Governor Backs Measure to Require Changes in Statute

Governor Susana Martinez

SANTA FE - Governor Susana Martinez announced today that her administration has completed an overhaul of the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, which now displays the names, titles, and salary rates of all state employees, regardless of their classification. In the past, the Sunshine Portal has only listed information for exempt employees. The portal now includes information for classified employees, who work under the rules and guidelines of the state’s civil service system. In October, Governor Martinez announced that she had directed the Department of Information Technology to make employee information for all state workers available through the Sunshine Portal. Governor Martinez also announced her support for legislation that will be offered in the upcoming legislative session by Sen. Sander Rue (R-Albuquerque) which will require, by law, that the Sunshine Portal post name, title, and salary rate for all state employees regardless of classification. “Listing this important information on the Sunshine Portal will give New Mexicans an even greater idea of how their tax dollars are spent in the operation of state government,” said Governor Martinez. “New Mexico taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going – whether it pays the salary of a civil servant or an appointee. Senator Rue’s legislation will put into law the changes we have made over the last several weeks and guarantee that New Mexicans will continue to be part of the process of their government.”
New Mexico’s Sunshine Portal is a website that displays wide-ranging data for state agency budgets, expenditures, employees, revenue, and purchases, along with a number of informational reports including state investment reports and annual fiscal summaries. This summer, the official version of the Sunshine Portal was unveiled after a 6-month beta mode trial, to include additional functions as developed by constituent feedback. It is administered by the Department of Information Technology (DoIT).

Sander Rue

“The Department of Information Technology has worked hard to implement this important transparency measure,” said DoIT Secretary Darryl Ackley. “As with all of our transparency measures, we encourage feedback to ensure that information is as thorough and accurate as possible.”

“The Sunshine Portal is a great tool that promotes and encourages open and honest government,” added Sen. Rue. “Governor Martinez’s direction to include information for all state employees on the portal is a victory for government transparency. By putting these measures into law, we are ensuring that future generations of New Mexicans will have a much clearer idea of how their tax dollars are used.”

Governor Backs Measure to Require Changes in Statute

Ben Ray Lujan: Taxing the Rich is the Key

Ben Ray Lujan

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District voted against legislation to extend the payroll tax cut yesterday. Lujan characterized the bill as one that would require more sacrifices from middle-class families and seniors. In a news release on his website he said the bill protects the interests of millionaires and billionaires while including provisions that have already been declared dead on arrival by the Senate and rejected by the President – threatening final passage of tax cuts for 160 million Americans.
Representative Martin Heinrich also voted against the bill that would extend the payroll tax cut. He posted no statement regarding his vote on his website.

Ben Ray Lujan: Taxing the Rich is the Key

SpaceShipOne Could Be Big News for Spaceport

(KRWG) News that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan are building the world's biggest plane to help launch cargo and astronauts into space has New Mexico officials excited. Allen and Rutan announced their plans Tuesday, saying the new craft would keep America at the forefront of space exploration. The two men also collaborated on SpaceShipOne, which was the basis for the craft that will be used by Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. The company has nearly 500 people signed up and ready to fly. Read full story here: News New Mexico

SpaceShipOne Could Be Big News for Spaceport

Are Higher Ed Mission Statements Mere Window Dressing in New Mexico?

Paul Gessing

(Albuquerque) Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently made headlines around the country when he argued that institutes of higher education in his state of Florida should prioritize funding for the study of science and technology in the his state’s institutes of higher education. Said Scott, “If I’m going to take money from a citizen to put into education then I’m going to take money to create jobs…so I want the money to go to a degree where people can get jobs in this state. Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don’t think so.” One may agree or disagree with Scott’s statement, but prioritization of limited resources is essential. In order to better understand how those resources should be allocated in higher education in New Mexico, the Rio Grande Foundation undertook an effort to survey members of the boards of regents of the state’s six public senior universities on their views of their schools’ mission statements. Unfortunately, poor returns – only 26.7% of the regents responded – seem to indicate that many of the people responsible for leading these institutes do not take their mission statements seriously. Read full column here: News New Mexico

Are Higher Ed Mission Statements Mere Window Dressing in New Mexico?

Zia Station Never Used by Railrunner

SANTA FE (KRQE) — It's rush hour Tuesday morning in Santa Fe, and like clockwork, the northbound Rail Runner Express is chugging up St. Francis Drive. The train slows but rolls right on through Zia Station at the intersection of Zia Road and St. Francis Drive. It's not missing anyone. The only passengers here are tumbleweeds sitting inside of a fence that wraps around the station's base. The Rail Runner has stopped thousands of times at Santa Fe's three other stations, but it has never stopped at Zia Station since the platform was built in 2008. "It was a different station," said Santa Fe City Council member Rebecca Wurzburger. "It was different from the beginning." One of the biggest differences has to do with the land around the station. Although the state owns the platform itself, the land behind the station is privately owned. "To get to [the station] for any sort of parking facility, you have to cross private property, our property," said Merritt Brown with developer SF Brown. "I think that's where the gray area began." Read full story here: News New Mexico

Zia Station Never Used by Railrunner

"ACLU" Sues Wisconsin Over Voter-ID Law

Pulaski note: Another political coincidence that Eric Holder just announced his war on voter-id laws yesterday?  From reuters.com - The American Civil Liberties Union sued the state of Wisconsin on Tuesday over its law that will require voters to present official identification, claiming it is unconstitutional and will deprive citizens of their right to vote.The federal complaint seeks to block the voter ID law, which takes effect on February 21, 2012 for Wisconsin's spring primary elections. It requires voters to present identification, such as a driver's license or a passport, to cast ballots in federal, state and local elections.  More News New Mexico

"ACLU" Sues Wisconsin Over Voter-ID Law

Former Governor Carruthers Back on NewsNM

Dr. Garrey Carruthers

Former New Mexico Governor Dr. Garrey Carruthers will appear as a guest on News New Mexico at 7:30am this morning. Carruthers currently serves as Dean of the College of Business at New Mexico State University. He has one of the most impressive resumes of any guest to appear on our show. Carruthers was Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1974 to 1975, Director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at New Mexico State University, State Chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico from 1977 to 1979, Assistant Secretary of Interior for Land and Resources from 1981 to 1984, the 27th Governor of New Mexico from 1987 to 1991, and was President and CEO of the Cimarron Health Plan from 1993 to 2003. Carruthers has a Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University. Always an engaging speaker with a great sense of humor, we will get Carruthers' take on the fast approaching 30 day legislative session in Santa Fe and the first year of Governor Susana Martinez.

Former Governor Carruthers Back on NewsNM

Pearce: Favors Middle Class Tax Relief, Job Creation

Yesterday, Congressman Steve Pearce voted in favor of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, which includes the Keystone Pipeline project and payroll tax relief.

Steve Pearce

"As I have continually said, job growth is the only solution to our current economic crisis," said Pearce. "The Keystone Pipeline project alone would create about 20,000 jobs immediately. Additionally, by preventing tax increases to America's middle class, we enable this group of job creators to grow their businesses, hire additional workers, and spur economic growth. Washington cannot continue down the path of destruction by overtaxing hard working Americans."

This legislation extends temporary payroll tax relief and provides tax relief for businesses. The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, which passed the House of Representatives today, also includes an extension to unemployment insurance and focuses on job growth as a solution to the national economic crisis.

Pearce: Favors Middle Class Tax Relief, Job Creation

GOP Angered Over Senator Cravens Replacement Claiming She is NOT Political and "Independent"

Lisa Curtis

New Mexico’s Republican Party is still steamed over the decision by Democrats to appoint Albuquerque trial lawyer Lisa Curtis to the Senate seat vacated by Senator Kent Cravens. They are accusing her of already trying to spin her way to re-election before being confirmed for her appointed position. Curtis, the President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, is claiming to be an independent who will put the needs of her district first. You can read the full article here: News New Mexico The GOP says Curtis words in an interview attempt to have her come across as moderate and non-partisan while previous public statements have been a clear indication that she is on the extreme left wing of the Democrat Party. At a Bernalillo County Commission meeting, Curtis stated:
• She supports continuing to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
• She supports the policy of social promotion where children are passed from one grade to the next, even when they haven't mastered the basics.
• She opposes requiring voters to show a photo ID in order to vote.

“If Ms Curtis is sincere about wanting to represent the views of her district, she will reverse her positions on these and other issues. Ms. Curtis might be a skilled trial lawyer, but her rhetoric won't be able to hide the fact that she is out-of-touch with everyday New Mexicans,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Executive Director Bryan Watkins.

GOP Angered Over Senator Cravens Replacement Claiming She is NOT Political and "Independent"

Governor Martinez in Otero County Today

Susana Martinez

Governor Susana Martinez will make multiple appearances in the Tularosa Basin today. At noon Martinez will speak to the Tularosa and Alamogordo Rotary Clubs. At 1:30pm the Governor will tour Holloman Air Force Base followed by a visit to White Sands Missle Range later in the afternoon. The Governor will be joined by Representative Yvette Herrell of Otero County. For security reasons the tours of both military installations will be closed to the media.

Governor Martinez in Otero County Today