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Lujan Grisham reveals her plan to mandate EVs, hike gas prices

34 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In her latest act to reach her so-called “climate change” goals, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wants to mandate that nearly half of all cars sold in New Mexico be electric vehicles by 2027 (43 percent), she announced on Monday.

The proposed mandate would make the percentage increase to 82 percent by 2032.

The average cost of an electric vehicle is $64,000, while the average cost of a new vehicle in the U.S. is $48,000 — which is 33 percent higher for an electric vehicle.

She wrote on Twitter, “Today I promised to enact advanced Clean Car & Truck rules to expand consumer vehicle options, combat climate change and improve air quality. This is how NM continues to be a #climate leader.”

Although the plan was not released Monday, the Albuquerque Journal noted the final rule should be finalized by Friday. It reported, “Under the proposal, automakers would also have the option of buying credits from other companies to help meet the 43% requirement for 2027 electric vehicles.”

Also on Monday, the governor demanded the state Legislature pass the extremist “clean fuel standard,” which would hike gas prices by over 50 cents per gallon, according to estimates. The bill has died three years in a row and is unlikely to get through with the makeup of the current New Mexico House and Senate. 

Larry Behrens of the pro-energy group Power The Future wrote of Lujan Grisham’s proposal, “This is another misguided proposal that begs the question if the governor’s electric vehicles are so popular,” adding, “why does she have to force them on us? These arbitrary goals with arbitrary deadlines have real consequences as the cost of vehicles rises on New Mexico’s families.”

Shocking questions arise after another disabled patient dies under state care

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), another disabled patient on the state’s Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD Waiver) has passed away.

NMDOH wrote in a press release, “The client reportedly fell, was treated at a hospital for a head injury and subsequently died on June 17, 2023. The department’s Division of Health Improvement continues to investigate this case for any instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation in relation to the care provided to this client.”

“The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating this matter. In an abundance of caution the DOH is also referring this case to the Attorney General’s Office for further review and investigation.”

The Department added, “The individual received an in-person wellness check on April 4, 2023, and appeared healthy without evidence of abuse or neglect when the state conducted in-person wellness checks on all individuals being cared for under the state’s Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD Waiver) programs.”

However, the revelation of the April wellness check raises more questions.

In May, a 38-year-old disabled woman, Mary Melero, died due to constant physical, emotional, and sexual torture for years under her two caregivers. She was also on the state’s DD Waiver, and her abusive caregivers raked in $250,000 of taxpayer money.

At the time, the NMDOH wrote on May 18, 2023, “This shocking case prompted DOH to conduct and complete in-person wellness checks on all individuals being cared for under the state’s Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD Waiver) programs to ensure they are in good health and being well cared for by providers.”

So, if NMDOH did, indeed, conduct wellness checks in May, why is the state now only noting the wellness check from early April? 

After Ms. Melero’s death caused by her caregivers’ torture, NMDOH wrote, “State leadership and the DOH also immediately established what is now an ongoing independent, third-party investigation evaluating both the agency’s Developmental Disabilities Support Division and the Division of Health Improvement procedures to identify systemic flaws that allowed the alleged incidents to occur.”

The Department repeated this claim verbatim, writing in the June 29, 2023, statement on the latest death, “State leadership and the DOH established what is now an ongoing independent, third-party investigation evaluating both the agency’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division and the Division of Health Improvement procedures to identify systemic flaws and improve processes.”

While the complete details of the latest DD Waiver patient’s death are unknown, the state’s claims to have done wellness checks on “all individuals” after Ms. Melero’s tragic slaughter identify more problems with the NMDOH’s care for people with disabilities under state oversight and care.

State paid $250K to culprits who tortured disabled woman to death

ACLU tries bullying Alamogordo hospital into offering abortions, trans services

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The fringe group, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), is attacking Otero County again. This time, the extremist dark money organization is triggered after the announcement Alamogordo’s Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center (GCRMC) is joining the CHRISTUS Health group, which is Catholic. The health group, which is based in Irving, Texas, runs 600 successful facilities in the country, including in Santa Fe, many of them being top-rated. 

GCRMC CEO Jim Heckert said the merger would create $100 million in new investment over the next decade.

In a hostage letter typical of the group, the ACLU claimed the hospital’s merger must incorporate abortions and “LGBTQ+ inclusive” services, “including gender affirming care for transgender patients, and end-of-life care options.”

“We firmly believe in the fundamental right to religious exercise and expression, and we have a long history of defending that right,” claimed ACLU’ of New Mexico’s “Reproductive Rights and Gender Equity” managing attorney Ellie Rushforth. 

“However, religious freedom does not give a health care system the right to limit information and access to basic health care by imposing a narrow set of directives on everyone. The hospital should seek feedback from their community and take more time to consider the potential risks posed by this transaction to their patients and health care providers.” 

Religious freedom guarantees a private non-profit hospital to do whatever it so chooses regarding its beliefs. But the ACLU believes that “religious exercise” in America now must be limited if that religious belief includes pro-life, anti-transgenderism aspects.

At a recent meeting, the Otero County Commission met to reject a proposal to involve the state attorney general in investigating the merger. Instead, the Commission is working on a letter of support for the hospital’s union with CHRISTUS.

Another Michelle Lujan Grisham cabinet member resigns

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Economic Development Department (NMEDD) Secretary Alicia J. Keyes has resigned from the administration — the seventh cabinet appointee to bail on the administration since last November’s election.

The governor claimed in the announcement, “Secretary Keyes’ commitment to carrying out the vision of my administration and her dedication to making New Mexico a great place to live have been integral to the economic health of our great state. I wish her the very best in the future.”

Portrait of Secretary Alicia Keyes via NMEDD.

“My greatest joy has been collaborating with New Mexicans in every corner of the state to create higher-paying jobs and build economic security for future generations,” Keyes said in a statement.

She added, “I want to thank Gov. Lujan Grisham for this opportunity and unwavering support and encouragement. I’m looking forward to continuing to drive economic development forward in my next chapter.”

The NMEDD secretary was paid $200,000 annually, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Her last day will be July 13, 2023.

“Keyes plans to take personal time before pursuing opportunities in the private sector while remaining in New Mexico. The administration is actively seeking Keyes’ successor,” according to Lujan Grisham’s press release.

The Lujan Grisham regime has been a revolving door of cabinet members and other staff, with key departments feeling extreme uncertainty amid the constant shift between cabinet members and staffers. 

Libs flip out after someone writes ‘Jesus Saves’ in chalk on Santa Fe ‘Pride’ flag

51 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The far-left was radio silent during the Black Lives Matter/Antifa riots that resulted in the destruction of property, attacks on businesses, and the desecration of historical monuments. They were equally silent when extremist anti-Hispanic hate groups attacked and toppled the Soldiers Monument that formerly sat in downtown Santa Fe for over 150 years.

However, now they suddenly care about vandalism after an LGBT “Progress Pride” flag installed on the pavement in Santa Fe’s plaza by the City was repeatedly defaced. The flag claims to support not only the gay community but includes transgender and “people of color” in its design as supposed marginalized communities. 

Someone wrote “Jesus Saves” across the flag in white chalk. 

Santa Fe City Manager John Blair complained about the taxpayer-funded painted flag being defaced, telling KOB 4, “Intentionally placing ‘Jesus saves’ over a version of a pride flag is not intended to be loving or welcoming. It’s meant to be discriminatory and hateful.”

Apparently, Blair believes Jesus is “hateful.”

According to KOB 4, “This display will only be up until the end of the month, but the city is planning on installing a permanent rainbow flag over by the Rail Yard Markets.”

In Albuquerque, a taxpayer-funded $30,000 rainbow crosswalk that was installed by far-left Mayor Tim Keller has been repeatedly vandalized. 

It is unclear why these cities that purport to be proud of their flag would put it in a place where it can be written on, much less walked or driven on. 

Is writing "Jesus Saves" in chalk over the "Progress Pride" flag offensive?

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Former state Senator Carroll Leavell passes away

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, it was revealed that former state Sen. Carroll H. Leavell, a Republican, passed away at the age of 86.

He served in the New Mexico Legislature, representing Eddy and Lea Counties from 1997 to 2018 in the New Mexico Senate. He retired on December 4, 2018, for health reasons.

Leavell earned a B.A. in business and economics at Eastern New Mexico University in 1958. He was the president and general manager of Leavell Insurance and Real Estate, Inc. from 1964 to 2002.

In the Legislature, Leavell sat on the powerful Senate Finance Committee. 

He sponsored legislation to promote the oil and gas industry, make changes to the insurance industry, promote volunteer firefighters, and lower taxes. 

“Being the State senator from Jal and representing Southeastern New Mexico have been a source of pride for me. Jal is possibly the furthest city in the state from Santa Fe and I always had fun reminding folks of that,” Leavell told the Carlsbad Current-Argus upon his resignation.

“Thank you southeastern New Mexico for giving me the honor and the distinct pleasure to serve you at the State Capitol. My constituents in Lea and Eddy counties continued to have faith in me and returned me to office over the years,” he said, adding, “In return, I diligently performed my duties as state senator to the best of my abilities.”

According to Leavell’s bio, he was a trustee at the College of the Southwest since the 1990s, a trustee of the Woolworth Community Library Fund since the 1970s, a member of Jal Hospital District’s board of directors, the First Methodist Church, Jal Public Library, the Society of Certified Insurance Commissioners, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico, among others.

The New Mexico House Republican caucus wrote in a statement via Twitter, “Our caucus is sending their heartfelt condolences on the passing of retired State Sen. Carroll Leavell. We are thankful for his many years of public service and grateful for his friendship. Thank your for the dedication to your community and our state.”

“Senator Leavell will be remembered as a statesman and leader of the utmost integrity. As a longtime member of the Senate, he put the needs of his constituents ahead of politics and he was widely respected by members on both sides of the aisle. Senator Leavell will be dearly missed and we send our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,” wrote the New Mexico Senate GOP caucus.

Lujan Grisham’s new abortion hotline cloaked in secrecy

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

The far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration recently unveiled its new abortion hotline that is purported to support women’s access to “reproductive health” despite abortion forcibly ending the reproductive process.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) website claims it is meant to “​​help when looking for abortion information.” The hotline is likely to push abortion businesses like the Albuquerque-based Southwestern Women’s Options, the Las Cruces-based “The Pink House West,” and Planned Parenthood locations littered across the state. 

No information about life-affirming options other than abortion is noted on the NMDOH website despite many of these pro-life pregnancy resource centers offering free help for women in crisis pregnancies.

The website reads, “Help is available for people of all genders and ages. We can help people from any state. You will not be asked any information about citizenship,” apparently showing an aim to push abortion on illegal immigrant women and attempt to service the “trans” community.

“According to state data, there were more than 11,000 reported abortions statewide last year compared with nearly 4,900 abortions reported in 2021,” wrote the Associated Press.

According to a KOB 4 report, “A spokesperson from the governor’s office says the hotline is run by nurses already working at the Department of Health. They’re from the Epidemiology Division [and] helped with the COVID-19 hotline…. The governor’s spokesperson says the hotline is also meant to connect women with housing and transportation needs as well.”

“Call the NM Reproductive Health Hotline for help when looking for abortion information. Your safety and health are important. We do not share your information with anyone. The hotline is staffed by nurses who can answer questions and connect you to health care. The hotline is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. MST and weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” reads the website. 

NMDOH also notes, “You can schedule an appointment with a provider to discuss your options. Please call NM Reproductive Health Hotline (1-833-76REPRO) in order to get information about clinics in NM, as well as wait times.” This appears to indicate abortion facilities are the main push of the hotline, contradicting the governor’s spokesperson.

Despite little to no information available about the hotline, it is prominently featured on the NMDOH website. The hotline remains cloaked in secrecy, but no doubt it is meant to continue pushing abortion up-to-birth in the state where no limits whatsoever exist on abortion, including no standards of care to protect pregnant women or their babies in the womb.

Vagrancy plagues ABQ candidate’s business, City responds with violation

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Albuquerque City Council candidate Dr. Joseph Pitluck Aguirre, who is running in District Six, owns multiple small businesses in Albuquerque. One of his businesses, located at 1700 Central Ave SE, has been plagued by illegal vagrant tent encampments and trespassing. 

“Criminal trespassing not resolved at my building at 1700 Central Ave SE. Called 311 and 242-COPS a few days ago. Just called again. You can see the no trespassing sign. Instead of collecting signatures to get on the ballot for city council, I have to deal w/ this,” he tweeted.

Joseph Pitluck Aguirre walking by one of his businesses on Central Ave. in Albuquerque. Screenshot via Twitter.

He gave an update, writing in all-caps, “THIS GETS WORSE. I JUST GOT A CODE VIOLATION LETTER FOR HAVING AN ILLEGAL CAMP ON MY PROPERTY!” He included a photo of the code violation letter.

The City wrote that he had until July 5, 2023, to resolve the issues, which Code Enforcement noted were to “Remove all litter and trash from the property, including all remnants of the illegal camps set up on the property” and “All Recreational Vehicles or tents parked or attached to the ground for use as an overnight accommodation shall be on a campsite,” referencing a city ordinance against having a “Campground or Recreational Vehicle Park.”

“The owner of any private property shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter. Provided, however, that this section shall not prohibit the storage of litter in authorized private receptacles for collection,” the letter added.

Aguirre gave another update on Twitter following the letter, writing, “I just drove by 1700 Central Ave SE and someone is STILL camping there. I just called 311 again to find out if ACS was dispatched to help them find shelter. I was told there is currently 3 DAY DELAY before ACS can make contact.… WILL I GET ANOTHER CODE VIOLATION?”

One person noted in response to one of Aguirre’s tweets, “I had someone illegally dump a huge pile of trash in the alleyway behind my elderly neighbors house and when I called the city about it to help her they gave me a code violation for weeds behind my house in said alleyway.”

“How many other people have called Albuquerque 311 for assistance, only to get a code enforcement violation days later? This causes a fundamental mistrust between citizens needing help and a hostile city government. This needs investigation,” Aguirre responded. 

The vagrancy and normalization of homelessness in Albuquerque has exacerbated crime problems in the deadly metro area, not only for business owners but also for those living in encampments.

Just Monday, a woman sleeping in a tent just south of Central Avenue was shot and killed. A homicide investigation has been opened into the matter. 

Gabe Vasquez gets endorsement from abortion up-to-birth group

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

This week, the abortion up-to-birth group NARAL endorsed far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-CD-02) for a second term, along with other “frontline” Democrats who face tough reelection prospects.

The group’s president Mini Timmaraju wrote in a statement, “We’re proud to endorse this slate of leaders as the first endorsements of our 2024 electoral program. Ensuring they are reelected is essential to taking back the U.S. House of Representatives and moving one step closer to passing into law legislation that will protect and expand reproductive freedom (abortion).”

The only way for a candidate to receive the radical group’s endorsement is by being 100 percent pro-abortion, meaning no limits whatsoever on abortion procedures — a stance that is far outside of the beliefs of average New Mexicans and Americans in general.

A recent Albuquerque Journal poll found that 59 percent of New Mexicans support some abortion limits, while Vasquez, who represents a district he only won by 0.7 percent, backs full-term abortion.

To double down on his extremist stance, Vasquez wrote on Twitter Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade’s reversal, “[Abortion] is health care. On the anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade, I’m recommitting to fight for reproductive care for all women across the US.”

Vasquez faces fierce Republican competition from former U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, who has the backing of many big names, including U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

New Mexico braces for rolling blackouts this summer

25 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexicans and most others in western states are set to be bracing for blackouts this summer, according to a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

“The demand for electricity is determined by how much one has used at any given time. The more electricity is used, particularly during summer, when most rely on air conditioning, the higher the demand. Electricity supplies power to homes and businesses,” wrote KOAT 7. 

Temperature outlook via NERC.

Last September, there were reports from PNM that there were concerns about rolling blackouts possibly coming to New Mexico this summer.

“We need the public to be ready to help us conserve and save the grid,” PNM communications director Ray Sandoval said at the time. “That way we don’t have to implement those strategic rotating outages,” he explained.

That news came after the San Juan Generating Station was shuttered due to the far-left Democrats’ Green New Deal (Energy Transition Act), which was responsible for its closure and the loss of many jobs.

As we previously reported last September:

During a special Public Regulation Commission meeting Thursday, Public Service Co. of New Mexico (PNM) said it is being forced to PNM executives said the utility will fill “quite a hole” next summer due to “green” replacements taking longer to materialize as the San Juan Generating Station is set to close next week.

According to PNM spokesman Ray Sandoval, PNM “generally has a 2,000-megawatt system with about 500 megawatts provided by the San Juan Generating Station.” 

With the closure of the San Juan Generating Station, it has purged countless jobs, with only around 80 employees able to retire. “For the rest of the employees, though, they’re going to have to go find some other form of employment,” said plant manager Omni Warner. 

The AP reports, “El Paso Electric, a utility that serves customers in southern New Mexico, also is expecting a capacity gap next summer. Like PNM, El Paso Electric will have to buy power from other producers to ensure adequate capacity when customers crank up their air conditioners during the hottest of days.”

The report continues, “PNM officials said they have revamped their plans for alerting customers when it looks like demand will outpace capacity and rolling outages might ensue. The media blitz will include automated calls, television and radio commercials along with social media posts that urge customers to cut back on their use. A special website would go live for tracking outages.”

As three-digit temperatures hit New Mexico, we will see if the rolling blackouts and brownouts hit residents, as many have been very concerned about the potential ramifications.

“It’s an impoverished state. Most people here probably won’t have the resources or income to escape and go somewhere else to get some relief. I don’t think that’s safe. It does concern me,” New Mexico resident Melinda Van Stone said to KOAT 7.

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