Don't wait for Social Security check in the mail

From the Carlsbad Current-Argus - AP - By Stephen Ohlemacher - WASHINGTON — Starting next year, the check will no longer be in the mail for millions of people who receive Social Security and other government benefits. The federal government, which issues 73 million payments a month, is phasing out paper checks for all benefit programs, requiring people to get payments electronically, either through direct deposit or a debit card for those without a bank account. The changes will affect people who get Social Security, veterans' benefits, railroad pensions and federal disability payments. Tax refunds are exempt, but the Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to get refunds electronically by processing those refunds faster than paper checks. About 90 percent of people who receive federal benefits already get their payments electronically, the Treasury Department says. New beneficiaries were required to get payments electronically starting last year, and with a few exceptions, the rest will have to make the switch by March 2013. Read more

Don't wait for Social Security check in the mail

Swickard: Issues of water and slaughter go hand in hand

Commentary by Michael Swickard, Ph.D. - So why are horses looking bad these days? Start with the question: why did many New Mexico ranchers take most of their cattle to market last summer? It was the price of feed. The normal price of alfalfa was about six dollar a bale. Suddenly it went up and up until today that price now is around $22 a bale. Why sell herds of animals? Because it is too hard to feed the livestock and remain profitable when feed goes up 400 percent. And feed them the producers must because New Mexico is in an extended hard drought. That does not excuse mistreatment of any animal, but we need to soften our hearts a bit and understand the dynamics at work. First, why is feed up 400 percent? It is entirely connected to lack of water for New Mexico farmers. Growing alfalfa requires lots of water. Rain alone will not do it in New Mexico. When the snowpack is much less than abundant and the allocation of water to farmers is cut, the farmers must concentrate their slender water resources on growing fewer fields to have enough water for their crops. Read column

Swickard: Issues of water and slaughter go hand in hand

Pearce Votes In Support Of Keeping New Mexico's Access To Its Federal Lands

Steve Pearce

Washington DC - Today, Congressman Steve Pearce voted in favor of H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. The legislation, which preserves access to hunt and fish on federal lands, passed the House of Representatives today with bi-partisan support.
“In New Mexico, hunting and fishing are among the most popular recreational activities, and the rights of New Mexicans to utilize the land around them should be protected,” said Pearce. “Our state has many natural treasures and valued lands placed under federal protection, and New Mexicans deserve the opportunity to responsibly utilize these areas. I am proud to support this bill, and I am pleased that the House voted to pass it today. Regulations have hampered people’s access to utilize federal lands in environmentally friendly ways, especially the elderly, the disabled and families with young children. H.R. 4089 will allow the public more recreational uses.”
“Importantly, this bill also includes language to create a greater level of accountability in monument designations made by the President,” Pearce continued. “Under this legislation, Presidential monument declarations will require approval from the state legislature and the Governor of the state where the monument is proposed. This is an important safeguard against federal overreach, and ensures ample public input on how to best protect our natural resources.” 

Pearce Votes In Support Of Keeping New Mexico's Access To Its Federal Lands

Shuttle Discovery Makes Final Voyage

From Sci-Tech Today -Space shuttle Discovery soared around the Washington Monument and the White House in a salute to the nation's capital Tuesday before landing for the last time near its new museum home. The world's most traveled spaceship took off at daybreak from Cape Canaveral, Fla., bolted to the top of a modified jumbo jet for the trip. Three hours later, the pair took a few spins around Washington at an easy-to-spot 1,500-foot altitude before the retired shuttle was grounded for good. The combo landed at Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. Discovery will be towed Thursday to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum annex near the airport. More News New Mexico

Shuttle Discovery Makes Final Voyage

NM Women Earn 79 Cents for Every $1 Made by Men

From bizjournals.com -  Women in New Mexico, on average, earn 79 cents for every $1 made by men in the state.  That’s according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau   and its American Community Survey from 2010. The National Partnership for Women & Families   is highlighting what it says is a persistent wage gap across the country as part of a push to support the Paycheck Fairness Act. It has an online report for each state. The report calculates that as a group, full-time working women in New Mexico lose about $2.3 billion each year due to the wage gap, citing Census data.  More News New Mexico

NM Women Earn 79 Cents for Every $1 Made by Men

NM Gets Big Bump in State Tax Revenue in 2011

From capitolreportnewmexico.com -It seems whenever a national survey comes out, the good people of New Mexico have become used to bracing themselves for bad news. But the state received some rare good news on Tuesday (April 17) when a survey released by the US Census Bureau showed New Mexico racking up the fourth-best increase in state total tax revenue in 2011. The Census Bureau’s annual report contains statistics on the fiscal year tax collections of all 50 state governments, including receipts from licenses and compulsory fees. It provides a summary of taxes collected by states for up to 25 tax categories.  More here

NM Gets Big Bump in State Tax Revenue in 2011

Steve Pearce Has $682K Stockpiled for Re-election

From therepublic.com -Republican Congressman Steve Pearce holds a large fundraising advantage over his Democratic challenger in the race for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District seat. In his latest campaign finance disclosure filed with the Federal Election Commission, Pearce reported a cash balance of $682,200 in his re-election account at the end of March.  Democratic challenger Evelyn Madrid Erhard of Mesilla had cash-on-hand of nearly $5,600.  Pearce raised $208,900 from January through March, including $2,600 from Sunland Park racetrack and casino owner Stan Fulton. Pearce received $5,000 from a political action committee affiliated with Bass Brothers Enterprises Inc., a Texas family's investment company. Madrid Erhard netted contributions of nearly $11,600, including $1,070 from Mesilla Park retiree Aleta Wilson and $200 from former state Rep. J. Paul Taylor of Mesilla.

Steve Pearce Has $682K Stockpiled for Re-election

New Mexico Breaks Ad Campaign to Bolster Tourism

Santa Fe - The New Mexico Tourism Department intends to put an end to misconceptions and highlight the authentic experiences New Mexico offers to visitors with its new advertising campaign, “New Mexico True.”  In focus groups last year, consumers envisioned New Mexico to be “barren and dull.” The state’s tourism department wants to prove those perceptions false with its new campaign, which rolls out this week to drive markets in neighboring Texas, Arizona and Colorado. The campaign is part of a $2 million branding effort designed to attract new tourists to New Mexico. Secretary of Tourism Monique Jacobson said the campaign seeks not only to enlighten travelers as to New Mexico’s varied landscapes and vast offerings, but also to convey the authenticity that awaits them there. “Our target audience, the ‘venturer,’ seeks a travel experience that is not manufactured – one that is true, good and real. One that will feed the soul,” Jacobson said. “New Mexico uniquely satisfies this quest because it is authentic and true in its people, landscape and culture.” Television spots, out-of-home, print and digital banner ads invite viewers to discover a landscape as rich in participatory, true and welcoming experiences as it is in natural beauty. (A sampling of each is included in this digital news release.) The colorful, naturally lit spots capture a series of moments that together tell a story of adventure and connection, New Mexico style. The campaign was created by Vendor Inc., an Austin, Texas-based advertising agency. Vignettes shot all over New Mexico show couples and families hiking, kayaking, llama trekking, making pottery, exploring historic ruins, observing native dances, stargazing,  shopping, and sampling local foods and wine. Future spots will capture more New Mexico adventures on the ski slopes, in museums and galleries, and at the state’s many markets and fiestas. “It’s more about ‘site-doing’ than ‘sight-seeing,’” Jacobson added. “Adventure here doesn’t mean thrill-seeking, but rather making a true connection to the land, its past and present, and to ourselves.” The campaign kicks off this week in Tucson, Ariz.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and El Paso, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Amarillo, Texas. The New Mexico Tourism Department plans to expand the campaign to additional markets later this year. In concurrence with the new ad campaign, the department is also launching a website redesign at http://www.newmexico.org/. See video and read more News New Mexico

New Mexico Breaks Ad Campaign to Bolster Tourism

NM Dept of Health: 1 out of 4 Women Likely to be Raped

From ktsm.com -In a new report, the State Health Department says one in every four women has been raped at least once in her lifetime. In 2010, New Mexico had almost a ten percent increase in the number of sexual assaults. Why is this violent crime getting even worse? News Channel Nine spoke with the New Mexico Health department to find out. April is sexual assault awareness month and it couldn't be a better time to address a terrible problem in New Mexico. "We've seen a pretty dramatic increase in the number of rapes and what we're really trying to do with this new data, is bring awareness to the fact that these crimes do happen in the community," said Chris Minnick, the public information officer at the New Mexico State Health Department.  But something's not clear about the new statistics. "It's a double edged sword you know. It's not a good thing to see a number increase because it means more people are victims of this crime, but in another regard seeing an increase in the numbers means that more people are reporting this crime, which is what we really want people to do," said Minnick. The new data says that men are also victims of rape, but the women's numbers are shocking; one in four New Mexico women have been raped in their lifetime.  More News New Mexico

NM Dept of Health: 1 out of 4 Women Likely to be Raped

Johnny Luevano Goes to Supreme Court

Johnny Luevano

The press conference in front of retired Marine Johnny Luevano's home in Albuquerque yesterday was short and sweet. He announced that he would appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court the irreconcilable decision by Judge Alan Malott to remove him from the ballot in November. Luevano is running against Albuquerque attorney and incumbent Moe Maestas. If Judge Malott's decision stands Maestas will be unopposed in November. Last week Maestas' attorneys convinced Judge Malott to kick Luevano off the ballot for a technicality beyond Luevano's control. The decision came in the same week that the New Mexico Supreme Court brushed aside technical deficiencies associated with nearly a dozen candidates that messed up their own filings and gave voters choices.

Johnny Luevano Goes to Supreme Court

Courtesy of Conservative Daily News

     

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