Piñon Post

Haaland smacked with ethics complaint over Chaco Canyon land grab

Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) has taken a significant step by filing an ethics complaint that calls upon the Department of the Interior (DOI) Inspector General to thoroughly investigate a potential ethics violation involving DOI Secretary Deb Haaland. The complaint arises from Secretary Haaland’s recent exercise of regulatory authority to implement a contentious moratorium on oil and gas leasing near Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. This move has raised concerns about pre-determined decision-making, prompting PPT to question whether the Secretary fulfilled her impartiality and ethics obligations.

Secretary Haaland’s involvement in the documentary film Our Story: The Indigenous Led Fight to Protect Greater Chaco, narrated by her child, Somah Haaland, has raised eyebrows regarding her impartiality in this matter. The film features footage of Secretary Haaland expressing opposition to oil and gas leasing at Chaco, including what seems to be a one-on-one interview near the site. PPT sought a comprehensive investigation into whether the Secretary adhered to her ethical responsibilities.

Somah Haaland, a media organizer and lobbyist with the Pueblo Action Alliance, an organization dedicated to challenging various systems of oppression, is associated with the film that features Secretary Haaland.

However, documentation obtained by PPT through a Freedom of Information Act request disclosed that Interior ethics officials contacted the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – two organizations involved in promoting Our Story – requesting the removal of the Secretary’s official title and photo from promotional materials. Despite these actions, the Video Project website promoting the film continues to list Secretary Haaland with her official title.

Numerous stakeholders, including NGOs with both friendly and critical perspectives, lawmakers, media outlets, and the Navajo Nation, have expressed skepticism regarding Secretary Haaland’s capacity to render an impartial decision on the matter. Nonetheless, on June 2, 2023, Secretary Haaland issued an order that placed a 20-year moratorium on new oil and natural gas leasing within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon.

Michael Chamberlain, Director of Protect the Public’s Trust, emphasized the importance of impartiality in governmental decision-making: “The American public deserves the assurance that official decisions at the Department of the Interior and other agencies are made in an impartial manner. Despite her unequivocal public statements as a federal official, her child’s leadership position at the loudest advocacy group calling for a moratorium, and even her ‘participation’ in a documentary arguing for such a policy, as Secretary, Deb Haaland pushed forward in the apparent misconception that people would believe she could be ‘impartial’ in the matter. Not only could people knowledgeable about the facts have reason to question her impartiality on this matter, many already have. Is it any wonder the public has so little trust in our government?”

As the ethics complaint against Secretary Haaland moves forward, it is poised to reignite discussions about ethical responsibilities, impartiality, and transparency within governmental decision-making processes.

Dems obstruct gerrymandering case with new court filing

Democrat state legislators are obstructing justice by asserting their right to legislative privilege in the escalating legal conflict surrounding New Mexico’s gerrymandered congressional map. As tensions mount, several legislative leaders have made it clear this week that they won’t participate in the depositions scheduled by the Republican Party of New Mexico and other plaintiffs who oppose the redistricting efforts. The lawmakers have also submitted motions to invalidate the GOP’s subpoenas, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The crux of their argument hinges on a specific clause within the state Constitution. This clause stipulates that legislators “shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate or for any votes cast” in either legislative chamber. The Democrats’ assertion of this legislative privilege underscores their belief that they are shielded from external inquiries regarding their legislative actions and statements.

On the other hand, the plaintiffs contend that their requests for information are within the parameters of standard practice in gerrymandering lawsuits. They have also indicated a willingness to narrow the scope of their information requests. This conflict over depositions coincides with District Judge Fred Van Soelen’s looming deadline of October 1, as ordered by the Supreme Court, to settle the case. A trial is scheduled from September 27 to 29 in Lovington.

The legal dispute revolves around allegations made by the Republican Party of New Mexico and other parties, including Democrat Roswell Mayor Timothy Jennings, who claim that Democrat lawmakers and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham unlawfully diluted the voting power of Republicans in the newly redrawn congressional districts following the 2020 census. 

The core of the matter is illustrated through an extensive 80-page legal submission by attorneys supporting the maps. They claim that the GOP and other plaintiffs are demanding deposition and record submissions that could “transform this case into an unconstitutional circus that cannot be completed” by the October 1 deadline. The legislative privilege is portrayed as an unassailable foundation of the separation of powers, protecting the legislative branch from external encroachment by the judiciary or executive branches.

The Democrats also attempted to boot Democrat Mayor Jennings from the lawsuit, claiming he does not have standing despite his community being chopped up in multiple pieces and cracking the voting power of the people in Roswell.

Republicans’ legal representatives counter that legislative privilege can be counterbalanced with other constitutional rights. They argue that courts have occasionally overridden privilege claims in cases involving partisan gerrymandering, citing the potential deprivation of citizens’ equal participation in the political process due to redistricting.

The litigation has led the state’s Republican Party and other plaintiffs to assemble an extensive list of potential witnesses among Democrat lawmakers and political insiders. These individuals could be called upon to provide testimony under oath during depositions or at the trial. However, key legislative figures, including Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), who co-sponsored the gerrymandering legislation, have formally informed the court that they will not participate in the scheduled depositions. This decision stems from their assertion of legislative privilege and other legal defenses.

The opportunity to question Democrat legislators under oath holds significant weight in the case. Opponents of the map, primarily Republicans, are striving to demonstrate that Democrat lawmakers crafted the gerrymandered plan with the intention of consolidating their party’s grip on power. Ultimately, the judge will likely assess whether a nonpartisan rationale exists behind the map’s formation.

Top Dems attempt to boot Dem mayor from gerrymandering lawsuit

Leading Democrat lawmakers involved in the challenge to the state’s gerrymandered congressional districts are seeking to have Democrat Roswell Mayor Timothy “Tim” Jennings and two other individuals removed as plaintiffs from the case, prompting a debate over legal standing and representation.

The motion, filed by attorneys representing New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez and Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, contends that Jennings, along with fellow plaintiffs Dinah Vargas and Pearl Garcia, have failed to establish sufficient legal standing in the lawsuit. Legal standing, which enables an individual plaintiff to bring a specific claim to court, has become a central point of contention in the ongoing dispute over the redrawing of New Mexico’s congressional districts through S.B. 1.

Jennings speaking at a City Council meeting in 2022.

In a detailed 23-page motion, the Democrat legislators’ legal team argues that the plaintiffs have not adequately demonstrated that they have personally suffered harm due to the passage of SB 1. The motion asserts, “None of these three plaintiffs — allege— nor could they demonstrate— that their votes have been diluted under SB-1 or that relief the plaintiffs seek would redress any alleged harm. Accordingly, they should be dismissed from this action.”

While the plaintiffs counter that their grievance stems from the alleged cracking of conservative communities, particularly Roswell, among the three newly delineated districts, the lawmakers’ motion claims there needs more proof for plaintiffs to substantiate how their votes have been diluted and how the relief sought will address this issue. 

In an interview with the Roswell Daily Record, Mayor Jennings expressed strong disagreement with the motion, stating, “That’s bull. There is no reason I shouldn’t have standing.” Jennings, a Democrat who joined the Republican-backed challenge to the congressional map, contends that his community’s interests have been negatively impacted by the redistricting.

The heart of the dispute lies in Jennings’ claim that his community of Roswell was adversely affected by the redistricting. His argument emphasizes that the redistricting process has split his like-minded community among multiple districts, thereby diluting their collective voting power. The plaintiffs argue that this division prevents them from uniting to elect a candidate of their choice, directly opposing the central principle of equal representation.

The gerrymandered districts, which chopped up multiple communities and resulted in snake-like shapes, shifted the lone Republican district from leaning Republican by 14 points to now favoring Democrats by four points — an 18-point swing. This is a classic sign of partisan gerrymandering, along with the sprawling districts, as evidenced by the new Third Congressional District, which stretches from Jal in the extreme southeast corner of the state to Four Corners in the extreme northwest corner of the state. It would take nine hours and eleven minutes driving nonstop to reach both communities, which are all jumbled in the same district.

Legal experts weigh in on the debate, emphasizing that standing, while crucial in federal courts, is rooted in state constitutions for state court cases. Although the legislators’ strategy to challenge plaintiffs’ standing might not result in the case’s dismissal, the focus on the plaintiffs’ representation highlights the complexity of the legal and political battle surrounding the redistricting dispute.

As the case progresses, the ongoing debate over legal standing and its role in determining representation in state court cases continues to unfold.

NM Planned Parenthood admits it is nothing more than an abortion mill

Amidst an ongoing influx of patients from Texas, where pro-life policies protect children from abortion, Planned Parenthood centers in New Mexico have finally admitted their true purpose: performing abortions — not true health care. 

The overwhelming demand has led to modifications in services and referrals, according to a report from MedPage Today titled “Planned Parenthood of New Mexico Limits Non-Abortion Care Due to Surge From Texas.” This situation, however, raises concerns regarding the allocation of resources and priorities in reproductive healthcare.

“Planned Parenthood clinics in New Mexico are prioritizing abortion” services due to an increasing number of patients arriving from Texas. The state’s life-affirming laws have prompted individuals to seek services in New Mexico, where abortion up to birth is legal. 

In response to the surge in demand, Planned Parenthood has been redirecting non-abortion patients to neighboring clinics for family planning, wellness exams, and other maternal health needs. This strategic move aims to “keep wait times down for abortion care. Currently, the wait time is 14 days for an abortion appointment at one of their clinics,” as reported by the outlet.

Adrienne Mansanares, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, highlighted what she perceived to be staffing shortages. 

One of the most contentious aspects of the situation lies in the clinics’ approach to abortions. While one location in Albuquerque provides procedural abortion care, three locations attend to medication abortion in person and through telehealth appointments. The timing of appointments for medication abortion is limited to four weeks.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has reported similar challenges in Colorado and Nevada, which are also part of the organization’s network. The surge in out-of-state patient volume from Texas following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization U.S. Supreme Court decision, which put the abortion issue back to the individual states, has increased New Mexico’s abortion patients due to the anti-life laws employed in the Land of Enchantment. “56% of New Mexico’s Planned Parenthood abortion patients are from Texas, according to data from Planned Parenthood,” the report notes.

During the 2023 legislative session, far-left Democrats rammed through $10 million in state funds to open a new abortion mill in Las Cruces to service Texas as its back-alley abortion mill. It had bipartisan opposition but still passed due to anti-life Democrats holding a comfortable majority in both chambers of the New Mexico Legislature.

In conclusion, the surge in demand for abortion care in New Mexico highlights the complexities of reproductive healthcare access and allocation of resources. The prioritization of abortion services due to out-of-state patients underscores the need for comprehensive reproductive health planning to ensure timely and equitable care for all patients.

Santa Fe Archbishop Wester takes powerful stand in support of life

In a powerful pastoral letter issued on the feast of the Assumption, as reported by New Mexico Alliance for Life, Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester has passionately called for the protection of human life and an end to the growing concerns surrounding abortion in New Mexico. The Archbishop’s letter, read at every Catholic mass in the archdiocese on August 15th and 20th, addresses the urgent need to defend the rights of both mothers and their unborn children.

The timing of this proclamation is particularly striking, coinciding with a recent revelation by the New Mexico Alliance for Life regarding the promotion of “ritual abortions” by the Satanic Temple Health through Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s abortion hotline.

Archbishop Wester’s letter underscores the necessity of supporting pregnant mothers and offering healing to those who have experienced past abortions. The Archbishop further emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying reasons that lead women to choose abortion. He asserts, “We must do all that we can to support the mother and to help her sustain the right to life of her child.”

Central to the Archbishop’s message is the urgent call for Catholics in New Mexico to actively defend innocent life at all stages, from conception to natural death. He proposes a meaningful act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary as a powerful means to inspire change and foster a culture that values human life.

The significance of this public consecration extends beyond the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, as Bishop James S. Wall of the Diocese of Gallup and Bishop Peter Baldacchino of the Diocese of Las Cruces join in solidarity, collectively covering the entire state of New Mexico.

Archbishop Wester has directed priests throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, encompassing Albuquerque and Santa Fe, to incorporate the Act of Consecration in every mass. An excerpt from the consecration prayer reads, “O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we consecrate ourselves to you this day, seeking the grace to be effective advocates for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.”

The Archbishop’s pastoral letter resonates with a plea to eradicate the driving forces behind abortion, including economic, social, and psychological factors. Poverty is highlighted as a common cause, and the Catholic community is called upon to actively combat these underlying conditions.

The Archbishop’s heartfelt words stress the necessity of changing hearts as a crucial step in the pro-life movement. While education is essential, genuine transformation can only be achieved by touching the depths of human hearts. This transformation, according to Archbishop Wester, can be rooted in prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Archbishop Wester concludes his letter by inviting fellow believers to consecrate themselves and the archdiocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He expresses his confidence that such a collective effort will prompt a shift in the state’s approach to protecting human life from conception onward.

In a call to action, individuals are encouraged to express their gratitude to Archbishop Wester for his impassioned leadership. This can be done by sending a “thank you” email to vg@archdiosf.org.

The proclamation by Archbishop John C. Wester serves as a resounding call to defend the sanctity of human life, addressing the pressing concerns surrounding abortion in New Mexico. With its potent blend of compassion, faith, and a call to collective action, the pastoral letter resonates deeply within the hearts of Catholics and beyond, inspiring hope for a more compassionate and life-affirming society.

Lujan Grisham takes third summer vacation — this time to Colorado

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham embarked on her third summer vacation, traveling to Colorado on Thursday for some personal time.

This marks another leisure trip after her recent vacations in Arizona earlier this month and the Virgin Islands in June, where she celebrated her honeymoon and first wedding anniversary with her husband, Manny Cordova.

Governor Lujan Grisham reportedly spent a week in Arizona. This was followed by a two-week getaway to the Virgin Islands, commemorating her marriage milestone. She was married last year to Cordova in Washington, D.C., with Kamala Harris officiating the nuptials.

While the governor is away, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will temporarily take the reins in her absence.

Lujan Grisham is known for her lavish excursions outside of the state and country, including climate change conferences in Scotland and Egypt, as well as island getaways to Spain early in her first term as governor, and a plethora of trips to Washington, D.C.

Former state Sen. Ramos seeks to reclaim seat from progressive

Former state Sen. Gabriel Ramos (Catron, Grant & Socorro), a Democrat-turned-Republican, is running for another term in the New Mexico Senate after losing the June primary against progressive now-Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill.

In a press release, the former state lawmaker and veteran’s campaign wrote, “Ramos first engaged in public service when he was elected to Grant County Clerk at age 25. He was later elected to serve on the Cobre School Board, Hurley Town Council and then the Grant County Commission for eight years before being appointed to the New Mexico Senate in 2019.”

“A Hispanic Catholic, Ramos was pushed out of his seat by radical Santa Fe politicians after he not only refused to back down from his values of life, freedom, and opportunity, but also rejected their agenda of power and control.”

Ramos said, “My values have not changed. What has changed is the divisive agenda of progressive politicians in Santa Fe. They chose politics over helping New Mexicans. They left common sense behind, and they left us behind. Now I’m running to represent Southwest New Mexico again, and I’m just as strong and ready to fight for you as I have ever been.”

“I will not let the values and traditions of Southwest New Mexico be dictated by Santa Fe politicians and lobbyists who don’t care about or listen to us. I will be a true voice for Grant, Luna and Hidalgo County,” Ramos added.

In addition to his public service, Ramos has a background of service to our country and the state of New Mexico. He joined the New Mexico National Guard at 17, then went to work at the Hurley Mines before opening his own car wash business and working in the insurance business.

More information about Gabe Ramos can be found on his website ramosfornm.com.

Three New Mexico community colleges ranked top 20 in the nation

According to a new WalletHub ranking survey, three New Mexico community colleges have been ranked in the top 20 among all others across the nation.

Santa Fe Community College ranked 12th, Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque ranked 13th, and San Juan College in Farmington ranked 16th.

Although not in the top 20, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus ranked 26th among all other community colleges.

The number one community college nationwide was State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, MO.

“In order to determine the best and worst community-college systems in the U.S., we drew upon our analysis of 2023’s Best & Worst Community Colleges, which was conducted at the individual-school level across a sample of 668 institutions and 19 key metrics,” wrote WalletHub.

New Mexico ranked number one overall for the state with the best community college system, according to WalletHub’s nationwide system survey

New Mexico was followed by Connecticut, Maryland, Oregon, and Minnesota.

“For our state-by-state analysis, we calculated a weighted average of the scores earned by the community colleges in each state and the number of students enrolled in each school. The state with the highest average corresponds with a rank of No. 1, or the best community-college system. We also took into account only the states that had at least two community colleges present in our sample of the Best & Worst Community Colleges in order to ensure comparability of results,” the outlet noted. 

New Mexicans continue to suffer through high electric bills

High electric bills are taking a toll on New Mexicans amid hot July weather, driving up air conditioning usage. Customers of electric companies like PNM and Xcel Energy are witnessing unusually high bills, with air conditioners accounting for up to 50% of summer bills. PNM customer Peggy Abby expressed her shock at the substantial increase in her bill, telling KOAT 7 News, “I have never seen one this high! $453, it’s never even been $100.”

The high temperatures have led to increased electricity consumption, resulting in elevated bills for many households. Wes Reeves, a spokesperson for Xcel Energy, acknowledged the challenges faced by customers, emphasizing that despite efforts to reduce prices to $0.11 per kilowatt hour, usage spikes can still lead to higher costs. 

Xcel Energy has introduced flexible payment options, such as “Flex Pay,” which allows large bills to be spread out over six months.

PNM and Xcel Energy have both established resources to support customers struggling to manage their bills. Options like “Average Billing” enable even distribution of costs throughout the year, and PNM’s newly introduced “PNM Summer Heat Bill Fund” offers assistance to customers, regardless of whether they are currently behind on payments. Eric Chavez, a PNM spokesperson, emphasized the company’s proactive approach to providing aid to customers, with the goal of helping as many people as possible.

To further assist customers, PNM has launched the “Gift of Power,” allowing individuals to pay the bills of others in need. Additionally, PNM has created a fund named the “PNM Summer Heat Bill Fund,” designed to offer aid to customers even if they are not currently behind on their payments. Income restrictions do apply for those planning to apply for PNM’s funds.

In light of the financial burden caused by the high bills, both electric companies encourage customers to seek assistance rather than attempting to manage the situation on their own. PNM directs customers to their website, pnm.com/assistance, and Xcel Energy emphasizes the importance of communication, urging customers to reach out if they face difficulties.

In the coming winter months, New Mexicans can also expect high costs, with anti-energy leftist policies passed at the Roundhouse and dictated by the Joe Biden administration, forcing the cost of gas to skyrocket. As we previously reported, the New Mexico Gas Company requested another rate hike from the state Public Regulation Commission not even one year after the last one.

New study shows how NM ranks against all other states

WalletHub’s recent study has assessed the quality of life across various U.S. states, delving into metrics encompassing affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. 

Analyzing 51 different factors such as housing affordability, unemployment rate, and high school graduation rate, the study aimed to unveil the best states to live in. Regrettably, New Mexico found itself at the bottom of the ranking, occupying the 51st spot with an average score of 39.86. 

Although the state’s economy secured a 25th place standing, and its quality of life achieved 31st place, the education and health sector and safety lagged behind, holding the 47th and 50th positions, respectively.

The study also scrutinized the percentage of poverty in each state, highlighting New Mexico’s unfortunate position at 48th place, preceded only by Louisiana (49th) and Mississippi (50th). 

An in-depth look at crime rates revealed that Louisiana had a slightly worse ranking than New Mexico, ranking 50th, while New Mexico was positioned at 49th. Moreover, New Mexico trailed behind at 46th place when considering the percentage of the population aged 25 and older with a high school diploma.

Conversely, according to the study’s findings, Montana and Vermont emerged as leaders in this category, with Massachusetts securing the top spot as the best state to reside in. 

Despite its 44th rank in affordability, Massachusetts excelled in other areas, boasting an 11th-place standing in the economy category and clinching the top ranks for education and health, quality of life, and safety.

The study’s comprehensive assessment underscores the diverse landscape of the U.S., revealing variations in key aspects of residents’ lives across states. While New Mexico faces challenges in education, health, safety, and poverty rates, the findings emphasize the need for strategic measures to uplift the state’s standing. 

Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ overall top-ranking status showcases the importance of a holistic approach to governance and policy-making to enhance its citizens’ well-being across multiple dimensions.

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