Wealthy environmentalists push Democrat Harry Reid to lean-in to green energy

Commentary by Marita Noon - Democrats have decided to lean-in, not back-away, from so-called clean energy. Despite the embarrassing history of government-funded green-energy failures, “wealthy environmentalists are pushing Democrats to take bolder positions on climate change”—and global warming, as an issue, provides the impetus for more green-energy spending.
     The Boston Globe reported on a recent “summit between Washington’s liberal elite and San Francisco’s climate intelligensia” that included “Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, six other senators, and … Al Gore.” The Globe points to new efforts by Democrats to “make global warming a central issue during the midterms.”
     Reid has, according to the Globe, “pledged to allot time to anyone who wants to discuss climate change at party lunches or on the Senate floor.” He needs to keep the ruse alive because he is connected to more than $3 billion in Energy Department green-energy deals that helped him get reelected in 2010—behavior that has earned him the moniker: “one of America’s most corrupt politicians.”
     Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has planned an all-night talkathon on the subject that will take place on Monday, March 10—about which Boxer said: “So many Senators coming together for an all-night session shows our commitment to wake up Congress to the dangers of climate change.” According to a press release from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 28 Senators will be participating—slightly more than one quarter of the Senate.
     Apparently they don’t want to miss out on the $100 million in campaign cash the “wealthy environmentalists” have committed to cooperative candidates—while also “threatening to withhold money from candidates in swing states who support the Keystone oil pipeline.” Read full column
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Sen. Howie Morales earns top spot on primary ballot

Howie Morales
Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City has earned the top spot on the Democratic primary ballot in the race for governor. 
Morales received 29 percent of delegate votes at Saturday's pre-primary nominating convention at Laguna Pueblo. Santa Fe businessman Alan Webber finished with 21 percent, according to unofficial results. Longtime government administrator Lawrence Rael got 20 percent. Attorney General Gary King and Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque didn't get the necessary 20 percent support to earn an automatic spot on the June primary election ballot. 
However, King and Lopez can still get on the ballot by submitting extra signatures on nominating petitions to the secretary of state. 
Candidates will appear on the primary ballot based on their performance, with Morales listed first.
Information from The AP. 


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Gov. approves emergency medication in schools

New Mexico schools will now be able to stock emergency medication to treat students who suffer asthma attacks or allergic reactions. 

Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to sign Senate Bill 75 into law Sunday at the American Lung Association's Albuquerque office. 

The legislation will allow school nurses to administer the medication even to students who don't have a prescription. Supporters say this will help quickly treat children who haven't been diagnosed with a respiratory problem but suffer an asthma attack at school. 

However, those who have asthma often carry their medications.

Information from The AP. 



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Background checks required for first responders

Paramedics and other emergency medical service providers in New Mexico will now be required to go through criminal background checks. 
Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law Saturday a Senate bill that mandates the background checks be done before the state licenses an applicant or renews a license for paramedics or emergency medical technicians. 
Supporters of the measure say large cities already do background screenings for fire departments and ambulance companies. They say, however, it's not enforced in smaller communities and rural areas.
 The background checks take effect July 1.

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