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| Ben Lujan |
Ben Lujan Honored in U.S. Senate
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Wins Hottest Pepper Title
Nuke Us: The Town That Wants America's Atomic Waste
From Forbes.com staff writer Christopher Helman - There’s a secure solution to America’s nuclear waste problem: bury it under Carlsbad, New Mexico. The locals are ready — if only Washington would get out of the way. Bob Forrest is known for a lot of things in Carlsbad, a quiet city of 25,000 on the edge of New Mexico’s empty, endless Chihuahuan Desert. He was mayor here for 16 years. He’s chairman of the local bank and owns the spanking new Fairfield Inn, which sits next to the new Chili’s and the new Wal-Mart. And he helped bring 200,000 tons of deadly nuclear waste to town. That’s not a bad thing—at least not here. Unlike thousands of other places in America, where the thought of trucking in barrels of radioactive garbage from atomic weapons plants would lead to marches, face paint and, invariably, pandering politicians (witness Nevada’s stalled Yucca Mountain project), Carlsbad has a different take. “It’s really a labor of love,” says Forrest. “We’ve proven that nuclear waste can be disposed of in a safe, reliable way.” More News New Mexico
Pearce: Trial Lawyers Have Harmed the Taxpayers and Private Investments in Spaceport America
It should surprise no one that spaceflight is still riskier than airline flight. In 2004, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act was signed into federal law and has worked very well in fostering the development of new companies in the United States—especially New Mexico.
Recently, even in this climate of political discord in Washington, the federal statute was extended by BOTH the House and Senate through 2015, with bipartisan and bicameral support from a majority of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation. Just this week, President Obama signed this vital extension into law. Washington, remarkably, has done its job here. Why can’t Santa Fe?
Texas, Virginia and Florida already have this language in their statutes and are in sync with the federal law. Colorado’s legislature is expected to approve the legislation by May. In essence, recognizing the future growth and potential the commercial space flight industry offers, they acted and removed their state loophole laws. It was imperative that this law be passed in New Mexico to continue the expansion of commercial space travel here in our great state. Read rest of column here: News New Mexico
Study: 24 Million Invalid Voter Registrations
State Charter School Ranking Increases
Former Fire Chief Lied About Identity
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| Eddie Velarde |
Native American Jewelry Huge in Japan
Senate Republicans Frustrated with the Michael Sanchez Reform Blockade
Many Republican State Senators say it is a good budget that continues to invest in public education, while meeting its financial responsibilities to fund Medicaid. The $5.6 billion dollar budget spends about $220 million more than the current year budget. Much of that 4% increase goes to public schools and Medicaid. The legislature also passed over $280 million in capital outlay for many New Mexico communities.
Passing a balanced budget in the 30 day legislative session, is the only constitutional requirement the legislature has in the even numbered years when the session is held. In addition to passing a budget, education reform and tax breaks to encourage economic development in the state were hotly debated during the session. Senators predicted that the bills that did not pass regarding education reform, tax reductions to encourage economic development and stopping illegal immigrants from receiving New Mexico driver’s licenses will be back. Read rest of the story here: News New Mexico
Court Halts Hearing on Pit Rule
Legislative Session Marred by Stalling and Blocking of Reforms Ends at Noon Today
Still up in the air is the question of whether crime rings will continue to be able to operate with impunity in New Mexico thanks to a so called "compromise" bill in the Senate that will enable the DMV to continue to issue driver's licenses to people here illegally.
Also in question is whether New Mexico schools will continue to engage in the widely discredited practice of social promotion of children who lack basic reading skills.
It seems that the disastrous competitive impact of pyramiding due to a bad gross receipt tax structure will continue. And reforms to the scandal plagued Public Regulation Commission appear to have been effectively blocked in the Senate by Michael Sanchez.Most New Mexicans paying attention are scratching their heads recalling that just sixteen months ago Governor Martinez was elected to clean up the mess in Santa Fe.
However, with Democrats still in control of the House and Senate........reform blocking has become the name of the game played by those in control. It's a shame.
Martinez Blasts Brooks for NCLB Waiver Comments
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| Gov. Susana Martinez |
From KOB-TV.com - The governor is celebrating New Mexico's waiver from No Child Left Behind, but she is also blasting Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks. After learning New Mexico got the waiver, Governor Susana Martinez took to Facebook on Wednesday, saying: "I am proud of the fact that New Mexico is ahead of 39 other states in terms of education reform.
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| Winston Brooks |
It was embarrassing that the superintendent of the state's largest school district was cheering against New Mexico last week to score cheap political points." When KOB Eyewitness News 4 asked Martinez about the post, she said last week Brooks said it was embarrassing that New Mexico was not one of the last states to receive the waiver.
On Wednesday, Brooks sent out a statement about No Child Left Behind commending the state for its efforts. He then went on to say he was "eager to see the detials of the waiver to better understand expectations from the U.S. Department of Education." We tried getting reaction from Superintendent Brooks and were told he is out of town. Read more
Bill Calls for Gaming Taxes to be Studied
Santa Fe- The New Mexico State Senate tonight unanimously passed a memorial requesting the Gaming Control Board to study the tax situation at racetracks. 
The sponsor of the Senate Memorial 52- Racetrack Casino Progressive Tax Study- is Senate Minority Caucus Chair Steven Neville. (R-San Juan.)“We need to study the fairness of our tax situation for our racetrack casinos and their competitiveness with Indian casinos,” Senator Neville said. “The five racetracks in the state pay half of the racing taxes while the remaining half is paid by the 16 Indian casinos. The few racetracks are paying 50% of the taxes because of the disparity in taxation. Racetrack casinos pay as high as 26% tax while Indian casinos only pay 8%. This inequality needs to be studied and how it affects the competitiveness of racetrack casinos.”
The memorial will study the feasibility of implementing a progressive tax bracket based on revenue generated by race tracks. Senator Neville said the competitiveness is important for their future and their ability to continue to contribute millions in tax revenue to the state. Senator Neville said the racetrack businesses contribute $400 million to the state’s economy.
The sponsor of the Senate Memorial 52- Racetrack Casino Progressive Tax Study- is Senate Minority Caucus Chair Steven Neville. (R-San Juan.)
“The current tax structure makes it difficult for racetrack casinos to compete with the Indian casinos, the study should be reported to the legislature by November,” Senator Neville said.
Democrats push to keep straight-party balloting
From the Santa Fe New Mexican.com - Since the late 1960s, New Mexico voters have been able to vote a straight-party ticket -- picking all Democrats or all Republicans -- in general elections. However, the straight-party option isn't listed anywhere in the state election code, and some Democrats fear the option will disappear by the November general election. What apparently stirred those fears is that the secretary of state, Dianna Duran, is a Republican -- the first Republican in that office since 1930. Duran says straight-ticket voting isn't authorized -- and, she argues, isn't permitted -- under current law. The Senate on Thursday voted 26-12 in favor of a bill that would make the straight-ticket ballot option part of state law. The vote on Senate Bill 218 was along party lines, with all Democrats for it and all Republicans against it. Even if the bill makes it through the House, however, there probably is trouble ahead for the legislation. Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, doesn't support the proposal, a spokesman said Wednesday. Read more
Lobos defeat #13 San Diego State
From the Alamogordo Daily News - SAN DIEGO—The New Mexico Lobos came into No. 13 San Diego State's loud, crazy arena and made a bold statement of their own. Kendall Williams scored 21 points and Drew Gordon had 17 points and 17 rebounds as the Lobos stunned the Aztecs 77-67 on Wednesday night to move into sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference. "We needed momentum and we needed a proving game, and this is a pretty good proving game for us," New Mexico coach Steve Alford said. It's been a crazy several days in the MWC, and the Lobos (21-4, 7-2), who won their sixth straight, have been the beneficiaries. No. 11 UNLV beat the Aztecs on Saturday and then lost in overtime at TCU on Tuesday night. "We're 21-4. Our guys have done an incredible job of being consistent and playing well all year long," Alford said. Read more
Are You Making the FBI Suspicious? Fliers Reveal What They’re Looking For
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