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| Susana Martinez |
Republicans and Democrats Divided on Lizard
SBIC $9 Million in the Red
Lizard Makes National News
Bloomberg - Frustration is swelling among residents and lawmakers in one of the most productive oil and natural gas basins in the nation, and it's all because federal wildlife managers have proposed endangered species protections for a small lizard. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed by environmentalists in recent years seeking to protect hundreds of species. Most get little attention as they work their way through the court system and through the offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The case of the dunes sagebrush lizard is unfolding much differently across southeastern New Mexico and West Texas, where refineries, drilling rigs and pump jacks are as common as skyscrapers in the big city. From Midland, Texas, to Artesia, N.M., hundreds of people have turned out in recent weeks for town hall gatherings, rallies and public meetings to oppose the listing. The latest rally was planned for Thursday night in Roswell. "We're not going to stand idly by and watch the economies of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas be devastated," U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "I think people are just ready to march in the streets. They're ready to say enough is enough. We can't manage the entire country for a single species at a time." Read full story here: New New Mexico
Kirtland AFB security level increased
From KRQE-TV.com - ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Officials at Kirtland Air Force Base say they have increased security because of a directive issued by Air Force headquarters. The announcement made on Sunday means Air Force personnel and civilians entering the base will be subject to increased security screening. The Air Force also asked that anyone on or near the base be on the watch for suspicious activities and report them immediately. Read more
Spring snowstorm sweeps through state
From KOB-TV.com - The first day of May brought with it near freezing temperatures and even snow in some parts of the state. The freak snowstorm dumped inches of snow on the northern part of the state Sunday morning while much of the metro area was hit with bone-chilling temperatures paired with fast-moving winds. KOB Eyewitness News 4's Shar Spalding predicts temperatures to continue to drop throughout most of the state Sunday night and says some residents may wake up to inches of snow Monday morning. As of Sunday around 10 p.m. The New Mexico Department of Transportation had not reported any alarming traffic conditions. Read more
U.S. forces kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan
From NM Politics.net - Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is dead, and the United States has possession of his body. “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that has killed Osama bin Laden,” President Barack Obama said moments ago in an address to the nation. “… Justice has been done.” Obama said a “small team of Americans” carried out the operation earlier today against a compound deep in Pakistan where bin Laden was hiding. The United States first received intelligence about the compound in August, and last week, Obama authorized a strike. Bin Laden was killed during a firefight, and the United States has possession of his body, Obama said. Read more
Martinez signals support for red-light cameras
From the Santa Fe New Mexican.com - Gov. Susana Martinez appears open to allowing red-light cameras at intersections on state roads, a possible shift in New Mexico policy that could affect Santa Fe. Last year, the New Mexico Transportation Commission voted unanimously to prohibit red-light cameras and unmanned enforcement vans on state or federal roads over which the state has jurisdiction. With a change in governors, however, City Councilor Ron Trujillo, a state Transportation Department employee who wants Santa Fe to join Albuquerque in installing such cameras, asked the city's new police chief last week to see if the state's new governor felt differently about the issue. She does. Read more
Gonzales Narrowly Re-elected Dem Party Chairman
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| Javier Gonzales |
Roswell: 750 Rally Hoping Fish and Wildlife Bureaucrats Listen
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| Steve Pearce |
Most of the oil and gas jobs in southeast New Mexico are at risk. Irresponsible, unbalanced overregulation limits the amount of energy produced, which kills jobs, causes severe budget problems in the state, and increases costs to citizens. In this time of high unemployment, we can, and must, do better.” Congressman Pearce has a consistent record of working to find a commonsense approach to conservation efforts. He recently introduced legislation to restore the logging industry after it was nearly destroyed in New Mexico by the listing of the spotted owl. He has also worked to protect farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations that came as a result of listings of the Mexican gray wolf and the delta smelt. Since his time as a state representative, Pearce has worked to ensure that extreme political agendas do not interfere with American jobs and the American way of life.
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| Steve Pearce at Rally in Roswell |
Pearce emphasizes the importance of conservation, but advocates an approach that will protect both jobs and the species. He has supported Candidate Conservation Agreements as an alternative to an endangered species listing. These agreements engage both public and private stakeholders in an effort to protect the species while addressing the needs of all affected parties. By moving to list the lizard as endangered, Fish and Wildlife is completely disregarding the time, work, and expenses already spent by local businesses in acquiescing to these agreements. “It is alarming that Fish and Wildlife seems to have already made their decision while the public comment period remains open,” said Pearce. “My constituents have a legal right to a voice in this matter, without prejudice or bias.”
Immediately after the rally, participants marched together to voice their concerns at the public hearing held by Fish and Wildlife on the listing. While the verbal comment period closes today, constituents are strongly encouraged to write Fish and Wildlife and contact their office to voice their concerns. More information can be found at www.pearce.house.gov.
Cruising on Taxpayer Dime
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