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New Mexico’s startling rank in national at-risk youth report

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico ranks as the second most at-risk state for youth in 2024, only led by Louisiana, according to a new report from WalletHub. The state faces significant challenges, including the highest percentage of youth without a high school diploma and high rates of disconnected youth—those neither working nor in school. 

New Mexico also ranks high in youth obesity (4th), drug use (8th), and youth poverty (8th). The report underscores the need for more focused efforts to address these issues and improve the prospects of young residents.

Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, highlighted the broader implications: “A high share of youth who are not working, not getting education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future.” 

The report suggests that targeted policies and community engagement are essential to reverse these trends and provide better opportunities for at-risk youth.

Experts suggest that policymakers and communities invest in educational and vocational programs tailored to local needs. Enhancing digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, and fostering strong support networks are also crucial. 

Programs like 4-H, which emphasize skill-building and social capital, are highlighted as effective in reconnecting disconnected youth.

The report calls for a collective effort from parents, schools, and local authorities to provide practical support and encourage education and employment among young people. 

As the state grapples with these challenges, the focus remains on creating a supportive environment that offers hope and tangible opportunities for its youth.

At-Risk Youth in New Mexico (1=Most at Risk; 25=Avg.):

  • Overall Rank: 2nd
  • 5th – % of Disconnected Youth
  • 1st – % of Youth Without a High School Diploma
  • 4th – % of Overweight & Obese Youth
  • 8th – % of Youth Drug Users
  • 6th – Youth Labor Force Participation Rate
  • 8th – Youth Poverty Rate
  • 15th – % of Homeless Youth

For more details, visit the full WalletHub report here.

Judge uses gun bans against Natives, Black slaves to uphold MLG’s gun grab

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a new ruling, a New Mexico judge has upheld the state’s new anti-gun law forcing citizens to wait seven days before purchasing a firearm. The decision, handed down by the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico’s James O. Browning, denied a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction filed by plaintiffs Samuel Ortega and Rebecca Scott. The plaintiffs argued that the Act violated their Second Amendment rights by unduly burdening their ability to purchase and possess firearms.

The court’s decision heavily relied on colonial-era historical precedents to justify the modern regulation. Judge James Browning cited early American laws that restricted firearm ownership for specific groups, such as Native Americans and Black slaves, to argue that the United States has a long history of regulating who can possess firearms. These historical laws, the judge noted, were designed to prevent individuals deemed dangerous from acquiring weapons, a principle that underpins the current Waiting Period Act.

“Colonial lawmakers, fearing the consequences of unregulated access to firearms and munitions, sought to regulate the sale of firearms and munitions,” the ruling stated. By referencing laws from the 18th and 19th centuries that prohibited the sale of firearms to Native Americans and Black slaves, the court argued that similar regulatory measures have existed since the founding of the nation.

The primary issue before the court was whether the Waiting Period Act infringed upon the Second Amendment rights of New Mexico citizens by imposing a mandatory delay on firearm purchases. The plaintiffs contended that the Act arbitrarily delayed their right to obtain arms, with significant criminal penalties for violations. However, the court found that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of their constitutional claim.

Judge Browning emphasized that the Act’s seven-day waiting period is consistent with historical traditions of firearm regulation against Black slaves and Native Americans. 

The ruling has significant implications for gun control measures in New Mexico and potentially sets a precedent for other states considering similar regulations. The judge highlighted the rise in firearm-related deaths in the United States and New Mexico, underscoring the public safety rationale behind the Act, despite proving no correlation between legal guns being the culprit for so-called “firearm-related deaths.” 

“New Mexico’s age-adjusted firearm death rate increased by eighty-seven percent between 2010 and 2021,” Browning’s ruling pointed out, citing state health department reports.

By upholding the Waiting Period Act, the court has reinforced the state’s ability to enact gun control measures aimed at reducing violence and ensuring that firearms are kept out of the hands of individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others.

Following the ruling, the Firearms Policy Coalition wrote on X, “A New Mexico federal judge denied a motion for preliminary injunction against the state’s firearm waiting period today, saying that the law is historically supported by bans on gun sales to Native Americans and slaves,” sharing a screenshot of one of the ruling’s pages. 

MLG admin. cooks up scheme to lure pro-abortion, ‘gender-affirming’ docs.

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The New Mexico Department of Health has launched a multi-state campaign aimed at attracting pro-abortion and “gender-affirming” healthcare professionals to New Mexico, per a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican.

“Every day we’re looking for ways to try to attract more people to New Mexico to meet the health care needs of our state,” Health Sec. Patrick Allen said. He emphasized that states like Texas and Arizona create a political and legal environment where healthcare providers are restricted from mutilating children and aborting babies up to birth.

The “Free to Provide” campaign, lasting one month, features online advertisements on social media in metropolitan areas of Texas and Arizona, as well as six billboards in the Medical Center Area of Houston, according to department spokesman Robert Nott, who formerly was a reporter at the New Mexican. 

The campaign cost approximately $350,000 and includes a dedicated website, freetoprovidenm.org, where healthcare workers can find information about New Mexico job opportunities, including links to the state’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program and the Rural Health Care Practitioner Tax Credit Program.

In total, the state partnered with around three dozen New Mexico hospitals and clinics, consolidating and linking their job postings on the campaign’s website, organized into five regions for easy navigation. 

Allen highlighted the collaborative effort, saying, “They were enthusiastic. They’re like us — they’re interested in trying to hire good people, and anything that we can do to make their job openings more visible is a benefit to them.”

New Mexico has faced a shortage of healthcare workers for years, requiring thousands more hires to reach a standard provider-to-population ratio, according to a 2023 report from the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee.

At the end of the four-week campaign, the department will assess its impact and consider extending or expanding the campaign to other southwestern states if necessary. 

Allen reiterated the campaign’s goal, stating, “We need more of everything everywhere, whether it’s primary care providers or OBGYNs in Albuquerque or practitioners in rural parts of the state. We’re really trying to aim at that notion of, ‘This is a good place to practice, it’s a good place to live, and you can come here and practice without some of the risks and concerns that you face in other states.’”

What was not mentioned in the ad is the cost of malpractice insurance in the state, which previously was astronomical, has been reduced to a more manageable — yet expensive — level.

NM Dems react to Biden dropping out with clear message—and one big holdout

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Sunday, Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race despite for weeks insisting he would remain the Democrats’ nominee. He quickly endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris. 

New Mexico Democrats responded with a pretty similar message: They want Kamala Harris, Biden’s choice.

New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez wrote on his X account, “I’m ready to help @KamalaHarris win New Mexico in the fall. Our Democracy, our freedoms, our way of life is at stake. Vamos con todo, @VP!!” 

The New Mexico Democrat Party touted Biden’s so-called accomplishments on its X page, writing, “We could not be more grateful for everything @JoeBiden has done for our country & Party.” 

Later in the day, it announced that its executive officers would be endorsing Harris, saying they wanted the “first Asian-American President of the United States,” referring to her Indian heritage.

Sen. Martin Heinrich endorsed Harris, calling her “an extraordinary leader with a proven track record of getting things done. As her colleague, I saw her commitment to fighting for working families up close.”

Rep. Melanie Stansbury of the First District wrote that she was “100%” behind Harris, adding, “As our Nation’s Vice President, Kamala Harris has led the way in passing generational legislation to transform our nations (sic) infrastructure, rebuild our economy, bring jobs back to the U.S, and tackle climate change.”

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez followed suit, endorsing Harris to “take the baton” from Biden.

Kamala Harris “is the leader who can bridge the divide in our country & move our nation forward,” added Rep. Gabe Vasquez of the Second District.

Sen. Ben Ray Luján chimed in, “I believe in [Kamala] Harris to continue making a positive impact in our country. She has my support to be our nominee.”

With the entire New Mexico congressional delegation behind Harris, it is unclear how successful she will be in New Mexico, as her popularity nationwide, in many cases, is worse than Biden’s. 

It is noteworthy, however, that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, an ally of Harris (who officiated the governor’s wedding in Washington, D.C.) did not endorse her in a statement wishing Biden well.

According to Emerson College polling, Trump leads Harris nationwide by six points. 

Rats! New Mexico ranks fourth in the nation for this gross metric

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

When considering areas with significant rodent issues, many might think of New York City and its well-known pizza-eating rats. However, according to recent data from Yelp, New York doesn’t even rank in the top five most rodent-infested places in the U.S.

Yelp, a website that features crowd-sourced business reviews, analyzed consumer searches in June 2024 compared to June 2023 to identify changes in the volume of pest-related queries. 

They then calculated the number of times each query was entered per million searches to determine the top states (including Washington D.C.) with the most significant pest problems.

One notable finding is the 57 percent increase in searches for mice removal from 2023. California topped the list for rodent-related pest control searches. Meanwhile, New Mexico secured the fourth spot, highlighting a surprising challenge for residents in the state.

Wyoming came in second, followed by Washington D.C., with New Mexico and Wisconsin rounding out the top five.

Yelp’s Trend Expert and Vice President of Community Expansion, Tara Lewis, remarked, “Nothing disrupts a summer hangout like the presence of a bug or rodent in your space. Whether it’s checking for termites or taking care of that wasp nest, Yelp can easily connect you to reliable pest control experts, and address infestations before they escalate.”

Yelp also shared expert tips from Terminix on maintaining a pest-free home, including eliminating food and water sources, sealing cracks and gaps, proper trash storage, keeping outdoor areas clear of debris, and inspecting basements and attics regularly.

For more detailed insights into pest control trends and tips, visiting Yelp’s platform could be highly beneficial.

Top 5 Rodent-Infested Places:

  1. California
  2. Wyoming
  3. Washington D.C.
  4. New Mexico
  5. Wisconsin

Vasquez joins Heinrich in throwing Biden ‘to the wolves’

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday, Sen. Martin Heinrich, after weeks of criticism for a limp statement on Biden’s cognitive decline, finally threw the octogenarian Democrat to the wolves and called for him to drop out of the presidential race after being a fervent supporter.

He wrote, “While the decision to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside.”

Following Heinrich’s statement, his close far-left ally, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who faces likely defeat in November at the hands of Republican former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, jumped ship as well.

Vasquez wrote, “…I believe too many of our fundamental freedoms and the wellbeing of our nation are at risk under a Trump presidency and President Biden should step aside to give Democrats the best opportunity to win this November. With abortion rights under attack and our Democracy at stake, we must unite to defeat Donald Trump and MAGA extremists.”

He added, as cover, “But make no mistake, regardless of who our nominee is, my number one job will be to take care of the people of my district and continue bringing results home to New Mexico.” 

Herrell wrote on X after the announcement, “After weeks of silence, Gabe finally throws Joe Biden under the bus because he knows his own re-election is in serious jeopardy. #NM02 will see this exactly for what it is: a desperate political stunt that continues to ignore the most important question – if Joe Biden is unfit to continue running, how is he fit to continue serving as President?”

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) wrote, “Gabe Vasquez is trying to pull the wool over voters’ eyes once again, this time with *another* election year stunt.”

“For weeks Vasquez said it was Biden’s decision to make and has avoided commenting on Biden’s mental ability despite being repeatedly asked by reporters, but now he’s changed his mind to save his own political career. Today, Vasquez pretended to throw Biden to the wolves, but nowhere in his statement did he answer the question on everyone’s minds: Is Joe Biden fit to serve as President?” 

A statement from NRCC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar read, “Everyone can see Gabe Vasquez’s statement for what it truly is, a transparent election-year ploy to try to cling to his seat. President Biden is sitting in the Oval Office because Gabe Vasquez and Democrats hid the truth from voters and lied about the president’s condition. Gabe Vasquez must answer the question: Is Joe Biden fit to serve as President?”

Heinrich bleeds supporters after he throws Biden under the bus

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday, Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, a significant shift following his previous, more reserved statements regarding Biden’s cognitive abilities and political future.

Heinrich praised Biden’s accomplishments, stating, “Joe Biden is one of the most accomplished presidents in modern history. He has led our nation through unprecedented challenges with unwavering dedication and profound integrity.” 

However, Heinrich stressed the urgency of the current political climate, emphasizing the need for a candidate capable of defeating Donald Trump, who he described as an “existential danger to our democracy.” Heinrich concluded, “While the decision to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is in the best interests of our country for him to step aside.”

This call comes amid growing concerns among Democratic lawmakers about Biden’s age and electability, particularly following a poor debate performance against Trump. Heinrich’s statement aligns with a broader narrative among some Democrats advocating for a fresh candidate to enhance the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

In the comments of his post, leftists accused the Democrat senator of “bending the knee to corporate interests,” with one commenter writing, “You just lost a long time supporter! I am 1000% behind President Biden!” 

“Yep, nothing like a corporate Dino to recommend peoples vote should be discarded for the oligarchy.  Well, they did allocate $34 trillion for themselves,” wrote another.

One constituent added, “I am one of your voting constituents. Please stop.  Support President Biden.  He CAN win. But you need to get behind him instead of failing him.  It is NOT In the best interests of the country for him to withdraw.  Primary voters chose him, not donors.”

“Unfollowed. No more campaign contributions,” one wrote, while another far-left Democrat concluded, “I couldn’t disagree more. President Biden can stand on his record and his accomplishments. He is going to win unless all of you white Senators abandon the base. It’s looks bad no matter what your perspective is. This looks bad.”

Heinrich, who is running for reelection against Republican challenger Nella Domenici, faces a tight race in New Mexico, a state that is poised to be highly competitive in the upcoming elections. Domenici has criticized the Democratic Party’s current leadership, citing issues such as inflation and border security as failures of the Biden administration.

As the political landscape evolves, Heinrich’s call for Biden to step down highlights the internal struggles within the Democrat Party and the high stakes of the 2024 election.

‘Self-righteous’ MLG throws ‘tantrum’ at Dems who killed crime special session

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, the New Mexico Legislature convened a special session called by Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to address public safety measures. The session aimed to consider eight bills related to criminal competency standards, mental health treatment, crime reporting, pedestrian safety, gun violence, drug overdoses, and wildfire relief. In the final hours before the session, the governor added three additional bills targeting fentanyl distribution and racketeering.

However, the Democrat-run House and Senate adjourned within five hours, and none of the governor’s public safety measures were enacted. The only legislation passed was HB 1, known as the “feed bill,” which allocated funds for wildfire damage relief and other expenses, including:

  • $10 million to the Mescalero Tribe for fire damage
  • $10 million for statewide wildfire mitigation
  • $10 million for FEMA-related public assistance
  • $70 million for zero-interest loans to repair infrastructure
  • $3 million for mental health programs
  • $211,900 for the special session costs

Republicans in the House attempted to add $10 million to the appropriation via a floor amendment to send equipment and resources to New Mexico’s border regions to help apprehend the flow of deadly Chinese fentanyl seeping through the southern border. Democrats refused even to consider the amendment, claiming it was not “germane” despite fentanyl being in the governor’s proclamation. The Democrats voted to kill the amendment on a party-line vote.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, emphasized on the Senate floor that he urged the governor to sign the provisions into law to rebuild collaborative relationships between government branches, as the relationship has deteriorated as Democrats have rejected the governor’s proposals.

Leading Democrat legislators expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the governor’s proposed bills, particularly regarding mental health legislation, which they claimed lacked input from relevant advocates. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth stated, “We certainly look forward to working with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. We have done some terrific work together. And I hope we can continue to do that work.” House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, noted the equal branches of government, asserting that the Legislature has previously invested significantly in public safety.

Following the session’s adjournment, Governor Lujan Grisham issued a sharp rebuke of the Legislature’s inaction:

“This legislature just demonstrated that it has no interest in making New Mexico safer. Not one public safety measure was considered. Not one, despite the bills having the backing of police chiefs, public safety unions, mayors, prosecutors, businesses, tribal leaders, crime victims, and others who have seen firsthand the erosion of public safety that has deeply damaged the quality of life in our state.”

She continued, highlighting her recent visit to a neighborhood plagued by crime and criticizing the Legislature for ignoring these stark realities:

“The legislature as a body walked away from their most important responsibility: keeping New Mexicans safe… The legislature should be embarrassed at their inability to summon even an ounce of courage to adopt common-sense legislation to make New Mexicans safer.”

Governor Lujan Grisham called the day “one of the most disappointing” of her career and urged the public to be outraged. She promised to continue fighting for the safety of New Mexicans.

Blogger Pete Dinelli opined, “The only thing the Governor accomplished is having a little temper tantrum complete with self-righteous rhetoric for all the world to see for not getting her way that was beneath the dignity of her office.”

Despite vast opposition, MLG trucks ahead with likely futile special session

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Wednesday, Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference to announce her call for the special session she has proclaimed to begin at noon on Thursday. 

Despite vast opposition from her own party on her five crime-related bills that would increase penalties for felons in possession of firearms and holding mentally ill individuals pending trial, among other measures — all opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union and a compact of many other leftist groups that say the policies are rushed or useless. 

Flanked by Democrat Mayor Tim Keller to her right and Lt. Gov. Howie Morales and First Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman to her left, the defiant governor said, “Tomorrow at noon, we’re asking lawmakers to do right by New Mexico families.”

“Not one day I don’t see this behavior,” referring to homelessness and crime.

Keller said, “I am here in solidarity” with social workers and police departments.” He claimed that “people with a badge” said a special session was correct to call. 

“I do appreciate the governor’s courage to call this,” he continued, bemoaning the fact that New Mexico has a part-time legislature. He said special sessions are the “only way to work on urgent problems.” 

Bregman said to the governor, “Thank you for shining a light on these important issues. I don’t think anybody can deny the fact we have a crime problem.” He applauded the governor’s proposed criminal competency bill and bill to increase the penalties for all felons (including nonviolent felons) in possession of firearms to 12 years of mandatory sentences. 

Morales said the special session is to address “consistencies” he sees being brought forward across the state. He said it was a “business,” “environmental,” and “education” special session.

In a move meant to save face, the governor added to her call legislation for compensation to Ruidoso’s fire victims, who suffered massive losses earlier in the summer due to two wildfires — one said to be lightning-related and one that is suspected arson. 

The bills she is demanding be addressed include legislation that would impose “civil commitment and outpatient treatment,” ban people from panhandling on “medians,” address “gun violence,” including increasing penalties for “felons in possession,” addressing racketeering laws to “stem the rise of organized crime by effectively prosecuting” criminals, address “drug overdoses” due to fentanyl, and compensate the South Fork/Salt Fire victims.

“I’m no stranger to what is available,” she said regarding a question about calling as many special sessions as necessary to ram through her agenda. 

When asked about her own party bucking her agenda, she said, “That’s for them to answer about why,” hoping they would not be “playing politics” with the special session.

“This isn’t about doing the work to coming to [an] agreement…. This is about a Legislature, the day the last session started, were not willing to discuss these proposals,” Lujan Grisham said to reporters regarding Democrats in the Legislature who buck her proposals. “There’s still time” to discuss these bills, she said. 

“We’ve added the relief for Ruidoso, we’ve added the racketeering bill, we’ve added the fentanyl bill,” she said regarding the changes she made in her proposals since Monday’s press conference from Democrat leadership, who said they opposed her agenda.

“If they just adjourn, people in Ruidoso who didn’t create a fire — don’t deserve this — could lose an opportunity to know that their house gets saved,” she said. 

ACLU, progressives ramp up pressure against MLG’s special session

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Tuesday, during a meeting of the Legislative Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee, multiple members of the public came out in opposition to Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s so-called “crime” agenda she plans for her upcoming special session, which she has set to begin Thursday.

Members of the public, almost entirely leftists, said bold statements about the governor’s five proposed bills, characterizing them as failing to “get at the root of the problem,” “unconstitutional and unproductive,” “failed approaches,” and claims that the governor is using homeless people as a wedge issue or a “scapegoat.” 

The American Civil Liberties Union wrote on X, “While the governor seems intent on ignoring the requests from our communities, please urge our lawmakers to tell her they don’t support her call for a special legislative session.”

In a petition it shared, the ACLU added, “[T]his call is unpopular within members of her own party who want to work on real solutions to public safety, not empty gestures that will only make us less safe. The governor’s proposals will not advance public safety in New Mexico — but they will pose serious risks to New Mexicans’ rights, dignity, health, and autonomy.”

“The governor’s rushed special session lacks meaningful community input, excluding key organizations and experts. The proposed bills share a flawed reliance on punishment and incarceration instead of a public health approach,” concluded the group.

Despite vast opposition from Democrats, who the governor needs to vote for her legislation in the session, and progressive groups, the “rushed” special session still looks set to begin on Thursday.

However, it is unclear what will be accomplished in the meeting of the Legislature, which might result in both or one chamber gaveling out sine die shortly after gaveling in.

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