial Ceremony, Eddy County Courthouse lawn, 11:00 a.m.
Clovis: Memorial Ceremony, Lawn Haven Cemetery, 11:00 a.m.

Gallup: Memorial Service, Hillcrest Cemetery, 9:00 a.m.
Gallup: Memorial Day Parade, Hillcrest Cemetery to Courthouse Square, 10:00 a.m.
Gallup: Memorial Ceremony, Courthouse Square, 11:00 a.m.
Hobbs: Memorial Service, Prairie Haven Cemetery, 10:00 a.m.
Isleta: Memorial Prayer Breakfast, St. Augustine Catholic Church, 9:00 a.m.
Las Cruces: Raising of Garrison Flag by Code Talkers, Veterans Memorial Park, 8:00 a.m.
Las Cruces: Memorial Ceremony, Veterans Memorial Park, 11:00 a.m.

Las Cruces: Lowering of Garrison Flag, Veterans Memorial Park, 5:00 p.m.
Los Alamos: Memorial Ceremony, Guaje Pines Cemetery, 11:00 a.m.
Rio Rancho: Veterans Memorial, Rio Rancho Veterans Monument, 11:00 a.m.
Roswell: Flag Display Ceremony by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 968, Krumland Auto Group, 6:00 a.m.
Roswell: Memorial Ceremony, South Park Cemetery, 11:00 a.m.
Santa Fe: Memorial Ceremony, Santa Fe National Cemetery, 10:30 a.m.
Tularosa: Memorial Ceremony, Tularosa Veterans Memorial Park, 11:30 a.m.

Governor's Office Releases Memorial Day Event List

KINN 1270 - AM in Alamogordo Will Air News New Mexico

News New Mexico is pleased to announce that KINN 1270 - AM in Alamogordo, New Mexico will become the fifth affiliate radio station to air the News New Mexico radio show. KINN station owner Bill Burt and the NewsNM board reached the agreement on May 26th. The time frame for the launch date of the show will be determined in early June.

KINN 1270 - AM in Alamogordo Will Air News New Mexico

Supreme Court to Hear Veto Dispute in June

New Mexico Supreme Court Building

KOB - TV - The state Supreme Court will hear arguments next month from lawyers in a dispute over vetoes by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. The court scheduled a hearing June 22 in two lawsuits by Democratic lawmakers. It's possible the court could make a ruling that day. Legislators sued Wednesday, asking the court to overturn two line-item vetoes by the governor earlier this year. The lawmakers contend the governor exceeded her powers. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Supreme Court to Hear Veto Dispute in June

Chavez: We're the Problem

Linda Chavez

Townhall - The American middle class has become increasingly dependent on government programs, from guaranteed student loans for the young to income and medical support for the elderly. But few people are willing to pay for the benefits they receive. According to a study by the Brookings Institution, the average male Social Security recipient receives an average 21 percent more in benefits than he (and his employers) paid into the system in taxes. Medicare recipients receive an even higher ratio of benefit to taxes paid in. The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare estimated that by 2016, the average male would receive about 160 percent in benefits from what he and his employer paid in taxes, and the average female an even higher percentage. And an estimated 25 percent of Medicare expenditures go for care in the last year of life, a figure that has remained steady over the last several decades. Read full column here: News New Mexico

Chavez: We're the Problem

Swickard: $howing Sufficient Re$pect

Michael and Conrad

NMPolitics - Many New Mexicans believe “pay for play” is our state motto. Nope, other states got that first. Ours is: “$howing $ufficient re$pect in the give-to-go Land of Enticement.” It is the way decisions are made by some leaders, though not all. And there is the rub. Average citizens find it is hard to figure out who is on the “give-to-go” and who is not. A general rule I use is that when lots and lots of money is given to someone elected who has a means to reward contributions, then it more than likely means something. From my four decades of watching New Mexico politicians I have several overarching perceptions. First, there are some politicians who cannot be bought, nor are they swayed in the least by money on the table. You will offend them if you even hint at scummy actions. They hate bad behavior, legal or not. Then there are other politicians who are open for business at all times. They get quite huffy when you do not understand which way the dollars have to flow for attention. They expect everyone to understand that money greases the wheels of their attention. News New Mexico

Swickard: $howing Sufficient Re$pect