Budgeting Differences Begin to Emerge

Governor Martinez

Santa Fe New Mexican - Judging by their budget proposals, Gov. Susana Martinez and the Legislature agree on a lot of things. But spending on the state's prisons and the Environment Department aren't among them. Neither is the state's controversial film-tax credit program. Martinez on Monday announced that she would save $25 million by trimming the controversial subsidy to film companies that former Gov. Bill Richardson touted as a job-generating program. The Legislature's plan doesn't contemplate the film-tax credit program. Those differences in the two budget proposals showcase potential fights during this year's 60-day legislative session.

Both plans will compete for votes as Martinez and state lawmakers work to close the gap between New Mexico's revenues and expenses. On Monday, Martinez sounded as if she were contemplating her first veto at the mention of the Legislature's recommendation to cut the state's corrections agency by nearly $11 million, taking it to $251 million in funding from more than $262 million. Such a deep cut to the corrections agency likely would lead to the "early release of prisoners," Martinez said Monday, explaining why she opposes the recommendation. Meanwhile, Martinez wants to trim the New Mexico Environment Department by $3 million, which would take that agency from $14.2 million to $11.2 million in funding, a sizable difference from the Legislature's recommended cut of $800,000. Read more here:

Budgeting Differences Begin to Emerge

The Great Film Debate in NM

Capitol Report New Mexico - The Great New Mexico Film Debate proved to be box office boffo Tuesday (Jan. 11) as more than 300 people squeezed into the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque while another 96 sat and watched the debate in an overflow room and more than 100 others were turned away due to lack of space. The debate centered on the state’s film subsidy which lures Hollywood moviemakers to New Mexico by providing a 25 percent tax subsidy to producers. Two state lawmakers — Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R-Sandia Park) and Rep. Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) argued the film program has brought in more than a billion dollars in qualfied spending and has been – in the words of Beffort — “the gold standard” among state film programs across the country. Two other lawmakers — Rep. Dennis Kintigh (R-Roswell) and Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones – argued the subsidy costs taxpayers $65 million last year and should be capped or eliminated. Read full story here:

The Great Film Debate in NM

U.S. Heading for Another Gas Crunch?

Washington Times - With gasoline prices at unusually high levels for this time of year, a report from a presidential commission Tuesday did little to break the political deadlock over offshore drilling, prompting some observers to warn that the U.S. is headed toward another gas-price crunch this summer. The nationwide average price of regular gas over the weekend rose to $3.08 a gallon while crude-oil prices have surged to more than $90 a barrel — levels seen in only one previous winter, in 2007-08. Gasoline prices then ran up dramatically in the 2008 spring-summer driving season and reached an all-time high of more than $4, prompting public outrage and demands that the government open offshore drilling for the first time in 30 years. Read full story here:

U.S. Heading for Another Gas Crunch?

China Would "Welcome" U.S. Statement on Dollar Asset Holdings Held by Chinese

Hu Jintao

Bloomberg - China said it would “welcome” a positive statement from the U.S. on the stability of Chinese- held dollar assets during next week’s summit in Washington between President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama. “If the U.S. makes a positive statement on this issue we surely will welcome that,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said in response to a question at a press briefing today in Beijing. “China follows very closely the economic health of the United States and vice versa.”

China is the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities, with $906.8 billion at the end of October, according to U.S. figures. China’s sovereign wealth fund also invests in U.S. companies and assets and a growing number of Chinese people own U.S. real estate. Read full story here:

China Would "Welcome" U.S. Statement on Dollar Asset Holdings Held by Chinese

Obama " We Have No Stronger Ally Than France"

From hotair.com -I have to blog it, as stories about The One rudely snubbing the Brits have practically become a staple on righty blogs. Readers love ‘em, I think, partly because they’re seen as evidence of his disrespect for American traditions and partly because, when it comes to Britain, his toolishness manifests itself in ways cloddish and comical.  But honestly. Is this mindless diplomatic back-patting really something to get mad over?  Barack Obama has declared that France is America’s greatest ally, undermining Britain’s Special Relationship with the U.S  More here

Obama " We Have No Stronger Ally Than France"

Bernie Sanders Uses AZ Shooting as Fundraiser

From weaselzippers.com -Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, today sent out a fundraising email to supporters in which he includes his analysis of the Arizona shootings that ties the tragedy to “right-wing reactionaries.”
“This horrendous act of violence is not some kind of strange aberration for this area where, it appears, threats and acts of violence are part of the political climate,” Sanders said in his letter. “Nobody can honestly express surprise that such a tragedy finally occurred.”  More here 

Bernie Sanders Uses AZ Shooting as Fundraiser

Obama Calls Sheriff Dupnik to Thank Him

Sheriff Dupnik

From gatewaypundit.com -You Just Knew This Was Coming…Obama called the dishonorable Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik today to thank him.This was after the sheriff made a fool of himself by blaming Rush Limbaugh, tea partyers and conservatives for the acts of a crazy man.  The Political Punch reported: President Obama spoke today with Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, families of some of the victims, Rep. Giffords’ Rabbi and two of the heroes that helped in the Arizona tragedy on Saturday. In a phone call this afternoon with Sheriff Dupnik, according to White House spokesman Nicholas Shapiro, the President “thanked him for his department’s efforts to respond to this incident and coordinate with the FBI and Director Mueller on the investigation.”  Additionally the president also spoke with Patricia Maisch and Roger Salzgeber, two of the heroes from the shooting. Of course, the fact that Obama would call and personally thank this sheriff who has been wrong on everything since the tragedy started surprises no one.  Maybe he’ll get Gibbs’ job?

Obama Calls Sheriff Dupnik to Thank Him

Jay Miller: New Year Looks Murky

Jay Miller

Santa Fe New Mexican - We're into another unpredictable year in the world of politics. Gov. Susana Martínez comes almost completely unknown, Her inauguration ceremony was outdoors for the first time since 1975 and away from the current capitol building for the first time in memory. She hosted the first children's inaugural ball ever and that evening held her "bold" inaugural ball. It is the first time anyone around here can remember an inaugural ball with an adjective attached to it, or with an invitation required or with a steep price. Read full column here:

Jay Miller: New Year Looks Murky

Republican Showdown?

Thomas Sowell

Townhall - They say that, in politics, "overnight is a lifetime." In other words, the journey from triumphant hero to discredited scapegoat can be very brief. In the wake of the Republicans' triumphs in last November's elections, great hopes are being held out that Republican control of the House of Representatives can slam the brakes on Barack Obama's march toward a completely government-controlled economy and ruinous deficit spending. The first big step toward that goal could be forcing the Obama administration to cut back on spending, as the price of raising the national debt ceiling, which will be necessary early on in this new Congress, if the federal government is not going to be forced to shut down for lack of money. Read full column:

Republican Showdown?

Austerity Now or Never

Armstrong Williams

Townhall - We are a week and a few days into 2011, but it’s not simply a new year. The end of 2010 marked the passing of the first decade of this new century. It’s only fitting we look back and look for lessons learned. There’s no question this nation and the world were rocked early on. 9/11 caused many to question just what age of man we were truly entering. A new era of fear? An era of power centers shifting to meet this terrorist scourge?

911- Rescuer



In the wake of that horrific day came a simple yet powerful thought - a motivation to prevent another attack on American soil, no matter the cost. Quickly, that mindset spread to other sectors in our government, and our own way of life. Not surprisingly, the U.S. and, indeed the world’s, economy was turned upside down. President Bush and opponents alike were quick to reassure the public. The calming words? “Whatever it takes.” Read full column here:

Austerity Now or Never