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KOB poll on financial literacy delivers shocking results

11 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

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. 

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

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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?

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Former New Mexico governor declared deceased

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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. 

Former New Mexico governor declared deceased Read More »

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

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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.” 

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

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

23 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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.

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

6 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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.

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

1 Comment / New Mexico, News / By

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

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

Bud Light VP responsible for Dylan Mulvaney fiasco on leave of absence

3 Comments / Culture / By

Following the weeks-long outrage over Bud Light’s woke campaign featuring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, the executive responsible for the Mulvaney campaign is taking a “leave of absence” from the parent company, Anheuser Busch.

Ad Age reported that the senior executive of marketing since 2022 “has taken a leave of absence, the brewer confirmed, and will be replaced by Todd Allen, who was most recently global marketing VP for Budweiser. Heinerscheid did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.”

The outlet further reported, “The brewer has also streamlined its marketing function to reduce layers “so that our most senior marketers are more closely connected to every aspect of our brand’s activities,” a company spokesperson said in a statement, adding that “these steps will help us maintain focus on the things we do best: brewing great beer for all consumers, while always making a positive impact in our communities and on our country.”

Heinerscheid recently addressed the conflict on the Make Yourself At Home podcast, saying Bud Light’s previous marketing was “fratty” and “out of touch.”

She said, “This brand is in decline, it’s been in decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand, there will be no future… it’s like we need to evolve and elevate this incredibly iconic brand. What does evolve and elevate mean? It means inclusivity… it means having a campaign that’s truly inclusive and feels lighter and brighter and different. And appeals to women and to men.”

Since the Dylan Mulvaney fiasco erupted on social media, the company has lost approximately $6 billion in valuation, with other brands that have not alienated their customers, such as Yeungling, seeing a significant bump in sales. 

All of the beer brands to boycott amid Dyland Mulvaney’s Bud Light partnership

Bud Light VP responsible for Dylan Mulvaney fiasco on leave of absence Read More »

NM’s all-Dem U.S. House delegation votes against protecting women’s sports

27 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved on a 219-203 vote, H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which will ensure the protection of Title IX, which passed over 50 years ago to protect women. 

The bill’s passage would assert “that it is a violation of Title IX to allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities, including in public elementary and secondary schools and in colleges and universities),” according to the Republican Party of New Mexico.

“Under the bill, sex is based on an individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth. H.R. 734 does not prohibit male individuals from training or practicing with programs or activities for women or girls as long as such training or practice does not deprive any female of corresponding opportunities or benefits,” wrote the group.

All three of New Mexico’s U.S. congressional representatives voted “NAY” on the resolution.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico’s First Congressional District, claimed the bill to protect women was a “hateful right-wing campaign” against “trans” kids.

“I oppose H.R. 734 because I want our transgender kids to feel accepted, safe, and included. I want them to live,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, the Democrat who represents New Mexico’s Third Congressional District. She claimed instead of protecting women’s and girls’ sports, Congress should focus on gun control. 

In another post, Leger Fernandez claimed the bill was about “legislating trans people out of existence.”

Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico’s Second Congressional District was noticeably silent over the issue, although he voted against the measure.

NM’s all-Dem congressional reps. vote against lower energy prices

NM’s all-Dem U.S. House delegation votes against protecting women’s sports Read More »

Organizers seek to overturn extreme laws via NM’s referendum process

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Organizers from across New Mexico through the group Better Together New Mexico seek to overturn extreme bills passed during the 2023 Legislative Session via ballot referendums. 

The group wrote on a sign-up form, “Did you know the legislature just took away many of your rights during this 2023 legislative session?” 

“Soon you will have NO RIGHT to secure elections because of HB 4 & SB 180. If HB 7, SB 13, SB 397 become law, parents will have NO RIGHT to be aware that their child is having an abortion or gender transitioning at school,” wrote the group.

“And because of HB 7, it’s now illegal for counties, cities, and even teachers to opt out of abortion and transitioning school clinics. These bills are just a few of the damaging bills that passed this year. You may hear about other bills to fight in the days to come. Are you frustrated by the government’s rule over your life? Now’s your chance to stop it!” 

The group noted, “We are gathering signatures for referendums to stop those bills before they become law and get them on the ballot in 2024 for the people to decide! 

Many of the extreme bills passed the legislature with virtually no Republican support, which fundamentally change the rights of parents and open up New Mecico’s elections to interference through corrosive election policies, such as an opt-in automatic absentee ballot list, among other measures. 

However, Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s office is trying to stop Better Together New Mexico from setting up the referendum.

The SOS office’s spokesman, Alex Curtas, told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “None of the requests submitted by Better Together New Mexico or affiliated individuals [have] met the strict legal requirements for referendum petitions, and it would be completely irresponsible for the Secretary of State to approve a referendum petition for circulation and signature by voters of this state if it is not in the format required by law and most importantly, if it is constitutionally exempt from being challenged by referendum petition.” 

He added, “To date, following the 2023 Legislative Session, the Secretary of State has not received a single petition that meets even the basic technical requirements as to form under [New Mexico] law.”

Larry Sonntag of Better Together New Mexico told the New Mexican, “She’s not doing her job of approving the format for the referendums to go forward.” He said she is putting up “unnecessary roadblocks,” claiming, “She’s kicked back some of them based on a hyphen or a comma. That type of red tape, governmental obstruction to what’s allowed in the Constitution is not acceptable.”

To find Better Together New Mexico’s sign-up form to collect signatures in your area of the state, click here.

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