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Dem legislator threatened Edgewood funding over pro-life ordinance

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On Wednesday morning, the Town of Edgewood passed an ordinance to ensure compliance with the federal Comstock Act, which prohibits the illicit transport of “abortion pills” or “abortion-related paraphernalia.”

During a meeting, state Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo) threatened to yank funding from the Town of Edgewood if it passed the pro-life ordinance, according to attendees present and members of the public.

“I’m just going to have to reconsider how I allocate my capital outlay,” said McQueen, referring to funds legislators have for projects in their districts. In 2023, each legislator got $2,510,000 to spend.

Edgewood Commissioner Ken Brennan of District One clapped back at the lawmaker, “Is that a threat?”

McQueen responded, “Well if you want to take it that way.”

The Democrat lawmaker is also reported to have said, “I have 30,000 constituents, and Edgewood is insignificant.” 

Present at the meeting were Mayor Audrey Jaramillo, Commissioners Jerry Powers, Filandro R. Anaya, Ken Brennan, Sterling Donner, state Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), and others. 

Among McQueen’s capital outlay requests for 2023 were four projects in Edgewood, with one project funded $500,000. That project was to revamp recreational facilities at Venus Park. 

During the consideration of the ordinance, Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) testified in opposition to its passage, while pro-life Reps. Lord and John Block (R-Alamogordo) and Sen. David Gallegos (R-Eunice) testified in support. McQueen left the meeting before public comment.

The Town Commission passed the ordinance early Wednesday morning by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Anaya being the only vote against it. Edgewood’s move comes after other pro-life localities, including the Cities of Eunice, Hobbs, and Clovis, also passed similar ordinances. 

Because the ordinance is based on federal laws and not state laws, it supersedes recent legislation, including H.B. 7, attempting to ban localities from regulating abortion. 

In New Mexico, abortion is legal up to the date of birth without exceptions. 

Rep. McQueen did not respond to a Friday request for comment. We afforded him the entire weekend to respond, but he has not yet since reached out to comment on the matter.

Edgewood passes pro-life ordinance, dealing blow to pro-abortion leftists

$3 million winning lottery ticket sold in New Mexico

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Friday’s winning $3 million Mega Millions lottery ticket was sold in New Mexico.

NorthJersey.com reported, “One ticket sold in New Mexico matched all five white balls and had the Megaplier to win $3 million.”

The winning numbers for Friday’s drawing are 18 – 38 – 53 – 62 – 64 and Megaball 20. The Megaplier was 3x. 

“The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number are 1 in 302,575,350, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The overall chance of winning a prize is 1 in 24,” reported City News Service. 

In New Mexico, the lottery winner has 90 days from the date of the announcement to claim the prize. 

The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday. The drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

In New Mexico, the lottery winner cannot remain anonymous. A bill sponsored in the 2023 Legislative Session, S.B. 198, by Sen. Pat Woods (R-Broadview), proposed letting lottery winners remain anonymous to claim their prize.

It read that the New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department “shall not disclose a connection between a winner of a lottery game and information about the winner the department is required to reveal.” 

The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate but did not reach the finish line in the New Mexico House due to running out of time for consideration during the 60-day session.

Currently, 13 states allow some form of anonymity for lottery winners, with Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming allowing total anonymity regardless of the size of the prize, according to Lotto America.

The usual suspects emerge to oppose NM pro-life sanctuary cities

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Like clockwork, outside dark money groups, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains are seeking to get involved in attacking pro-life sanctuary cities.

The groups, which are bankrolled by hundreds of millions in donations from billionaires, such as George Soros, are planning on submitting briefs in a state Supreme Court case filed by pro-abortion Democrat Attorney General Raúl Torrez attempting to strike down six pro-life sanctuaries in Clovis, Hobbs, Eunice and Edgewood and Lea and Roosevelt counties.

The Albuquerque Journal reported, “The ACLU and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains both alerted the state Supreme Court this week they plan to file briefs in the case, which was brought by Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office and has emerged as a key test to local governments’ ability to restrict access to abortion services.”

The ACLU’s attorney, Ellie Rushforth, said the stakes “could not be higher” in the case and said abortionists would “leave for fear of litigation and civil and criminal penalties.”

“Meanwhile, attorneys for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains said in their notice of intent that other groups would join them in filing a so-called amicus brief with the court. Those groups include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a Washington D.C.-based professional membership group, and Bold Futures New Mexico, which has advocated for access to abortion services.” 

The pro-abortion groups have for years threatened localities with litigation over pro-life stances, from resolutions to ordinances. Last year when the City of Alamogordo passed a pro-life resolution, the ACLU sent a hostage letter, threatening litigation if the City was to enforce it. Despite the threats, the City passed it, and it remains intact after a failed referendum attempt that fell short.

The ordinances passed by the six localities all are based upon the federal Comstock Act, which supersedes state statutes far-left Democrats have passed, such as 2023’s H.B. 7, attempting to circumvent local control of abortion.

The New Mexico Supreme Court is set to rule on the matter in May. 

MLG, AG Torrez furious after Edgewood passes pro-life sanctuary ordinance

KOB poll on financial literacy delivers shocking results

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A poll run by KOB 4 asked viewers, “Should NM schools require students to take financial literacy classes?” as its question of the day.

As of 3:54 p.m. on Thursday, the poll showed that a shocking 96 percent of respondents support mandatory financial literacy classes in schools, with only four percent opposing it. 

Screenshot via KOB 4 of financial literacy poll taken 3:45 p.m. on April 27, 2023.

The massive level of support from across the spectrum is another affirmation of financial literacy’s necessity in New Mexico classrooms.

During the 2023 Legislative Session, Republican and Democrat legislators in both the New Mexico House of Representatives and Senate unsuccessfully proposed mandatory financial literacy classes in state K-12 schools.

H.B. 279 from Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) would have required financial literacy to be a prerequisite for high school graduation. S.B. 341 from Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque) stated that “[p]ersonal finance shall be offered as an elective.” However, those bills did not make it through.

According to the latest scientific nationwide poll done by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) in late 2022 found that only 44 percent of adult Americans “feel confident making financial decisions because they had prior knowledge. In addition, 40% of adults feel confident because they had made and learned from a similar decision in the past.” 

The low confidence number nationwide is alarming and calls on the need for mandatory financial literacy since the same poll also found that 88 percent of respondents say their state should require a semester or year-long financial education course for graduation.

“Some states already require students to take a financial education course, and some states are in the process of instituting this curriculum. Americans overwhelmingly agree that learning money skills at an early age is important. In fact, 80% of American adults wish they had been required to take a semester- or year-long financial education class in high school,” said Billy Hensley, Ph.D., president and CEO of NEFE. “This polling reinforces the national support for personal finance to be a part of learning in all schools.”

In future legislative sessions, the strong support for financial literacy in New Mexico and nationwide may drive a renewed push for legislation to ensure this is a requirement of New Mexico public school graduates. 

Rio Rancho parents seek to get porn out of taxpayer-funded libraries

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On Thursday, Rio Rancho parents and community leaders will urge the removal of pornography from Rio Rancho taxpayer-funded public libraries. 

Some of these titles include “This Book is Gay” by James Dawson, which activists from New Mexico Mass Resistance describe as a “how-to” book for “depraved, unsafe sexual perversions.”

Another book sought to be removed is “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, featuring “Very explicit drawings of teens having homosexual sex with each other, including a boy sucking on another boy’s penis… [A main character is a girl trying to be a boy, so it’s transgender propaganda as well].” 

More information about this book targeting children can be found here.

“​​Flamer” by Mike Curato, another book being opposed, is described as “Some boys were at scout camp and they were all in a tent and with their pants pulled down. Another boy comes in and they hand him a bottle. They tell him that they’ve all masturbated into that bottle, and if he can’t do it right now in front of them, then he has to drink it.”

The group writes, “All of the books listed above (and hundreds of similar books) can be checked out by children (defined as age 18 and below) from the Rio Rancho Public Library. The purchase of the books has been funded by ‘Quality of Life’ General Obligation Bonds approved by Sandoval County voters. These books should not be allowed in our library. This is NOT a First Amendment Freedom of Speech issue or ‘Book Banning.’ According to New Mexico Statues Chapter 30-37-2 Sexual exploitation of children, possession of this obscene

material is a fourth degree Felony.” 

The meeting will take place Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Rio Rancho City Hall. The address is 3200 Civic Center Circle NE in Rio Rancho and attendees are urged to get there early, with instructions to “[a]rrive no later than 5:30PM and sign-in at the City Clerk’s table.”

The group urges, “Do not make homophobic statements! We are intent on protecting our children from … transgenderism.” 

New Mexico Mass Resistance writes that the Rio Rancho City Council canceled its April 10, 2023 meeting, with questions of what is the governing board hiding. “We don’t care if this material is available elsewhere, just as long as it is NOT in OUR library,” the group added. 

More information for attending the meeting is below: 

This meeting will be conducted in-person and virtually, as well as, streamed live on the City of Rio Rancho website at: https://rrnm.gov/2303/Watch-and-Download-City-Meetings 

Individuals wishing to present public comment may do so in-person or remotely via Zoom meeting software with the access information below: 

Join by Computer: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85302353741?pwd=bWp1QXliSGJoeHhJaGVOczF4MDN0UT09 

Meeting ID: 853 0235 3741 

Passcode: 789419 

Join by Phone: Dial 1-720-707-2699 US then enter the Meeting ID and Passcode above

Should books sexualizing children be banned from public libraries?

Please fill out the form:

Former New Mexico governor declared deceased

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On Wednesday, it was reported that former New Mexico Gov. Jerry Apodaca, 88, had passed away. 

Apodaca was elected in 1974 and went on to serve on Democrat former President Jimmy Carter’s Council on Physical Fitness after leaving office in 1979. 

Apodaca’s son, Jeff Apodaca, a former 2018 candidate for governor, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that the former governor “may have suffered a stroke at his home.”

He said, “His legacy is not that he was the first Latino governor elected,” adding, “His legacy was that he opened doors for minorities, Hispanics, women in the state and around the country.”

Governor Jerry Apodaca in 2002. Screenshot via C-SPAN.

Apodaca was elected to the New Mexico Senate in 1965 and defeated Republican Congressman Joe Skeen in the gubernatorial election.

In the 1970s, governors could only run for one four-year non-consecutive term, so the former governor only served one term. Once leaving office, Apodaca served on the University of New Mexico Board of Regents. The New Mexico Public Education Department building in Santa Fe is named in his honor. 

In 2018, Apodaca, a Democrat, supported Republican Congressman Steve Pearce for governor over far-left Democrat then-Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is currently serving her second term as governor. 

Heinrich to kick off reelection bid for Senate with governorship in his sights

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According to a report by the Santa Fe New Mexican, far-left Democrat U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is kicking off his 2024 U.S. Senate reelection bid to hold onto the office until he potentially makes a run for governor in 2026.

“Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich plans to kick off his 2024 reelection campaign Friday with a fundraiser in a private home. Senate terms last six years, but Heinrich might try to cut short his stay by running for governor in 2026,” the report notes. 

The news comes as Heinrich was just elevated to chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) for the 118th Congress, of which he previously served as vice chair and ranking member.

Heinrich said of the elevated role, “Too many people in Washington, D.C. think that if the stock market is going up, the economy is in good shape. But that’s not true for working families in New Mexico or across the country. The way we should measure the success of the economy is if parents can afford to send their kids to college, entrepreneurs can start new businesses, our children are educated and healthy, and workers are able to retire with peace of mind,” adding, “As we continue our economic recovery, ensuring access to quality education, well-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and clean energy are essential to our collective prosperity.”

Some may take the rhetoric, of which is rare from Heinrich, as a move to position himself in a place of power as he eyes New Mexico’s chief executive office.

“As his campaign begins, Heinrich will have to deal with uncomfortable questions until he supplies answers. Voters need to know if he pledges to complete another term in the Senate, or if he’s going to run for governor,” opined the New Mexican.

The report notes that the “favorite” in the Democrat primary to take over the governorship following incumbent Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham would be U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, writing, “Deb Haaland would beat him if she wants the job. And Haaland, secretary of the interior, could depart her appointed position more easily than Heinrich could abandon his elective office.” 

Edgewood passes pro-life ordinance, dealing blow to pro-abortion leftists

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On Wednesday at around 1:38 a.m., the Town of Edgewood passed Ordinance 2023-002 by a vote of 4-1 to make it illegal for any person to violate the federal Comstock Act after a meeting called at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

After an extremely lengthy closed-door executive session that started at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday and ended shortly after 8:00 p.m. to talk about the pro-bono legal counsel provided by pro-life attorney Jonathan Mitchell regarding potential litigation regarding the ordinance, the Commission took public comment. 

Pro-abortion state Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) opposed the ordinance, while pro-life Reps. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) and Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), and Sen. David Gallegos (R-Eunice) stood in support of the ordinance. 

A few leftists claimed the pro-abortion drugs that are maiming and killing women are safe, although scientific evidence analyzed from the FDA data proves they have been proven deadly. A majority of commenters were in support of the ordinance, which ultimately passed. The Commission then went back into executive session until around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. 

The ordinance proposed by Commissioner Sterling Donner of District Five and passed by the Commission reads, in part, “It shall be unlawful for any person to violate 18 U.S.C. § 1461 by using the mails for the mailing, carriage in the mails, or delivery of: 1. Any article or thing designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion; or 2. Any article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing which is advertised or described in a manner calculated to lead another to use or apply it for producing abortion.” 

Commissioner Filandro R. Anaya of District Four repeated the canned pro-abortion talking point, asserting abortion “is between them and their doctors and only them and their doctors.”

Some commissioners asked to pass an amendment in Section Eight changing the ordinance so it would not take effect until or unless the U.S. Supreme Court rules on other Comstock Act cases. That amendment failed on a vote of 3-2.  

“This is not an ordinance. This is a resolution,” said Commissioner Donner regarding the proposed amendment that would weaken the law to a mere statement. “This does nothing. This shows again that we are not acting courageous[ly]. It doesn’t keep anything out of this town. I disagree with this. I think this goes against everything we’ve been trying to get done…. And we wasted 15 hours of our time discussing this. I’m tired of being weak and bowing down to the state. What they’re doing is not right. We continue to bow down, we continue to give, and it’s never going to end.” 

“This is a weak move,” he said, adding, “It’s just weakness” regarding the failed amendment.

Commissioner Jerry Powers of District Two claimed the consequences of passing the final ordinance were “serious,” and he criticized the enforcement mechanisms for the Town of Edgewood, saying it puts the town in “strict jeopardy” after his motion failed to push the ordinance on the ballot as a question.

“If we want to gain ground, join our allies in the state that are doing these things, this is what we have to do,” Donner concluded regarding passing the un-weakened ordinance before it went to a vote. “We need to fight for the rights of these unborn children who don’t even have a chance.” 

After the discussion, Donner’s motion to pass the final ordinance succeeded, with all but one commissioner opposing it. Anaya was the only dissenting vote, citing the town’s home rule provisions as cover.

Do you stand by Edgewood in its passage of the pro-life ordinance?

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Pro-abortion Dems planning showdown at pro-life Edgewood meeting

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The Town of Edgewood is expected Tuesday to pass a pro-life ordinance mandating compliance with the federal Comstock Act, which prohibits the illicit transport of “abortion pills” or “abortion-related paraphernalia.” The town Commission is meeting at 5:00 p.m. to discuss and vote on it appearing on the ballot.

However, the pro-abortion side of the aisle is rearing its ugly head, looking to stir the pot in the pro-life community.

Fringe legislators, such as state Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), says she will be in attendance, declaring on Twitter, “I’ll see y’all in Edgewood, NM tomorrow. We will not stand down,” adding, “I will be standing in strong opposition to this proposal and will be standing firmly for the laws we passed to ensure that EVERYONE in New Mexico has access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare!” 

However, chemical abortions, which Romero calls “reproductive healthcare,” are extremely dangerous, according to scientific studies. 

A 2021 scientific study found from FDA data between 2000 and 2019 that there were many deaths and adverse medical events directly linked to the use of mifepristone. The researchers found in their research that “[s]ignificant morbidity and mortality have occurred following the use of mifepristone as an abortifacient.”

Romero voted for all the pro-abortion bills that passed during the 2023 Legislative Session, including H.B. 7, which forces public bodies, including schools to facilitate abortions while attempting to ban localities from passing life-affirming laws. 

The Piñon Post has learned that Galisteo-area state Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Santa Fe) is also planning on attending. McQueen, like Romero, supports abortion up to birth.

The town meeting will be held at the Townhall of Edgewood Commission Chambers at 171A, State Rd. 344. A Zoom link to join is here. Find the agenda for the meeting here.

‘Rust’ armorer the apparent scapegoat in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin

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Despite actor Alec Baldwin pulling the trigger and fatally shooting Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, film armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is the one apparently taking the fall, with a court date set for August 9 on involuntary manslaughter charges.

The Santa Fe District Attorney’s office has accused Gutierrez-Reed of “sloppy mishandling of firearms.”

The New York Post reported, “The rookie had been in charge of initially loading the vintage Colt .45 revolver Baldwin ultimately used in the October 2021 disaster. But she then allegedly left the church set where the scene was being filmed and was not present when the life-ending shot was fired. She claimed later to police no one notified her the weapon was being used on the set.”

Live rounds and dummy rounds were found together on the Rust set, which is a violation of safety standards, of which Gutierrez-Reed was reportedly in charge. 

Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers said regarding her charges, “The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach … They are seeking the truth and we are also … We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated.”

Despite Baldwin claiming he did not pull the trigger that delivered the fatal shots, FBI investigators previously determined “there was no other way the shot could have been have been fired,” as the Post reports. 

Baldwin was cleared of his charges “without prejudice” last week, with his attorneys Nikas and Alex Spiro saying in a statement, “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”

Alec Baldwin gets off scot-free of criminal charges from deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
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