John Block

MLG signs anti-science trapping ban bill despite 19K+ New Mexicans opposing the measure

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed 50 bills into law, many of them negatively affecting the state financially and in practice. One such bill was S.B. 23 by Sen. Bobby Gonzales (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos), banning trapping on public lands.

The bill squeaked by its last chamber, with the House of Representatives narrowly passing the measure by a vote of 35-34. During this session, many rural residents and wildlife conservation officers say trapping remains critical for managing wildlife and protecting livestock. 

The bill, which many Republicans and Democrats vehemently oppose, has garnered formidable opposition, with one Change.org petition named “Support science-based wildlife management,” gaining over 19,000 names of those opposed to the bill.

“This bill is not based on science, data or wildlife [biologists’] input.  It is not based on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the Public Trust Doctrine, which define fish and wildlife resources as the property of the people to be managed by the state and federal agencies entrusted with their stewardship.  This model should be used as the foundation of science-based fish and wildlife management and hunting, fishing and trapping are appropriate management tools,” reads a portion of the petition. 

Despite the vast opposition to the bill by wildlife experts and everyday New Mexicans, Lujan Grisham signed the extreme bill into law, signaling “an unbalance and sets a precedent for what could end up listing many animals as endangered or threatened in the future,” according to the petition organizers.

The signing and passage of the bill come with little to no public or scientific involvement in its fast-track to the Governor’s desk, and the massive bipartisan opposition to the bill indicates just how corrosive it is.

The disgraced fringe eco-left group “WildEarth Guardians” celebrated the bill’s signing, writing on Twitter, “Woo-hoo! Minutes ago, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law a bill banning traps, snares, and poisons on public lands across New Mexico. Join us in celebrating this huge milestone for #wildlife and #publiclands.”

The Governor also signed multiple other bills into law, such as a bill banning “hair discrimination” regarding cultural hairstyles and headdresses, a bill dumping vast amounts of mostly unregulated money into failing public schools, a bill forcing New Mexico public schools to “develop programs and curricula to teach Black history and culture,” and a bill promoting the use of solar power.

The Governor also signed S.B. 112, a radical environmental bill sponsored by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo), which moves $100,000 from the General Fund to form a “Sustainable Economy Task Force” tasked with “developing an annually updated strategic plan to transition the state economy away from reliance on natural resource extraction.” Leftist “Republican” Rep. Kelly Fajardo (Valencia) was the only Republican in either chamber to vote in favor of the extreme eco-left bill, which is corrosive to the oil and gas industry. Fringe groups celebrated the newly created commission to destroy the oil and gas industry in New Mexico:

The Governor has yet to sign many other more extreme bills into law, but she is allowed 20 days since the Legislature delivered the bills to her to sign them into law, or else they are considered “pocket vetoed.”

MLG has photo-op at Los Alamos school after finally lifting one-year ban on in-person learning

1 Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

After closing public K-12 schools in the state of New Mexico for over an entire year to supposedly “mitigate the risk of community spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s ban on in-person learning left countless children without schooling and crippling relapses for many students. In many instances, children in rural areas could not access their “virtual” classrooms due to the lack of technology or wireless connection to the internet. 

The damage the Governor’s lockdown caused was much more painful than merely the year of education many children lost altogether. Hundreds of children in New Mexico took their own lives in 2020 and early 2021, with New Mexico ranking the second-worst state for suicides. As for teen suicides, New Mexico ranked as the fifth-highest state nationwide in 2020. In July 2020, New Mexico hit a boiling point as the state with the highest rate of suicide in the nation, with the rate for children ages 4-15 increasing by 88%.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that around 12,000 “missing” children were going without instruction at all during the pandemic. 

A mere month before the end of the school year, the late reopening of schools has been met with opposition by radical science-denying teachers’ unions. Some even claimed going back to school is still unsafe despite vaccines readily available and CDC guidelines updated. 

Far-left state Rep. G. Andrés Romero, a teacher at Atrisco High School in Albuquerque, said he “worried that switching from remote learning to a hybrid model could be an added stress on teachers and students who already strained. He urged caution to districts considering the option,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Now, as schools are opening back up, Gov. Lujan Grisham is trying to capitalize as much as she possibly can, trying to portray herself as a hero for reopening the schools despite the countless New Mexico students who have been affected adversely by her strict and arguably cruel lockdown. 

She posted a photo of her visiting a sparsely-attended playground photo-op at Aspen Elementary School in Los Alamos, writing, “I was glad to have the opportunity to visit Aspen Elementary School in Los Alamos this morning, where students and staff were excited to see each other and to be back in the classroom. I look forward to a continued successful and safe re-entry to in-person learning statewide.”

On Sunday, the Governor shared a video made by teachers at Lew Wallace Elementary school in Albuquerque, writing, “Students & educators across the state are excited to be going back to the classroom this week & safely resuming in-person learning. The teachers & staff at Lew Wallace Elementary can’t wait to see their students again – check out this amazing video they made welcoming them back!” 

The tweets come as Lujan Grisham appears to be trying to move public perception away from her strict lockdown and to her reopening of schools. However, New Mexicans will likely not forget her stringent lockdowns, which have cost the lives of multiple children and irreparably harmed the state’s teachers, parents, and youth for years to come. 

Dem county official blasted for saying people are being shot because of ‘the shape of their face’

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

During the closing remarks at Thursday’s Sandoval County Commission meeting, first-term Democrat Commissioner Katherine A. Bruch of the First District made eyebrow-raising comments regarding mass shootings, claiming recent uses of guns to kill can be attributed to the “color” of peoples’ skin and “the shape of their face.” 

Across the country, the media has been fixated on crimes involving Asian American and Pacific Islanders after a gunman in Atlanta, Georgia shot up multiple massage parlors where he killed eight people, including people of multiple races. It has been surmised that the shootings were tied to sex addiction, not racial hatred.

Bruch said during the meeting, “This has kinda been a hard week in many ways with more mass shootings and even longer than that, with certain communities being assaulted more directly and I know I have some family members that fall into some categories that are more visible for whatever reason and I am just very saddened that we are having these individuals that are—for whatever reason—going out and shooting or assaulting people because of the color of their skin and the shape of their face.” 

“So, I just want you all to remember them in your thoughts and prayers, and then let’s get to work and let’s do something more effective than thinking about them by getting serious about helping with mental health, making sure that we provide the correct training and tools for our law enforcement, and that we are regulating the possession of weapons by those who have no business owning them,” she concluded. 

Second-term Republican Commissioner Jay Block of the Second District chimed in on the conversation after Bruch’s assessment regarding the need for more gun bans amid shootings. He took exception to her comments regarding face shape because he has children who are interracial. 

He said, “I am not sure what the ‘shape of their face’ means. We all have different shapes of faces unless you’re talking about my kids who are interracial. I don’t know. I would maybe change those words a little bit.” 

This is just the latest racially questionable comment made by a Democrat politician in recent weeks after Democrat nominee for Congress, state Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-Bernalillo) said that displaced Navajo workers who would be losing their good-paying jobs “can sell their art or their wool” instead, insinuating that Native American workers can somehow shift focus in their job prospects to another field that Stansbury stereotypically decided was arts and crafts. 

An Easter Sunday reflection on Gov. Lujan Grisham’s hostility toward people of faith

3 Comments / New Mexico, News, Opinion, Politics / By

Today is Easter Sunday, and although the strict COVID-19 restrictions from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have been slightly amended, New Mexico remains one of the six states on “advisory” status, one of the few with mandatory mask mandates, and some businesses still shuttered.

On Holy Saturday 2020, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made a proclamation that all in-person Easter church services of five or greater were banned, effectively stopping New Mexicans from attending church on Easter Sunday. 

She said she wanted to make “absolutely clear that mass gatherings of any type are not permitted in houses of worship.” She continued, “We know that you want to practice your faith, as you should. But this year we must remember that home is holy. The best thing you can do for your community is to stay there.”

Gov. Lujan Grisham had completely shuttered church services on a state level, however, abortion clinics were allowed to stay wide open, despite health concerns.

Then, on Easter, the Governor made a “proclamation” from the Governor’s mansion, writing on Twitter, “This Easter, home is the holy place. I expect all New Mexicans to stay safe by staying home to celebrate, not gathering with friends and family. Together, we will have a safe and happy Easter – by staying apart. BUT tell the kids not to worry: the Easter Bunny is essential!” 

She “expected” New Mexicans to just throw their faith out the door to comply with her mandates. Throughout the lockdowns, the Governor’s religious persecution continued.

Then in May, on Mother’s Day, Gov. Lujan Grisham sent out her State Police to serve a cease and desist order to Truth or Consequences pastor, Dr. Caleb Cooper.

“Here’s a notice that we need to get through, and it’s a cease and desist order,” said the officer serving the order. When Cooper asked why he was being served the order, the officer responded, “for violating the public health order,” citing the May 2nd church service held at the church.

Pastor Jeff Carr of Mesa Baptist Church in Rio Rancho was told by the Governor’s Office that while in-person services were prohibited, he could still hold “online services, drive-in services where people remain in the car with their windows rolled up… or listen to a radio service, honk their horns for ‘Amen!’ and so on.”

But others fought back, such as Legacy Church in Albuquerque which sued the state and remained under scrutiny by the Governor and the liberal media for living out their faith through fellowship in their church.

Las Cruces Bishop Peter Baldacchin instructed his diocese that “While it is true that we need to take every reasonable precaution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, it is equally true that we offer the greatest ‘essential service’ to our people. The past few weeks have brought to light many unintended consequences of the ‘stay-at-home’ order.” 

This Easter, the struggles still remain, with the Faithful being instructed by the Governor to “celebrate safely” and important traditions such as the pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó are being prohibited. But people of faith are not backing down, and should never forget Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s hostility toward them. New Mexico is a state founded upon faith and its people have proven they will not take kindly to persecution.

NM House GOP Whip rips Dem state Rep. Stansbury’s anti-Navajo racism in fiery letter

4 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

Last week, Republican House Whip Rod Montoya (R-San Juan) ripped into Democrats for their use of victimization to shut down debate during this past legislative session, using terms like “marginalized peoples,” “institutional racism,” and “implicit bias” to silence opposition to their extremist bills.

In the letter, Montoya said, the divisiveness from Democrats has hit “obscene” levels. He said, “Acts of violent racism must be dealt with, however, each time racism is used as a catch phrase, it undermines the gravity and legitimacy of real victims of racist acts.” 

“Not only has this tactic been used to chill debate, it has been used to justify advancement of policies that are harmful to minority communities. It is infuriating to hear legislators say that Navajo coal miners who make $80,000 a year are somehow better off without a job because it slows climate change. To further call them victims of systemic racism, while they stand in unemployment lines, is nothing more than gaslighting,” wrote Montoya.

He made sure to focus on Rep. Stansbury’s racist comment toward Navajos, writing, “If this were not bad enough, absolutely zero attention was paid to the racially insensitive comments made by Representative Stansbury. When she was asked how these Navajo workers were going to replace their high paying jobs, she flippantly said ‘they can sell their art or their wool.’”

“Why were these comments not plastered all over social media or in local news? I can only surmise that her comments were ignored because she is a ‘well-meaning,’ white, progressive Democrat who is running for Congress.”

Montoya added, “Her comments, and many others for that matter, speak volumes to the condescending and paternalistic racism that has invaded the Democrat Party. If she were a Republican, demands would have been made for an immediate apology for her comments and she would have been asked to resign.” 

Montoya noted how “incredibly insulting” it is for “elitists” to think minorities are incapable of survival without their aid. “As a Hispanic who is married to a Native American, and having raised four children in New Mexico, I maintain that our successes and failures are our own, even when progressives pass laws that kill jobs and disincentivize hard work and success. It is the very essence of racism to pass laws that undermine self-sufficiency,” he wrote.

Montoya also touched on the use of gender to create division in the Roundhouse, particularly regarding Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, who claimed she was being attacked by a male Democrat colleague for asking her basic questions about her bill. 

“I thought that being a victim was directly related to a lack of power. Senator Stewart is not a powerless victim in this legislative body,” wrote Montoya, noting how “she determines all committee assignments, as well as every chairmanship.” 

“Progressives have crossed the Rubicon of using patronizing language, and unfortunately too many people now believe their future is in someone else’s hands,” he wrote. “If progressive Democrats are determined to continue this demeaning and dangerous tactic, we should perhaps change the words of our New Mexico pledge of allegiance to reflect, ‘… perfect disunity among divided cultures.’ I, however, have another idea. Traditional New Mexicans need to take back our state from outside influences that divide us over every tiny difference, and instead find common ground despite our differences. I think this new concept is called tolerance,” concluded Montoya.

The letter comes after one of the most divisive and corrosive legislative sessions in modern New Mexico history, with Democrats ramming through bills with little to no debate. If debate was, in fact, afforded, Democrats shut down the public from speaking and accused fellow members of racism and sexism at every other turn. 

During the legislative session and the subsequent Governor-commissioned special session, Democrats rammed through abortion up-to-birth and infanticide, assisted suicide via lethal drug “cocktails,” tax hikes, recreational weed legalization, raiding of the Permanent Fund to fund taxpayer-funded “free” daycare, mandates on small businesses to provide unaffordable benefits, a bill that will line civil litigation attorneys’ pockets and bankrupt local communities, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who is a far-left Democrat from Bernalillo County, has been chosen as the Democrats’ nominee for Congress despite her racist statements toward Navajos. 

MLG’s Oil Conservation Commission passes new extreme regulations on the oil and gas industry

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, the three-member New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission voted unanimously on new rules that will severely handicap the oil and gas industry in regards to emission standards due to venting and flaring, according to a report from Bloomberg News.

Gas producing plants, oil companies, and pipeline operators will have until 2026 to reduce their gas emissions to 2% of production. “The two counties that make up the New Mexico part of the Permian have seen flaring and venting soar as drillers move past legacy acreage in Texas to the newer — and gassier — Delaware sub-basin,” reports Bloomberg. 

According to the report, the rules are a “compromise” between regulators, industry, and environmentalists to curb methane emissions. The Commission’s vote on Thursday follows two years of debate and two weeks of public comment in January. The new rules are expected to go into effect in May.

The commissioners include Adrienne Sandoval of the Conservation Division, who serves as the chair, Dr. Thomas Engler of New Mexico Tech, and Greg Bloom, Assistant Commissioner for Mineral Resources at the New Mexico State Land Office. 

According to a spokesman for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, which has stayed neutral on many job-killing anti-energy bills said, “We will strive for full compliance with the final rule, and we commend this commission for undertaking a collaborative approach throughout this two-year process.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department secretary Sarah Propst claimed the new rule, “creates a level playing field for the industry.” She also said, “Some companies are already investing in that takeaway capacity upfront and doing everything right while others maybe aren’t because they didn’t have to before.”

These new rules will heavily impact drilling and production on federal lands. According to radical leftist environmental group Environmental Defense Fund’s Daniel Grossman, “The Trump administration rolled back strong regulations.” He said, “But now with the Biden administration, that’s probably something that the Department of the Interior will address with the new leadership of [Interior] Secretary Deb Haaland, who is from New Mexico and understands the issue better than most.”

Haaland is an extremist when it comes to oil and gas, favoring a complete ban on fracking, which produces clean natural gas and fuels New Mexico’s economy. The Governor’s commission and its new ruling makes it clear that the oil and gas industry, which produces nearly 40% of revenues for the state budget, is in danger of extinction if Lujan Grisham gets her way.

A walk of faith is not a ‘super spreader,’ despite what the Archdiocese of Santa Fe says

2 Comments / Editorial / By

This year, just as last year, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe bowed down to calls from the far-left demanding the cancellation of everything from church service to outdoor walks of faith, meant to be a pilgrimage–a sacrifice–to honor Jesus Christ’s ultimate payment for our sins on the Cross. Of course, they demanded these cancellations due to “COVID-19.”

In typical fashion, per usual with the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe, which unfortunately remains mostly limp and actionless in the face of true struggle (such as fights against abortion and assisted suicide), decided to cancel the annual pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó–“no doubt the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States,” described as the “Lourdes of America.”

“Since the pandemic is still with us and we do not want to invite the spread of the Coronavirus via super spreader event like a pilgrimage with tens of thousands of people, the El Santuario de Chimayó will be closed on Good Friday,” the church wrote on its Facebook page. “We are sorry that it has to be this way, but we’re hoping next year will allow for a return to the beloved pilgrimage as in the past.”

Not only did the church forbid visiting the sacred site itself, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe “strongly discouraged” people from even walking to El Santuario de Chimayó and a similar trek to Tome Hill Park in Los Lunas

El Santuario de Chimayó is a venerable place of worship for centuries, with incredible stories of faith bringing forth healing. According to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, “El Santuario has been a place of worship from the beginning – a place to pray, to thank, to ask, to meditate and to experience peace of mind as well as of body.” 

Here is an excerpt from the history of the church, per the Archdiocese:

One tradition recalls that during Holy Week on the night of Good Friday, Don Bernardo Abeyta, who was a member in good standing of the Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jes6s el Nazareno (Penitentes) was performing the customary penances of the Society around the hills of El Potrero. Suddenly he saw a light springing from one of the slopes of the hills near the Santa Cruz River. Don Bernardo went to the spot and noticed that the shining light was coming from the ground. He started to dig with his bare hands, and there he found a Crucifix. He left it there and called the neighbors to come and venerate the precious finding. A group of men was sent to notify the priest, Fr. Sebastian Alvarez at Santa Cruz.

Upon hearing the extraordinary news, the priest and people set out for Chimayo. When they arrived at the place where the Crucifix was, Fr. Sebastian picked it up and carried it in a joyful procession back to the church. Once in the church, the Crucifix was placed in the niche of the main altar. The next morning, the Crucifix was gone, only to be found in its original location. A second procession was organized and the Crucifix was returned to Santa Cruz, but once again it disappeared, The same thing happened a third time. By then, everyone understood that El Sefior de Esquipulas wanted to remain in Chimayo, and so a small chapel was built.

So, if such spiritual healing and miracles have taken place here at El Santuario de Chimayó, then why now cower in fear, in a time when such miraculous healing and prayer by the Faithful are needed now more than ever? Especially pilgrimages which are done OUTSIDE IN THE FRESH AIR--the absolute safest place to be during a pandemic.

Despite the church being shuttered by the Archdiocese, New Mexicans searching for healing made and are making the journey to El Santuario De Chimayó anyway, many searching for healing. 

Danielle Lovato, who was interviewed with her husband by the Santa Fe New Mexican says, “I decided that in order for me to get through this journey in this chapter in my life that I need to get my faith as strong as it can be.” She continued, “And I did one treatment, and before that one treatment we walked from the exact same place — and my treatment went well.” 

“Lovato and her husband walked again Wednesday, the day before her second chemotherapy appointment. She said after a four-hour treatment Thursday she felt great and was able to play with her son, crediting it to her strong relationship with God,” reports the New Mexican. 

“I believe it’s the perfect time for people to reflect on God and how great [He] is,” said Lovato. “This pandemic was very scary, and here we are a year later and it’s all thanks be to God.”

Others from across New Mexico and the world have refused to shut down and be scared along with the so-called “leadership” of the Catholic Church in New Mexico. Despite what Archbishop Charles Wester or any other such man of the cloth may use to justify the hollow stance, the Faithful will keep on walking in their faith and in their actions to honor Jesus Christ, the savior of the world this Easter.

Failed ex-Rep. Torres Small joins PAC to oust ‘seditionist, Trump-loving GOP’ House members

1 Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, failed ex-Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, a far-left extremist former member of the House of Representatives, announced she is joining a political action committee called “Shield PAC,” which aims to help vulnerable Democrat incumbents in Congress and pick up seats in the 2022 midterms.

According to the Washington Post, the PAC will try to “inoculate their most vulnerable incumbents from the type of attacks that proved so effective in 2020, when they lost seats in the House.” 

The PAC will help people like vulnerable Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA), another far-left member of the House, who claims to be “moderate,” despite his abysmal voting record of voting with socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) nearly 90% of the time. He votes with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) over 93% of the time, according to ProPublica. 

Shield PAC aims to “shield” these so-called “moderate” Democrats from supposed “false” attacks by Republicans branding leftist extremists like Lamb and ex-Rep. Torres Small as “radicals, using politically toxic positions they don’t hold.” 

According to the PAC website, it claims that if these Democrats don’t keep their seats, “the seditionist, Trump-loving GOP will take over the House.” These extreme attacks from a supposed “moderate” Democrat PAC show that these calls for moderation appear to be merely smoke and mirrors. 

Torres Small wrote on her Twitter, “Honesty and facts matter. That’s why I’m proud to help launch Shield PAC, an effort to support House moderates by telling the truth about their work and defending against partisan lies.” 

The announcement comes after a bitter race between her and current Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, who had a resounding victory over Torres Small in 2020 following many instances of fraud in the 2018 race where Herrell supposedly “lost” due to late-night statistically impossible Democrat-heavy absentee ballot dumps in Doña Ana County. 

Torres Small supported socialist taxpayer-funded “free” college, amnesty for criminal aliens, New Mexico’s “mini” Green New Deal, and bills that would put men in women’s bathrooms. When I asked her directly to address her refusal to support a bill giving basic medical care for babies born alive after botched abortions, she stood by her infanticide stance. Torres Small also voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump, which likely was the final nail in her coffin. 

It is unclear if Torres Small will try another run for the Second District, but her extreme rhetoric claiming President Donald Trump supporters are “seditionist, Trump-loving GOP” members are certainly not calls for “unity” by any means.

Glorieta Camps reportedly no longer likely to house illegal migrant kids from Biden’s border crisis

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News / By

On Thursday, it was reported that the Glorieta Camps were no longer preparing to house illegal migrant children, according to a release from the organization. Earlier in the week, it was reported that they were preparing to take in thousands of illegal migrant youth from Joe Biden’s border crisis. 

“We are very encouraged by all of our partners that we could be an excellent location to support these children if needed in the near future,” the news release said. “At this point all donations and supplies will be held until we receive confirmation if or when we may become a host site in the future.

“It has been great to work with the Office of the Governor, the Health and Human Services Department, [the Federal Emergency Management Agency], Homeland Security, senators, representatives, and the other agencies that are ready to serve these kids in need, and we’re grateful to the state government agencies in New Mexico that would have assisted in an oversight role,” the statement continued.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “A spokeswoman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said the state would assist in oversight of such an effort” to house migrant children in New Mexico. “Currently, she said, state officials ‘don’t know whether or where other sites might be.’” 

According to the Washington Post, more than 8,500 unaccompanied illegal alien children and teens were being housed in Department of Health and Human Services shelters, and a record-setting 3,500 children were backlogged at a Border Patrol station, as of March 10. That number has likely skyrocketed since. 

Over the past few weeks, Joe Biden has been blasted for his failure to control the ravaging of New Mexico’s southern border after he encouraged these criminal alien children to cross into the United States with his weak immigration messaging.

Many illegal immigrants flooding into the U.S. can be seen wearing Joe Biden shirts and holding Joe Biden flags with the messaging “Please Let Us In” written on them. 

There are thousands of illegal migrant children currently in federal custody who are in cramped makeshift holding cells while other children are being housed in metal prison-like boxes outside. 

More and more illegal migrant children are being smuggled into the U.S. each day due to Biden’s failed border policies. One video shows two toddlers smuggled from Equador being dropped over a 14-foot-high border barrier by a smuggler.

Early in her term, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham left the border defenseless when she removed the New Mexico National Guard troops stationed near the border who were assisting the Department of Homeland Security. 

Previously, Gov. Lujan Grisham claimed President Trump “failed” in his response to the border crisis despite him bolstering the border with resources, leading to fewer people crossing the border illegally. Trump had lower deportation numbers than the Obama administration, which Biden was a part of.

Dem-dominated Legislature rams through extreme recreational weed bill heavily subsidizing Big Pot

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Legislature passed Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s radical recreational marijuana legalization bill, which will give the green light to the use of the illicit drug in the State of New Mexico, a major blow to commerce, law enforcement, and child safety in the state.

The New Mexico Senate passed the Senate by a vote of 22-15, with two Democrat senators, Bobby Gonzales (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos) and Shannon Pinto (D-McKinley & San Juan), voting with Republicans against it.

The Governor called the bill’s passage by the Legislature a “significant victory for New Mexico,” writing that “Workers will benefit from the opportunity to build careers in this new economy. Entrepreneurs will benefit from the opportunity to create lucrative new enterprises. The state and local governments will benefit from the additional revenue. Consumers will benefit from the standardization and regulation that comes with a bona fide industry.” 

However, the most such a bill would bring in to the state would be peanuts compared to the bloated state budget that currently sits at $7.4 billion. Proceeds from the sale of recreational marijuana would only contribute a maximum of 0.204% of the state’s needed budget or $15.1 million in the best year.

According to one report, “The state would levy a 12% excise tax on sales to start, and the tax would grow to 18% over time. Gross receipts taxes would also be added on, pushing the total tax rate to 20% to 26% overall.” 

Both chambers of the Legislature also adopted separate legislation to subsidize the Big Pot industry with $7 million in cash, despite the Governor claiming the industry would bring in money to the state. 

The vehicle used to push through weed, H.B. 2, co-sponsored by Rep. Javier Martinez (D-Bernalillo) and Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Bernalillo), was ultimately voted on to move forward over Sen. Cliff Pirtle’s (R-Chaves, Eddy, and Otero) competing proposal, which died.

Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Doña Ana), who was conveniently absent for the final vote on H.B. 2, said, “This bill is not ready, this policy is not ready, New Mexico is not ready,” showing his concern that legalization will do more harm than good in a state plagued by drug and alcohol addiction.

“We’re not really genuinely here to debate the bill or improve the bill,” said Sen. Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. “We’re here to pass the bill.”

The Senate Democrats decisively killed just every amendment to their radical bill proposed by Republicans. Thankfully for minors in New Mexico, the previous language in prior bills allowing parents to legally provide cannabis to children under 21 was removed from the currency legislation.

The bill, however, allows adults over 21 to grow their own pot plants for personal use up to six for personal use and twelve for household use, which will expose children and minors to marijuana.

After the Senate passed the controversial bill following its first passage in the House, the House voted to concur on the bill. It now goes to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s desk, where she is no doubt happily waiting to sign the extreme measure. New Mexico is the 16th state to legalize recreational dope, following New York and fourteen other states. 

1 … 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 … 135

Stay Updated

Scroll to Top