News New Mexico

Martinez Beats Unions in Court

The labor unions took it on the chin in court over an appointment by Governor Susana Martinez. Roger Bartosiewicz was the governor's nominee to the Public Employee Labor Relations Board, but labor union activists sued.

State District Court Judge Nan Nash denied a request today from the state labor federation and several unions to remove Bartosiewicz from the board. Bartosiewicz was recommended by the Clovis Police Officers’ Association a labor organization, but not the labor organization the union activist's bosses preferred.

Mayor Berry: NOT one of Duke City's Top Earners

Richard Berry

NM Business Weekly - The city of Albuquerque has released a list of the highest paid employees in city government for 2011. The highest paid employee is Edward A. Adams in the Municipal Development Department, who earned $144,773.20 last year. Robert Perry, chief administrative officer, is second at $143,355.29, followed by Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz at $138,063.20. At the No. 4 slot is Albuquerque Fire Department Chief James Breen at $123,450.08. Laura Breen, director of the City Council, is No. 5, with an annual salary of $121,066.31. At No. 250 is Todd Hudson, an APD lieutenant, with a salary of $81,572.46. The list of the top 250 earners is online. Mayor Richard J. Berry has asked city leaders to make this information available as part of his efforts to make government more accountable, according to a news release. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Sanchez Press Release

Statement by Lt. Gov. John Sanchez on his Campaign for U.S. Senate
Eight months ago, our campaign for the U.S. Senate began with one clear objective: to give New Mexicans the opportunity to send conservative leadership to Washington D.C. The timing on this race was not ideal nor did we choose it. But the need for a conservative leader from New Mexico is real.

John Sanchez

Throughout the course of this campaign, it has become clear to me, that in order to ensure that a Republican is elected to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate, the G.O.P must stand united. A bitter and divisive Republican Primary would only diminish our party’s genuine opportunity to bring real change in Washington. The reality is that the path forward to success in the campaign could cause a negative primary struggle that would leave the eventual nominee bruised, bloody and broke.

After much prayer, counsel with my family, and discussions with supporters, I have decided to end my campaign for the U.S. Senate, and continue to serve New Mexico as your Lt. Governor.

I want to express my sincere thanks to those New Mexicans who joined our campaign. I am forever grateful for the support we received from grassroots leaders, tea party patriots, business owners, GOP activists and everyday citizens. They offered their efforts and their dollars and it meant the world to me. This was not my time, but I will never forget their friendship.

I am redirecting myself today to helping our party advance the strongest slate of candidates to victory in November, from the Roundhouse to the White House.

I hope that you will join me in working with Governor Martinez, and all conservatives to complete the important work that we have begun in New Mexico.

May God Bless and Keep You, and may God Bless America and New Mexico.

John Sanchez Makes it Official

John Sanchez

EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS - New Mexico Lt. Governor John Sanchez will withdraw from the race for the GOP nomination for the United States Senate seat held by Jeff Bingaman at 11:00am today. This decision, which was widely expected by the press, paves the way for a two candidate primary contest between former U.S. Representative Heather Wilson and Las Cruces businessman Greg Sowards.

The Lt. Governor will appear on the statewide News New Mexico radio network to discuss his decision at 7:00am Friday morning.

Bill on Repeal of Driver's License Law Passes House

Our listener and reader feedback on the House Bill # 103 vote was huge. Most people wanted to know how their representatives voted on the bill that will shut down crime rings operating in the state that are taking advantage of the most lax driver's license issuance rules in the nation.
Poll after poll has shown that New Mexicans are overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of issuing driver's licenses to foreign nationals who are here illegally. You can click here to see the final vote. No House Republican voted against repealing the existing law and several Democrats joined the majority. Below is a list of all house members who declined to support the repeal of the driver's license issuance law:

Miguel Garcia, Antonio Lujan, Tomas Garcia, Ben Lujan, Edward Sandoval, Richard Gonzales, Roger Madalena, Sheryl Stapleton, Moe Maestas, Mimi Stewart, Joanie Gutierrez, Richard Martinez, Gail Chasey, Ken Martinez, Mary Helen Garcia, Eleanor Chavez, Rick Miera, Jim Trujillo, Ernest Chavez, Bill O'Neill, Lucky Varela, Richard Vigil, Danice Picraux, and Brian Egolf.

Obama Stiffs ONLY New Mexico on No Child Waiver

President Obama freed 10 different states from the absurd requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, enabling states to use better solutions to improve education. Oklahoma, Tennnessee, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey were all set free.

Only New Mexico was denied its freedom. Some observers believe that the Obama administration is trying to assist partisan state Democrats who want to hamstring the increasing popularity of Governor Susana Martinez through stifling federal control. No explanation was given as to why New Mexico was singled out by Obama's education bureaucracy for denial.

Senate Panel Kills Bill to Prevent Spaceport Lawsuits

From elpasotimes.com - Senate panel today killed a bill to prevent New Mexico space travelers from suing in most cases of negligence. The proposal failed in the Judiciary Committee on a 6-5 vote. Democrats said the bill went too far in eroding the rights of consumers. The measure would have prevented passengers or their families from suing manufacturers of parts and equipment used in space flights. Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, sponsored the bill on behalf of Spaceport America and businesses interested in New Mexico's space industry. Papen said the vote was a disappointment and a setback for the $209 million Spaceport in Sierra County. "I think it will have a slowdown" because of a lack of legal protection for suppliers, Papen said. Sen. Lisa Curtis, D-Albuquerque, voted against special protections for the space industry. Curtis, a trial attorney, said the bill was flawed. A company's negligence could kill a six passengers on a space flight, but the business would have no liability under the bill, she said. Curtis said New Mexico's stand for consumer protection actually would attract more passengers. Other states - including Texas, Virginia and Florida - have approved laws to protect companies from lawsuits in cases of space travel. More News New Mexico

Bader-Ginsburg "Would Not Look to the Constitution"

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Fox News - As Egyptian officials prepare to send to trial 19 American democracy and rights workers, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg visited Cairo last week where she suggested Egyptian revolutionaries not use the U.S. Constitution as a model in the post-Arab Spring.

"I would not look to the U.S. Constitution, if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012," Ginsburg said in an interview on Al Hayat television last Wednesday. "I might look at the constitution of South Africa. That was a deliberate attempt to have a fundamental instrument of government that embraced basic human rights, have an independent judiciary. It really is, I think, a great piece of work that was done."
As Egypt prepares to write a new constitution, Ginsburg, who was traveling during the court's break to speak with legislators and judges in Egypt as well as Tunisia, spoke to students at Cairo University, encouraging them to enjoy the opportunity to participate in the "exceptional transitional period to a real democratic state." Read the rest of this story and watch the video here: News New Mexico

Courtesy of Conservativedailynews.com

janice2012.us

PRC reform may hit snag in Senate

From NM Politics.net - by Gwyneth Doland - Measures aimed at reforming the Public Regulation Commission passed unanimously in the state House last week, but they might not have such a smooth passage through the Senate. “We’re delighted that momentum continues to gather behind this legislation, with groups from the Association of Commerce and Industry to the Young Democrats supporting it, but now we have to navigate the more turbulent waters of the Senate,” said the primary advocate for the proposals, Fred Nathan of the nonpartisan think tank Think New Mexico. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, told NMPolitics.net he has concerns about the proposals, which would ask voters whether to amend the N.M. Constitution to require increased qualifications for commissioners (HJR 11), move corporation responsibilities to the Secretary of State’s Office (HJR 16) and create an independent superintendent of insurance (HJR 17). The three joint resolutions need only Senate approval to be put on the ballot this November. But Sanchez alone controls the Senate floor calendar. “I think we have to look at this more carefully than in a 30-day session,” Sanchez said. “We need to take a very careful look.” Read more

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