Energy Votes Provide Strong Indications of Why Unemployment is a Huge Problem

New Mexico voters got another strong indication of how its elected officials view job creation policies in Washington late this week. Congressman Steve Pearce voted in favor of H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act on Friday while his counterparts, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan voted against it. “This legislation protects jobs in the coal ash industry, which includes mining, power plant and cement sectors,” said Pearce. “While this bill devolves power to the states in permitting processes for the coal residual permit program, it does force all facilities to comply with the criteria of the Waste Disposal Act for the protection of groundwater and other valuable resources.”
“Unnecessary regulations kill jobs,” Pearce continued. “The EPA itself stated that coal residuals, or coal ash, should not be regulated as a hazardous material on two separate occasions. Coal ash regulations directly affect employees in throughout New Mexico, especially in the two coal fired power plants at Four Corners and Prewitt, which is near Grants. By allowing states to regulate permits for coal combustion residuals, we will save 300,000 jobs nationally. We can have economic growth and a clean environment.”
Four Corners Power Plant
Presumably, both Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan voted against the job saving legislation that could have prevented higher unemployment rates and rising electricity rates in the state due to environmentalist influences. Heinrich, who is seeking the Senate seat held by Jeff Bingaman has long be opposed to coal as a source of energy, preferring the federal government direct taxpayer investments in solar projects. Lujan, who met recently with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Santa Fe, also prefers additional federal controls that are likely to lead to further weakening of the prospects for continued employment at the Four Corners Power Plants near Farmington and at Prewitt near Grants.

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Martinez and Barela Announce Big Jobs Deal

Susana Martinez
Governor Susana Martinez made the following statement after receiving notification that global electronics manufacturer TE Connectivity will merge two distribution and manufacturing centers in the southwest United States into a single facility in Santa Teresa. Governor Martinez and Economic Development Secretary-designate Jon Barela both met personally with representatives from TE Connectivity to encourage them to expand their operations in New Mexico and contribute to the state’s growing economy along the southern border. “As we work to encourage economic growth in and attract new businesses to our state, I’m pleased that TE Connectivity has decided to expand in Santa Teresa,” said Governor Martinez. “Continuing to foster a friendlier environment that encourages growth and investment will send a signal that New Mexico is open for business. This announcement is an important development and I am committed to further encouraging growth and expansion as we work to turn New Mexico’s economy around.”
“New Mexico can and should be an attractive destination for businesses to grow and expand,” added Secretary Barela. “TE Connectivity’s decision to centralize their operations in Santa Teresa is a great step forward for economic development in our state. This administration remains committed to creating a friendlier business environment so we can continue to attract businesses and create jobs in New Mexico.”
Governor Martinez and Secretary Barela met with TE Connectivity executives in Albuquerque over the summer and encouraged them to consider merging their southwestern facilities in Santa Teresa. As a result, Southern New Mexico will house the company’s largest distribution and manufacturing center in the United States.
Jon Barela
“Our conversations with Governor Martinez and her administration were very encouraging as we were making the decision to expand operations in Santa Teresa,” said Joann Piccolo, Vice President of Global Government Affairs for TE Connectivity. “We are grateful for the guidance provided by Governor Martinez and Secretary Barela and we look forward to a long and successful presence in Southern New Mexico.”
TE Connectivity designs and manufactures over 500,000 products and employs nearly 100,000 workers. Their partners include customers in a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, energy, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and communications networks.

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Heinrich and Wilson Lead Fundraising Derbies

Heather Wilson
Santa Fe New Mexican - Democrat Martin Heinrich and Republican Heather Wilson are looking even more like front-runners in the U.S. Senate primaries with the announcement of their latest fundraising efforts. According to figures released by the campaigns, Heinrich has more than twice the cash on hand of his primary opponent, State Auditor Hector Balderas, while Wilson has nearly four times as much money in the bank as her chief primary opponent, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez.
Martin Heinrich
Heinrich, a congressman representing Albuquerque, raised more than $650,000 in the third quarter of the year, his campaign reports. That's better than twice that raised by Balderas, who reported raising $250,000. Heinrich's campaign says he has more than $1.1 million cash on hand. Balderas has $465,000, a campaign spokeswoman said. Read full story here: News New Mexico

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