Renato Costa, Author at Piñon Post

‘Human Rights Act’ cited by far-left pols. seeking to ban free speech at NMSU

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

A recent appearance by Matt Walsh at New Mexico State University (NMSU) has sparked controversy, prompting two New Mexico state senators to call for a review of the university’s policies that allowed Walsh to speak on campus.

Democratic State Senators Carrie Hamblen and William Soules, along with seven other government officials, including state, county, and municipal representatives, jointly penned a letter addressed to the interim president of the NMSU Board of Regents. The letter, which was reported by Young America’s Foundation, expressed their profound disappointment regarding Walsh’s presence at a Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) event held on campus in April.

In the letter, Walsh was accused of “encouraging violence” and “spouting racist and pro-slavery rhetoric.” The officials also alleged that Walsh had “minimized accusations against known pedophiles and child abusers,” though they provided no substantiation for this accusation.

The letter’s contents included a call for a serious discussion on why the university permitted such an event that, in their view, knowingly caused fear and harm to a segment of the student population. They sought information about who within the administration supported the event and what policies or actions would be implemented in the future to prevent further emotional and psychological distress among vulnerable students.

Young America’s Foundation pointed out that, as a public university, NMSU had no legal basis to prevent Walsh from speaking on campus once he had been invited by the hosting club that followed all proper procedures.

The letter also cited House Bill 207, which mandates that the state’s Human Rights Act be applicable to all New Mexico government entities, institutions, cities, counties, and public contractors. This bill includes definitions for sex, gender, gender identity, disabilities, and sexual orientation within the Human Rights Act.

Interim President Jay Gouge invited Jewel Navarette, chairwoman of the NMSU YAF, to meet with him and Senator Hamblen. Navarette, representing conservative students, emphasized their commitment to defending their First Amendment rights and reiterated their determination to uphold the principles of free speech and expression on their campus.

“We will continue to fight for the right to free speech and expression on our campus,” she affirmed. “These public officials have no right to say what kind of ideas can or cannot be expressed at NMSU.”

The letter bore the signatures of State Representative Angelica Rubio, Las Cruces Council Mayor Pro Tem Kasandra Gandara, Las Cruces City Councilors Becky Corran, Johana Bencomo, and Becki Graham, along with Doña Ana County Commissioners Shannon Reynolds and Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez.

Gov. Lujan Grisham celebrates ‘LGBTQIA2S+’ month of ‘Pride’

‘Human Rights Act’ cited by far-left pols. seeking to ban free speech at NMSU Read More »

Santa Fe school board floats banishing Fiesta Council from visiting schools

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Parents and local residents in Santa Fe expressed their frustrations on Thursday regarding a proposed resolution by the Santa Fe Public School (SFPS) that seeks to banish the Santa Fe Fiesta Council from participating in various local school activities.

According to KOAT 7, During the meeting, one participant voiced their concerns by asking, “Why are you taking so much time and attention to divide our history and culture?”

Lynette King, a parent who attended the meeting, expressed her frustration over the situation, stating, “It is heartbreaking to see our community like this.” King argued that the Fiesta Court has played a valuable role in educating youth about the history of Santa Fe and the significance of the 300-year Fiesta celebration.

Over the years, members of the Fiesta Court have visited schools, offering performances that recount the history of how the Spanish peacefully reclaimed the city from domestic terrorist and brutal murderer Popé, who his own people denounced and banished.

Many attendees of the meeting on Thursday expressed disagreement with the proposed ban, contending that the representation and activities of the Fiesta Court have contributed positively to the community.

However, the proposed resolution has garnered support from a group that chose not to provide on-camera commentary. This group contends that the story presented by the Fiesta Court does not adequately address the struggles faced by Native Americans during that historical period. They argue that the narrative inadvertently glorifies colonization and the subjugation of indigenous peoples.

Despite the differing viewpoints, parents like Lynette King maintain that the involvement of the Fiesta Court in local school activities has been beneficial for children’s education. She highlighted the positive impact on kids: “It’s just, it’s a beautiful thing. It shows kids that they can do this too… They can be a part of the community.”

The SFPS board has scheduled another meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to continue deliberating on the resolution and ultimately cast their votes on the matter. The ongoing discussions reflect the complex interplay of historical narrative, cultural representation, and community engagement as stakeholders weigh the potential effects of the proposed ban on the Fiesta Court’s involvement in local schools.

The Santa Fe schools have continued revisionist history in the past, such as stripping the name of peaceful conquistador Don Diego de Vargas from formerly De Vargas Middle School. The junior high school is now called Milagro.

Santa Fe school board floats banishing Fiesta Council from visiting schools Read More »

Maggie Toulouse Oliver tries to mess up grocery store merger

36 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Far-left Democrat New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is trying her hand at attempting to mess up a merger between Albertsons and Kroger grocery stores.

Toulouse Oliver recently added her signature to a letter co-signed by six other secretaries of state, rejecting the $24.6 billion merger — a direct attack on the free market.

Addressed to the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, the joint letter conveys the concerns of Toulouse Oliver and her leftist counterparts from Colorado, Rhode Island, Arizona, Maine, Vermont, and Minnesota. Their primary contention is that the merger would curtail consumer choice, potentially eliminating the competitive drive to lower prices and leaving consumers powerless to ensure that the companies maintain their promises of affordable prices. Moreover, they argue that the consolidation could adversely affect local farmers, small businesses, and suppliers dependent on a competitive grocery market.

*An Albertsons grocery store in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Tony Webster via Wiki Commons.*

The letter highlights potential repercussions: “If the merger goes through, the lack of competition gives Kroger-Albertsons substantial power to dictate prices that harm growers and shippers who will be forced to cut wages for their own workers.”

However, Kroger’s perspective on the matter contradicts the officials’ bloviated concerns. A spokesperson for Kroger conveyed that the opposite is likely to occur if the merger progresses. They contend that prices would decrease, consumer choice would expand, and wages would increase as a result of the merger. The spokesperson also criticized the opposition, suggesting that the real beneficiaries of preventing the merger’s completion would be large, non-unionized competitors like Walmart and Amazon. Kroger assured that the merger would not lead to layoffs or closures of stores, distribution centers, or manufacturing facilities.

Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Albertsons, unfortunately, remained inaccessible for direct comment on their stance regarding the merger.

*Kroger delivery vehicle. Phillip Pessar via Wiki Commons.*

Currently, Kroger operates 24 locations in New Mexico, including 14 in Albuquerque, all operating under the Smith’s brand. The company is a significant employer in the state, with over 2,500 employees. Similarly, Albertsons has a substantial presence in New Mexico, boasting over two dozen Albertsons Market and Albertsons stores.

While the concerns expressed by Toulouse Oliver and the other secretaries of state may reflect their commitment to preserving competitive markets, it’s crucial to critically examine the potential influence of ideology on such decisions. Toulouse Oliver’s far-left, anti-capitalist perspective might inadvertently obstruct free-market dynamics, raising questions about the balance between consumer protection and fostering market competition.

Maggie Toulouse Oliver tries to mess up grocery store merger Read More »

Lujan Grisham brags about wasting $10M on taxpayer-funded abortion mill

71 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Far-left pro-abortion up-to-birth Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently bragged in a Democrat Party of New Mexico (DPNM) fundraising email about wasting $10 million in taxpayer funds on a new abortion mill set to service Texas women who cross the border into Las Cruces.

“Throughout my tenure as Governor, I’ve worked with Democratic legislators to ensure New Mexico remains a safe place for patients and providers of abortion care and reproductive health care,” the anti-life governor wrote.

She touted her 2021 bill that stripped all protections for women, mothers, and medical professionals and effectively legalized abortion up-to-birth with a door open to infanticide — something already occurring in New Mexico.

She listed “[o]verturning New Mexico’s … abortion ban in 2021, preemptively protecting abortion rights in our state even before the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision” as an accomplishment.

“Crafting and enacting into law House Bill 7, the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Act, to prohibit municipalities and local governments from restricting access to reproductive or gender-affirming care,” she listed, along with “[p]assing Senate Bill 13, Reproductive Health Provider Protections, which I signed into law this year. This codifies my 2022 executive order to protect confidential information of patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care, including abortions, from other states’ criminal liability and discrimination.

S.B. 13 harbors criminal abortionists in the state. It bans the extradition of criminal abortionists and the sharing of information regarding such criminals with other states.

“The work doesn’t stop there. As Governor, I dedicated $10 million from my capital outlay funding for a full-spectrum reproductive health clinic in southern New Mexico,” she bragged.

State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) led the charge to strip the $10 million from the appropriation bill.

Bipartisan legislators later opposed her extremist allocation, but the bill was passed with the governor’s millions for a new abortion mill to kill more babies in the state.

She added that “we can only continue protecting abortion at the state level here in New Mexico if we continue electing Democrats to our State House and Senate, both of which are on the ballot in the next general election.”

Republicans can harness this extreme pro-abortion up-to-birth stand and help stop the far-left fringe ideas of no-limit abortion by similarly funding and promoting pro-life candidates at the ballot boxes in the upcoming 2023 municipal elections and in 2024.

Harris praises Lujan Grisham for signing bill harboring criminal abortionists

Lujan Grisham brags about wasting $10M on taxpayer-funded abortion mill Read More »

Dem donor launches ‘smear campaign’ against Dem state senator

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Allegations of sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behavior have escalated for State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, leading to an additional ethics complaint filed against him. A veteran Albuquerque Democrat with a ten-year tenure in the Legislature, Ivey-Soto is now confronted with accusations of violating the Financial Disclosure Act, the Lobbyist Regulation Act, and the Governmental Conduct Act.

The ethics complaint, submitted by Santa Fe-based attorney Daniel Yohalem, alleges that Ivey-Soto capitalized on his position as a source of county clerks’ services, constituting payments for technical aid, legal advice, and lobbying services, thereby contravening state law.

Yohalem has spent over $3,500 in the last few election cycles electing Democrats to the state House and Senate. He appears to be related to Jane B. Yohalem, who was narrowly elected to the New Mexico Court of Appeals in 2020 and retained in 2022. Daniel Yohalem gave Jane Yohalem $5,000 in her 2020 race.

The complaint from Mr. Yohalem claims Ivey-Soto leveraged his political influence for personal and financial gain, causing a conflict of interest by simultaneously serving the county clerks and executing his duties as a state senator, thereby impeding the well-being of his clients and New Mexico residents at large.

Ivey-Soto refrained from directly addressing the claims outlined in the complaint. Instead, he asserted his intention to respond through the channels the New Mexico Ethics Commission provided, stating to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “I’m not going to try it in the media.” He characterized the complaint as a smear campaign aimed at his expulsion from the Legislature, suggesting that its exposure in various news outlets was indicative of its political nature.

The complaint, spanning 20 pages and accompanied by more than 100 pages of corroborative documentation, further alleges that Ivey-Soto consistently failed to fully disclose his financial interests, going so far as to promote legislation that obscured the sources of his compensation while augmenting his personal revenue. It claims that he transformed his for-profit consulting enterprise into a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in contravention of IRS regulations, consequently misleading the IRS.

The complaint also delves into allegations beyond financial improprieties. It contends that Ivey-Soto exploited his legislative position to further personal interests, pointing to previous investigations into his alleged sexual harassment and mistreatment of women within the context of the New Mexico legislature. Allegations include claims of retaliation against women who rejected his advances by obstructing their legislative priorities.

Ivey-Soto has faced a tumultuous period within his own party since a lobbyist accused him of groping her in 2015. Subsequent accusations of harassment and bullying from other women prompted calls for his resignation and reform in handling harassment allegations. While Ivey-Soto denied any wrongdoing, the state Democratic Party distanced itself from him, and he relinquished his chairmanship of the Senate Rules Committee and the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee.

NM Dems have ‘severed ties’ with Democrat lawmaker

Dem donor launches ‘smear campaign’ against Dem state senator Read More »

Gabe Vasquez sends ‘painfully out-of-touch’ email to constituents

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez from the Second District recently emailed constituents asking, “Are your bills too high right now?”

*Email sent out by Vasquez’s office asking constituents about inflation.*

Former CD-2 Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, a Republican, responded to Vasquez’s email, writing, “My opponent, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, is painfully out-of-touch with the people of New Mexico and does not deserve to represent us in Congress.”

“Vasquez acknowledges bills are too high for working families in New Mexico, but of course, he doesn’t mention how… He has voted NO on bills that would help BRING DOWN costs…. He supports Joe Biden’s OUT-OF-CONTROL inflationary spending.”

“Radical politicians like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Gabe Vasquez have created the mess we’re in, so why would we think they could get us out of it?” she wrote.

All of New Mexico’s U.S. House delegation, including Vasquez, voted against a measure that would fight inflation by promoting American energy over that of Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other foreign nations.

Vasquez won in Novemebr 2022 due to an extreme Democrat gerrymander done by the far-left state legislature.

Vasquez bragged in an August 2022 press release, “Redistricting moved the 2nd Congressional district from a Trump +12 to Biden +6 district and that is reflected in these results,” it concludes.

New Mexico is one of the top ten states feeling the pain of inflation

Gabe Vasquez sends ‘painfully out-of-touch’ email to constituents Read More »

NM Dems have ‘severed ties’ with Democrat lawmaker

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

According to a report from the Albuquerque blog called “The Paper,” the New Mexico Democrat Party has severed ties with Democrat state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto of Albuquerque amid a barrage of claims by women that he sexually harassed them, claiming “credible accusations and subsequent investigation” led to the break.

“To date, there have been accusations of eight incidents of harassment, sexual and otherwise, by Ivey-Soto against several women, many of them lobbyists, and a few of which were witnessed by others,” claimed the outlet.

“DPNM has severed ties with Senator Ivey Soto within our internal party affairs. He has been told by phone that he is not welcome at our events,” the Party wrote to the outlet in a statement.

“We have individually disinvited him from past and future DPNM events and he no longer serves on any DPNM committees or caucuses or as the regular DPNM parliamentarian, which he was for years. After being highly involved in internal DPNM affairs for years, he is no longer welcome to have any role within DPNM,” the statement concluded, according to The Paper.

Ivey-Soto has vigorously denied the allegations, saying to the blog, “I am befuddled and bewildered” by the Democrats’ move.

Fringe far-left national groups recently penned a letter to all groups associated with the senator asking them to sever ties with him. Signers included the Women’s March (led by antisemite Linda Sarsour), the National Women’s Law Center, and other low-profile “national” groups.

“As lvey-Soto has been credibly found to break basic rules of workplace conduct, he should not be in any position of power. To avoid any conflicts of interest and humiliating situations for women and survivors of sexual violence, we call upon your organization to sever ties and take any other appropriate action within your power to support the many women and survivors, including removing Ivey-Soto from panels, boards, committees; ending contracts with him; and finally, to call on him to resign from the State Senate,” the group wrote.

Ivey-Soto has served in the New Mexico Senate since 2013 and previously served as Associate Deputy Secretary of State of New Mexico for Elections, Ethics & Legal. He was also reportedly the New Mexico State Elections Director.

Dems continue eating fellow Dem alive

NM Dems have ‘severed ties’ with Democrat lawmaker Read More »

Biden to visit NM for first time since 2022 campaign stop for Lujan Grisham

27 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Joe Biden will travel to New Mexico next week as part of a three-state excursion to Arizona, Utah, and the Land of Enchantment between Monday and Wednesday.

Biden previously visited New Mexico in 2022 to stump for far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in her narrow yet successful reelection bid.

Lujan Grisham was one of the first public officials to formally endorse Biden’s announcement that he will seek another term in the White House.

“In next week’s visit, a White House official said, Biden is expected to tout provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act addressing climate change and promoting clean energy and manufacturing,” reported the Albuquerque Journal.

The Associated Press wrote, “Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.”

Lujan Grisham, Biden lie repeatedly during ABQ campaign stop

Biden to visit NM for first time since 2022 campaign stop for Lujan Grisham Read More »

Lujan Grisham again ranked one of America’s least popular governors

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

On Monday, Morning Consult released its latest gubernatorial approval poll, showing that once again Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ranked as one of the least popular governors in the United States.

According to the poll, 42 percent of respondents disapprove of her job performance, while 52 percent approve.

That makes her tied for third-least popular governor in America alongside Govs.

Lujan Grisham is only up four percentage points in popularity from the last Morning Consult poll taken in April, which had the governor at 48 percent approval.

Since then, she has had a slightly lower disapproval rating than the previous 45 percent.

The only governors worse than Lujan Grisham were Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), who had a 44 percent disapproval rating, and Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA), who had a 43 percent disapproval rating.

Other governors Lujan Grisham shares the third-worst spot with include Govs. Tate Reeves (R-MS), Greg Abbott (R-TX), Tim Walz (D-MN), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), and Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

“For Morning Consult’s state-level survey data, weights are applied to each state separately based on age, gender, education, race, homeownership, marital status, presidential voting history and — for a subset of states — race by education as well as an age-by-gender interaction. Margins of error for responses from all voters in each state range from +/-1 to +/-6 percentage points,” wrote Morning Consult.

Lujan Grisham tied for least popular governor in America

Lujan Grisham again ranked one of America’s least popular governors Read More »

After razor-thin 2022 loss, GOP state House candidate files for rematch

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Renato Costa

Retired teacher Elizabeth Winterrowd, a Republican, lost by a razor-thin margin of 133 votes in 2022’s election for New Mexico House District 53, located in Doña Ana and Otero Counties, against Democrat Rep. Willie Madrid.

She is looking to reclaim the seat for the GOP that Rep. Ricky Little formerly held before Madrid’s election in 2018.

Winterrowd’s campaign wrote in a press release, “Elizabeth has personally experienced the struggle of educating students as well as the failure of CYFD to protect New Mexican children as the mother of four grown children including one adopted through the New Mexico foster system and in her role as a special education teacher and teacher of gifted students for 17 years.”

“Parents now face a new blockade in raising their own children because of the extreme agenda carried out by Santa Fe politicians. A new law passed this session will now allow children to get life-changing, potentially endangering abortion or transgender procedures without parental knowledge or consent. Even further, those politicians are threatening schools with fines for ‘interfering.’”

The campaign contends that Madrid wasn’t present for “several critical votes.” It notes bills about free cultural programs for foster families and legislation providing funding for rural broadband.

“Since Willie Madrid has been in office, Southwest New Mexico families have been overlooked and ignored by Santa Fe politicians. At some point we have to ask ourselves, where is the guy who is supposed to represent us? Why doesn’t he speak up?” Winterrowd said. “Experience doesn’t count unless you put it to work for the people who are counting on you. I have the experience. I’m willing to put in the work. I am ready to fight for the interests of OUR district and put families first as your State Representative.”

The 53rd District, despite being redrawn in 2022 to favor Democrats, has remained competitive, as evidenced by Winterrowd’s strong performance last November. In 2020, Madrid held his seat by only 38 votes, and in 2018, a terrible year for Republicans, Madrid won the seat by 291.

To learn more about Winterrowd, visit LizForNM.com.

After razor-thin 2022 loss, GOP state House candidate files for rematch Read More »

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