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NM Supreme Court holds fate of swing district in balance

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Republican Party in New Mexico is fervently urging the state Supreme Court to invalidate a congressional map that has dissected a politically conservative oil-producing area into multiple districts while reshaping a swing district along the U.S.-Mexico border to favor Democrats.

The court heard oral arguments on Monday but did not issue a ruling. The map in question, crafted by far-left Democrat state lawmakers, is contested by Republicans who argue that it disproportionately affects the representation of their political minority in the state.

The stakes are high as the court’s decision could sway which party ultimately holds the reins in the state’s Second Congressional District, where Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez seeks a second term. This district has become a focal point in national politics as Republicans strive to maintain their slim majority in the U.S. House in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Similar battles over congressional maps are unfolding across the country. Recent court rulings in Alabama and Florida found that Republican-led legislatures had unjustly diluted the voting power of Black residents. Legal challenges are ongoing in various states, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

In New Mexico, a state district judge ruled in October that Democratic lawmakers had significantly weakened the votes of their political opponents. However, the judge stopped short of labeling it as “egregious” gerrymandering. The Republican Party, appealing this decision, argues that the diluted representation of their political minority may persist for the entire decade until the next round of map redrawing.

Harrison, representing the Republicans, pointed to the 2022 defeat of incumbent GOP Congresswoman Yvette Herrell as evidence of the adverse impact on Republican representation. However, justices raised skepticism, noting the thin margin of Herrell’s loss in 2022 and her previous loss in the open race for the seat in 2018 before district boundaries were redrawn, indicating ongoing competitiveness.

Sara Sanchez, representing Democratic legislative leaders, countered that the evidence presented in the case does not support claims of egregious gerrymandering. She emphasized that while every map may favor one party over another, it only becomes a constitutional concern when it results in entrenchment, a level of effectuation not evident in this case.

The broader political landscape in New Mexico, where Democrats currently hold all statewide elected offices, three congressional seats, and two Senate seats, underscores the significance of the ongoing legal battle over redistricting. The state Supreme Court’s ruling will shape the trajectory of political representation in the Second Congressional District and could have broader implications for the balance of power in the state.

Two New Mexico U.S. reps. vote against stripping antisemitic colleges’ funding

30 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted by an overwhelming bipartisan majority to strip federal funding from college campuses that promote antisemitism. 

However, two New Mexico representatives decided to support antisemites and vote against the legislation along with 52 of their colleagues.

Those who voted no were Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez of the Third Congressional District and Melanie Stansbury of the First Congressional District.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez of the Second District, who faces a tough 2024 reelection against Republican former Rep. Yvette Herrell, voted for the measure.

Stansbury and Leger Fernandez voted with the likes of antisemitic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, both Democrats. Omar was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for her antisemitism, and Tlaib was censured for her rabid antisemitic comments.

A full breakdown of representatives who voted against the commonsense measure is below: 

1. Amo (RI)

2. Balint (VT)

3. Barragán (CA)

4. Beyer (VA)

5. Blunt Rochester (DE)

6. Bonamici (OR)

7. Bowman (NY)

8. Bush (MO)

9. Cárdenas (CA)

10. Casar (TX)

11. Case (HI)

12. Casten (IL)

13. Chu (CA)

14. Clarke (NY)

15. Cleaver (MO)

16. Crockett (TX)

17. DeGette (CO)

18. Foster (IL)

19. García (IL)

20. Green, Al (TX)

21. Grijalva (AZ)

22. Hoyle (OR)

23. Jackson (IL)

24. Jacobs (CA)

25. Jayapal (WA)

26. Johnson (GA)

27. Kamlager-Dove (CA)

28. Lee (CA)

29. Lee (PA)

30. Leger Fernandez (NM)

31. Massie (KY) 

32. McClellan (VA)

33. McCollum (MN)

34. Moore (WI)

35. Nadler (NY)

36. Napolitano (CA)

37. Ocasio-Cortez (NY)

38. Omar (MN)

39. Peters (CA)

40. Pingree (ME)

41. Plaskett (VI)

42. Pocan (WI)

43. Pressley (MA)

44. Ramirez (IL)

45. Sablan (MP)

46. Schakowsky (IL)

47. Scott (VA)

48. Stansbury (NM)

49. Takano (CA)

50. Tlaib (MI)

51. Tokuda (HI)

52. Velázquez (NY)

53. Watson Coleman (NJ)

54. Williams (GA)

CYFD’s jaw-dropping decline in abuse prevention funds revealed

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico’s child welfare agency, the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), has witnessed a significant reduction in spending on evidence-based abuse prevention programs, according to a recent legislative report. Despite a high prevalence of child maltreatment, the CYFD’s spending on services aimed at preventing repeated abuse and neglect plummeted by 77 percent between fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023, as revealed by analysts from the Legislative Finance Committee, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The report highlighted that prevention services accounted for a mere 3 percent of spending on Protective Services in FY23. Acting CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados contested the accuracy of the analysis, stating in an email that spending on preventive services had, in fact, increased by 4 percent from $7.56 million in FY2022 to $7.87 million in FY2023. As of November 16, spending had reportedly reached $13.47 million, indicating a positive shift “reflecting that CYFD is moving in the right direction with a focus on prevention.”

In response, the LFC stressed the importance of understanding how the allocated funds were being utilized, emphasizing evidence-based prevention services as a legislative priority. Maralyn Beck, founder of the New Mexico Child First Network, expressed disappointment at the reported cut in abuse prevention spending, describing it as “both frustrating and deeply irresponsible.” Beck underscored the need for increased investment in upstream services to address New Mexico’s ongoing behavioral health crisis.

The legislative report further revealed that the CYFD had not expended any of the $20 million allocated by the Legislature in FY2023 to expand behavioral health provider capacity. The LFC had previously reported New Mexico’s consistent ranking among the top six states for repeat maltreatment of children within a year of an initial abuse or neglect allegation.

The fiscal year 2024 budget recommendation acknowledged that increased spending on preventive services correlated with a decline in cases of repeat maltreatment. However, it pointed out that the reported drop in abuse prevention spending was a matter of concern, especially considering New Mexico’s record-breaking revenues and the responsibility to prevent child mistreatment.

State Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) emphasized the importance of preventing the “willful harm of our most vulnerable children,” citing the need for an Office of the Child Advocate to enhance oversight of CYFD. Brantley urged the governor to support this proposal in the upcoming legislative session.

State Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Bernalillo), chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, expressed concern over the reported drop in abuse prevention spending, stating, “My reaction is, ‘Wow.’ Of course, I would like to know more details, but that doesn’t seem like we’re going in the right direction.”

As the state grapples with child welfare challenges, stakeholders and legislators are expected to push for reforms in the upcoming legislative session, focusing on prioritizing effective prevention programs and leveraging federal funding to address child maltreatment effectively.

Roundhouse defaced with pro-Hamas ‘Land Back’ vandalism

44 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Just days after U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s Santa Fe office was vandalized with red paint in support of Hamas terrorists’ attacks on Israel beginning in early October, the state capitol building in Santa Fe is the latest victim of the extremist depravity. 

“More vandalism in Santa Fe — this time on the west steps of the state Capitol,” sharing photos, Daniel Chacon of the Santa Fe New Mexican wrote. 

“Among the items left behind was a wooden board with ‘Free Gaza’ and ‘Viva Palestine’ written on it,” he added. The board also read, “Land Back.” Fake body bags accompanied the red paint.

According to the New Mexican, “The Capitol vandalism was discovered around 7:30 a.m. Friday morning as employees approached the west-side entrance, said Raphael Drhett Baca, the Capitol’s building superintendent. Surveillance cameras captured video showing four people, all hooded and clad in black, jumping out of a black SUV at 10:34 p.m. Thursday. ‘They were done by 10:36 p.m.,’ Baca said.” 

Sen. Heinrich’s office was hit with similar hateful sentiments.

The building, located on Marcy Street in the capital city, was painted with the words “HEINRICH STOP THE GENOCIDE,” along with “FREE PALESTINE” and “CEASEFIRE NOW” tagged on the windows of the adobe office building. A large puddle of red paint was then dumped near the office’s front door.

Sen. Heinrich’s Santa Fe office seen on November 15, 2023 vandalized by pro-Hamas terrorists.

Reports indicate the paint was still “bubbling” when staff discovered it on Tuesday. 

The attacks on the state Capitol and Heinrich’s office are just a microcosm of violent anti-Jewish sentiments ravaging the world as Israel continues to defend itself against violent attacks that have claimed thousands of lives.

Governor’s ‘green’ legacy at risk after climate study debunked

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is touting the positive impact of her administration’s oil and gas regulations on the state’s greenhouse gas emissions compared to neighboring Texas. The claim is based on an “independent” study by environmental measurement and analysis firm Kayrros, indicating that New Mexico’s oil and gas operations emit half the emissions of Texas per unit.

The study attributes this difference to New Mexico’s state regulations addressing methane waste and emissions. Governor Lujan Grisham stated, “This study proves what we in New Mexico already know: we are doing the right things at the right time to produce the cleanest barrel of oil in the country.” However, an analysis by The Center Square challenges the study’s accuracy, noting a 25% undercount of Texas Permian Basin oil and gas production.

Data from the Dallas Federal Reserve reveals that in 2022, New Mexico’s Permian Basin production was only one-third of Texas, contrary to the study’s claim. Despite the flaws, the Kayrros study has been endorsed by the governor’s office, which did not respond to inquiries from The Center Square.

Texas oil and gas insiders contest the study’s findings, asserting that methane pollution in Texas has been on a decline similar to that in New Mexico. Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, emphasized the industry’s commitment to responsible operations, citing a 76% reduction in methane intensity from 2011 to 2021.

While acknowledging the positive impact of New Mexico’s methane waste rules implemented in May 2021, critics question the accuracy of the study’s comparison between the two states. Methane, considered 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a significant concern in oil and gas production due to leaks and intentional releases.

Governor Lujan Grisham, who issued an executive order on “climate change” shortly after taking office, praised the efforts of Secretaries Sarah Cottrell Propst and James Kenney for their work in curbing emissions from the energy sector in the state. The regulations mandate operators to capture 98% of produced natural gas by 2026 and ban routine venting and flaring. Since their adoption, New Mexico claims a 36% reduction in gas lost and a 69% reduction in routine venting and flaring. Critics, however, question the objectivity of the study and emphasize the need for accurate data in evaluating environmental policies.

AG Torrez joins brief seeking to override Texas’ pro-life laws

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a controversial move, New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez has joined forces with 21 other attorneys general by signing an amicus brief aimed at expanding access to energy abortion care for Texas patients by overriding the state’s pro-life laws. The brief, filed in the Texas Supreme Court, supports the plaintiffs in Zurawski v. Texas, marking the first legal challenge since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

AG Torrez claimed, “Emergency healthcare should never be politicized or compromised,” criticizing Texas for allegedly creating an “unsafe space for pregnant women.” The statement further expressed solidarity with women across the country facing challenges accessing essential healthcare due to what Torrez referred to as “radical bans.”

The lawsuit, initially filed on March 6, 2023, sought clarification on Texas’ medical emergency exception under state abortion laws. A court order on Aug. 4 temporarily blocked the application of Texas’ abortion ban in cases of “emergent medical conditions.” However, Texas is now appealing this decision in the state’s Supreme Court.

The multistate coalition, represented by the amicus brief, contends that Texas’ laws endanger the lives and health of pregnant women and could have serious repercussions on the health systems of other states. The argument maintains that preventing medical providers from performing abortions needed to treat emergency medical conditions puts pregnant women at risk, as many complications require time-sensitive stabilizing treatment that may include abortion.

Furthermore, the coalition asserts that when Texas hospitals fail to provide emergency abortion care, women are compelled to seek assistance from out-of-state facilities, thereby straining emergency departments in other states dealing with overcrowding, long wait times, and staff shortages.

However, according to medical experts and doctors, abortions are never medically necessary, and the pro-abortion argument is used to confuse and harm women by foisting abortions upon them.

This controversial legal intervention places New Mexico at the center of a divisive national debate, with Attorney General Torrez aligning with a coalition of states advocating for expanded abortion access despite a growing pro-life stance gaining momentum in several parts of the country.

Democrat Soros-backed Ivy Leaguer Raúl Torrez running for NM attorney general

Pro-Hamas extremists vandalize Sen. Heinrich’s Santa Fe office

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to photos obtained by the Piñon Post, far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office in Santa Fe has been vandalized by apparent pro-Hamas extremist domestic terrorists.

The building, located on Marcy Street in the capital city, was painted with the words “HEINRICH STOP THE GENOCIDE,” along with “FREE PALESTINE” and “CEASEFIRE NOW” tagged on the windows of the adobe office building. A large puddle of red paint was then dumped near the office’s front door.

Sen. Heinrich’s Santa Fe office, seen on November 15, 2023, was vandalized by pro-Hamas terrorists.

On Heinrich’s website, the office building in Santa Fe is no longer publicly available, although all other New Mexico office addresses are publicly posted.

The senator wrote on October 18, “The loss and tragedy in Israel and Gaza have been devastating. America must fight to always protect the innocent. Israelis and Palestinians deserve safety and peace. That must include an adherence to international law and ensuring that humanitarian aid is delivered.”

On November 7, Heinrich added, “As I’ve said repeatedly, Israel has the right to hold Hamas accountable for the horrific attacks on October 7th.  I believe deeply that the eradication of Hamas is paramount to stability and democracy in the region. But a shock and awe approach is not the answer.” 

Now, the extremist Hamas domestic terrorists are coming after the Democrat senator. This comes just days after Democrat Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware was accosted on an Amtrak by a far-left pro-Hamas “journalist.”

It is immediately unclear if there are suspects in the vandalism of the office or how much the cleanup will cost the senator. 

Eco-leftists to resurrect thrice failed extreme assault on oil and gas

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Advocates aiming to incorporate the “Green Amendment” into the New Mexico Constitution are gearing up for another attempt in the upcoming legislative session, with the goal of placing it on the November 2024 ballot. This marks the fourth endeavor, as the previous three attempts failed to progress beyond the legislative floor.

Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Bernalillo) is spearheading the effort once again, emphasizing the significance of the “right” to a clean environment for New Mexicans. Addressing the Water and Natural Resources Committee last week, she drew parallels between environmental rights and fundamental freedoms like speech and religion.

Sedillo Lopez claimed, “By placing the environmental rights in our Constitution’s Bill of Rights, we are ensuring that they are given the same legal and constitutional standing as other inalienable rights of fundamental importance to all New Mexicans. We recognize the importance of protecting our speech rights, our religious freedoms, and our civil rights, and it is just as important to protect the rights of our people to clean water and air, a healthy climate, and the environment.”

The proposed amendment outlines that the people of New Mexico should have entitlement to clean and healthy air, water, soil, and environments, including a stable climate and self-sustaining ecosystems, all for the benefit of public health, safety, and general welfare. Furthermore, it emphasizes the state’s responsibility to protect these rights equitably, irrespective of factors such as race, ethnicity, tribal membership status, gender, socio-economic status, or geography.

The vague language in the proposed amendment would mean agencies such as the State Land Office, run by rabidly anti-energy Secretary Stephanie Garcia Richard, would have 100% dominion over state land and water rights. Also, the conflicting science put forth by many left-wing conspiracy theorists regarding “climate change” could dictate what the constitutional amendment’s definition of “a stable climate” is. 

Now that the thrice failed legislation is once again being resurrected, it is unlikely the fringe legislation will get far in a 30-day 2024 session, with opposition from all Republicans and likely some Democrats. Still, New Mexicans must remain alert about the horrific impacts the legislation could have if rammed through.

Two NM counties had more registered voters than qualified electors: Study

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A recently released study by Judicial Watch has exposed voter registration disparities in 353 U.S. counties, revealing 1.8 million more registered voters than eligible voting-age citizens, including two counties in New Mexico.

This discrepancy implies that the registration rates in these counties surpass 100% of eligible voters. The study, conducted in September 2020, drew attention to eight states with statewide registration rates exceeding 100%: Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

New Mexico’s Los Alamos County had a 110% voter registration rate, while Harding County had a 177% rate.

The methodology involved comparing the most recent registration data, obtained from states’ online records, with the Census Bureau’s five-year population estimates collected by the American Community Survey (ACS) from 2014 to 2018. ACS surveys, sent to 3.5 million addresses monthly, are considered highly reliable for estimating population figures outside the decennial census.

However, the study’s scope is limited to the 37 states providing regular updates to their registration data. Some state voter registration lists may potentially be larger than reported, as they may exclude “inactive voters,” who remain registered and can still participate in elections.

Judicial Watch uses such voter registration studies to caution states about potential non-compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This federal law mandates states to make reasonable efforts to clean their voter rolls, and Judicial Watch has a track record of suing to enforce compliance.

In a recent lawsuit against Colorado for non-compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, Judicial Watch revealed that 42 counties, or two-thirds of the state’s counties, had registration rates exceeding 100%. Similar lawsuits were filed earlier this year against Pennsylvania and North Carolina for their failure to remove ineligible voters from their rolls. Another lawsuit was initiated against Illinois for refusing to disclose voter roll data, violating federal law.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton emphasized the study’s revelation of 1.8 million excess or “ghost” voters across 29 states. Fitton expressed concern about the implications of blindly mailing ballots to such voter registration lists, highlighting the importance of clean voting rolls for ensuring fair elections.

This study builds on a similar analysis conducted by Judicial Watch in August 2019, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to promoting cleaner elections and holding states accountable for maintaining accurate voter rolls.

Learn more about all the states and counties affected here.

Longtime voter fraudster reveals how Dems rig elections with mail-in ballots

Albuquerque Journal editorial chides Lujan Grisham’s extreme EV mandate

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a recent editorial, the Albuquerque Journal took a critical stance on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s push for electric vehicle (EV) mandates with 2032 as the set goal, arguing that such measures could severely limit choices for consumers and have a detrimental impact on New Mexico’s auto industry.

The editorial, titled “EV Mandates Would Limit Choices and Decimate NM Auto,” questions the viability and implications of the governor’s ambitious plan to mandate electric vehicles. The Albuquerque Journal, a prominent voice in New Mexico, has raised concerns about the potential consequences of forcing an accelerated transition to electric vehicles.

One key passage in the editorial emphasizes the potential limitations on consumer choices that could result from an aggressive push toward EV adoption. The Journal argues that imposing mandates could disrupt the free market, restricting the availability of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles that many consumers still prefer.

The editorial points out the economic implications for New Mexico’s auto industry, expressing concerns that a rapid shift to EVs could have a devastating impact on jobs and businesses associated with the production, sale, and maintenance of traditional automobiles. The piece highlights the need for a balanced and gradual approach to allow for a smoother transition that considers the economic interests of the state.

The Albuquerque Journal also questions the feasibility of the infrastructure required to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The editorial suggests that implementing mandates without adequate infrastructure could lead to challenges for consumers, such as limited charging options and potential strain on the power grid.

“Mandating EVs is a classic case of putting the cart before the horse. If approved now, a practical governor in the future — maybe one who actually uses an EV — will have to scale back the mandates. They are simply unattainable now,” the board wrote. “There doesn’t seem to be any point in contacting state lawmakers, who long ago acquiesced their regulatory powers to the governor, allowing her to again go it alone through executive action.”

Governor Lujan Grisham’s push for electric vehicle mandates is undoubtedly a topic of significant debate, and the Albuquerque Journal’s editorial provides a platform for raising crucial questions about the potential impact on consumer choices, the economy, and the state’s infrastructure. 

“Like they always say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” concluded the Journal.

Lujan Grisham signs new executive order to revive eco-leftists’ green dream
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