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Reports show projections for NM’s cash cow: Oil and gas

19 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

New Mexico’s far-left legislative majorities in the legislature and two-term stronghold on the governorship have achieved extreme policies thanks to the billions garnered from the oil and gas boom.

The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) released a July 21 report showing revenue at $8.99 billion through March for Fiscal Year 2023, running from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. That figure is up $1.9 billion or 27 percent.

However, the IHS Markit and Moody’s Investors Service reports show a projected decline in oil and gas production after peaks between 2028-2033.

“This could mean the start of a decline in New Mexico’s now-booming oil and gas production, dropping from a forecast 2 million bopd in 2030 to as low as about 500,000 bopd by 2050, according to the presentation,” reported the Carlsbad Current-Argus.

New Mexico’s Chief Economist Leo Delgado said, “You can see New Mexico is currently on the upslope of that oil production trendline with production expected to increase in the next couple of years,” adding, “You see that it’s on the upslope, but it does start to plateau in the early 2030s before it starts to gradually decline.”

He noted that New Mexico’s wells are “highly-productive” in “the first few months of operations, but taper off quicky, meaning more wells must be drilled and put into service,” the report noted.

“New Mexico has some very productive wells, very high-yield wells, very conducive well economics, low break-even points,” he said. “In order to maintain those levels of production, that activity must continue.”

“The expectation is production will slow. It will be at a much slower pace and that’s where we start to see New Mexico production still at elevated levels but at a declining rate year over year when we look at the long-term,” he continued, according to the Current-Argus.

With anti-energy Democrats currently in charge of the state, their eco-left, job-killing policies cause the projected decline and thus their cash cow for high-ticket investments, including taxpayer-funded “free” college and “universal” free daycare.

Reports show projections for NM’s cash cow: Oil and gas Read More »

NM Health Dept. school survey asks children disturbing sexual questions

31 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

An intake survey recently uncovered by the New Mexico House Republicans shows that Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is using an intake survey with disturbing sexual questions at the state’s 80 school-based health centers.

There are two survey versions, one for children up to 11 and one for 11 and up.

“Young people like you can be seen for their sexual and mental health without permission from their parent or guardian,” the survey reads.

The one for the younger kids asks whether the student is “male, female, or transgender,” and the one for children 11 years and older asks if the child is “straight, gay/lesbian, or bisexual.”

Other questions from the 11 and up survey ask questions including relationship status, with the option for an “open relationship,” whether the child has had sex, including anal, vaginal, or oral, whether the child has ever “sexted,” whether the child has had sex with transgender men or transgender women, whether the child has had vaginal, oral, or anal sex [with definitions of what these terms mean], and whether the child’s sex partner has sex with both men and women.

Other disturbing questions include pronouns that include “They/Them/Their,” “Zi/Hir/Hirs,” and “No pronouns, just my name.”

The questionnaire also asks multiple questions about various illicit drugs and whether these drugs have been used before or after sexual intercourse.

A letter obtained by the New Mexico House Republicans showing NMDOH’s communications director outlining the specifics of the survey reads, “The survey is administered on an iPad either the day of the SBHC visit or through a web link that is designed to only be valid 24-hours prior to a scheduled visit ensuring up-to-date data for clinical use.”

“The surveys are designed to assure patients feel safe and are easy to use. Patients can answer questions they feel comfortable with and skip those they do not want to answer. Questions are added as health risks are identified. They also have the choice not to respond to the questionnaire at all.”

During the 2023 Legislative Session, fiery debate ensued over these school-based health centers pushing abortions and gender-affirming care on children, accusations that Democrats denied. These new revelations show merit in the concerns of conservative legislators.

The House Republicans have released a consent form for parents and guardians to mandate notification before their child accesses medical and behavioral health services or some instructional materials.

Amid radical woke agenda, NM House GOP offering parents legal option

NM Health Dept. school survey asks children disturbing sexual questions Read More »

Criminal who fatally shot Alamogordo Officer Ferguson formally charged

6 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

On Tuesday, the New Mexico State Police formally charged Dominic De La O in the fatal shooting of Alamogordo Police Department Officer Anthony Ferguson last Saturday.

*Officer Ferguson via the Alamogordo Police Department.*

The State Police wrote, “Twelfth Judicial District Attorney Scot D. Key, announced today that an Otero County Grand Jury returned true bills of indictment on 10 counts against Dominic De La O, in connection with the incident on July 15, 2023, which resulted in the death of Officer Anthony Ferguson of the Alamogordo Police Department.”

“True bills included one count of First-Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate) a capital felony; Tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fourth-degree felonies; two counts of Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer, both misdemeanors; two counts of Criminal Trespass, both misdemeanors; and Improper Equipment — Driving a Vehicle at night without Lighted Lamps.”

*Mugshot of Dominic De La O via New Mexico State Police.*

The Department added, “Although De La O has been held in custody on a separate case, following this indictment, District Attorney Key filed an Expedited Motion for Pretrial Detention. Similar to a motion filed by the State in October 2022, DA Key is requesting that De La O be held in custody pending trial. In the Expedited Motion, Key cited De La O’s criminal history, argued that he continues to be a danger to the community, and petitioned the court to make a finding that no conditions of release will adequately protect the community.”

De La O was previously arrested in January after brandishing a gun on a police officer but was allowed pretrial release under the state’s failed laws that have removed cash bail — allowing violent offenders back on the streets.

He violated his pretrial release Wednesday by attending a party where a warrant was issued for his arrest. The perpetrator was stopped on Saturday during a routine traffic stop where he pulled the gun, which was obtained illegally, on Officer Ferguson, causing the fatal injury to the esteemed law enforcement officer. Officer Ferguson was transported to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center and later flown to the Univeristy Medical Center of El Paso, where he passed away.

According to New Mexico State Police, “New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.”

Officer Ferguson is the first Alamogordo Police Department officer killed in the line of duty since Clint Corvinus in 2016. Officer Ferguson was nominated for Officer of the Year in 2019 and has honorably served Alamogordo throughout the years.

Alamogordo officer succumbs to his injuries after Saturday shooting

Criminal who fatally shot Alamogordo Officer Ferguson formally charged Read More »

MLG’s abortion hotline referring women to ‘The Satanic Temple’ abortion facility

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

Public records obtained by New Mexico Alliance for Life reveal that the state’s pro-abortion Democrat Gov. Lujan Grisham’s taxpayer-funded abortion hotline is referring women to The Satanic Temple Health (TST Health) abortion facility – advertised as “the world’s first religious abortion clinic.”

Additionally, New Mexico Alliance for Life found that only 13 of the 33 abortion clinics women are referred to are in-state businesses, while 20 are out-of-state: from Bethesda, Maryland, Seattle, Washington, to Wichita, Kansas.

The in-state state taxpayer-funded abortion referral list includes Presbyterian Health of Espanola, five Las Cruces area abortion businesses, six Albuquerque, one Santa Fe, and one Farmington.

“Why are taxpayers of New Mexico forced to promote the satanic temple religious abortion center through the pro-abortion governor’s hotline,” said Elisa Martinez. “Is the state of New Mexico fully disclosing to women that “TST Health” is a satanic ritualistic abortion center and that abortion is not a life-saving procedure or that it involves the ending of an innocent human life?”

Earlier this month, Governor Lujan-Grisham announced the establishment of the abortion referral hotline using taxpayer funds. During this year’s legislative session, she also allocated $10 million in taxpayer dollars to fund an abortion center in Doña Ana County.

According to an investigation released this month by the pro-life group Abortion Free New Mexico (AFNM), Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recently created “reproductive health” hotline through the New Mexico Department of Health appears to be doing as expected — pushing abortion and only abortion.

New Mexico’s abortion rate has doubled since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year. In 2021, New Mexico abortion businesses reported 4,900 abortions. That number jumped to 11,000 in 2022. In 2023, New Mexico abortion businesses ended the lives of 5,300 innocent babies.

Disturbing truth uncovered about Lujan Grisham’s abortion hotline: Report

Satanic abortion cult suing Texas connected to Michelle Lujan Grisham

MLG’s abortion hotline referring women to ‘The Satanic Temple’ abortion facility 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 »

‘Mark my words’: Dem senator claims gerrymandering case ‘going nowhere’

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

Democrat Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) is acting rather cocky about litigation regarding New Mexico’s congressional map, which he gerrymandered to benefit Democrats by splitting up communities of interest to shift the state’s Republican-leaning Second Congressional District to favor Democrats now.

The state Supreme Court ordered the lower court to decide the case by October, denying the Democrats’ motion to squelch the lawsuit at the state level.

Cervantes claimed he did not gerrymander the map, despite clear signs of partisan gerrymandering and cracking communities of interest, resulted in snake-like districts that spanned everywhere from Española and Taos to Lovington in the Third District, while Albuquerque’s South Valley was plunged into the Second District and the First District paired Albuquerque with Roswell.

The map also chopped up many communities into two or three parts, such as Roswell, Hobbs, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and others. The new map shifted the Second District from leaning toward Republicans by 14 points to now favor Democrats by four points.

Cervantes still claims he redrew the map to create “competitive districts.” However, Princeton University’s Gerrymandering Project’s independent review shows zero competitive congressional districts with the new map.

The Las Cruces state senator is doubling down on his claims that the bipartisan lawsuit lodged against the maps is “going nowhere.”

“I was amused by your piece saying I was as wrong as a politician can be,” Cervantes wrote to Santa Fe New Mexican’s Milan Simonich, who admonished the unfair maps. “A bit premature of you, I’d say. But I stand by my statement. The lawsuit is going nowhere. … The Court will uphold the districts. Mark my words.”

“Funny,” Cervantes continued. “But it’s my business to predict court outcomes and application of the laws. We’ll know the outcome and can settle up then.”

The gerrymandering case will be a key milestone in New Mexico for fair maps. Similar states, such as New York, had its high court strike down the Democrat partisan gerrymander of its congressional map, showing even in far-left states, there is cause to be hopeful for maps that are representative of the population — not just a political party’s quest for unlimited power.

‘Mark my words’: Dem senator claims gerrymandering case ‘going nowhere’ Read More »

Governor’s sexual abuse accuser’s sister says he is dead

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

According to multiple sources, Phoenix-based consultant James Hallinan, a conservative Democrat, passed away on Thursday.

Hallinan made headlines in New Mexico after he claimed that in 2018 then-U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is now governor, poured water over his crotch area and groped him in front of multiple witnesses.

Lujan Grisham’s campaign subsequently paid Hallinan $150,000 after the allegations surfaced ahead of her 2022 reelection campaign.

Political blogger Joe Monahan posted on Twitter Friday, “NM political consultant James Hallinan is dead at 40.” A quote from his sister Marisa read, “With much sadness we share that our beloved and brilliant brother and son James Hallinan died on Thursday. At this time of deep sadness we thank you for your conveyed sentiments and support.”

Monahan noted, “No cause given” regarding his cause of death.

“In lieu of a formal ceremony, we ask that those who knew him spend time celebrating his life in a way that honors the joyous times you spent with him,” Hallinan’s sister wrote.

Brett Kokinadis, a former Republican Party of Santa Fe County officer, wrote on Twitter, “Waiting for confirmation, but James Hallinan is rumored to be deceased. Did you have anything to do with it Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham? I sure hope not!”

Waiting for confirmation, but James Hallinan is rumored to be deceased. Did you have anything to do with it Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham? I sure hope not!https://t.co/pKckoXs74z @GOVMLG #nm #nmpol #nmleg
— Brett Kokinadis (@Brett4NM) July 22, 2023

Albuquerque City Council candidate Dr. Joseph Pitluck Aguirre wrote in response to one of Hallinan’s tweets mourning the death of Eric Witt, a former Lujan Grisham official, “Rest in peace James.”

Rest in peace James.
— Joseph Pitluck Aguirre (@JosephPitluck) July 22, 2023

The post from Hallinan made on July 17, 2023, was his last post to the network.

Before that, the former Lujan Grisham staffer wrote on Twitter, “The level of corruption and abuse is at an all-time high in New Mexico. I’m still shocked, but I guess I shouldn’t be at this point.”

Hallinan previously had death threats made against him, as reported in October 2022.

At the time, Hallinan said, “I just need to make sure we’re documenting some of these death threats, ’cause I say it, and everybody, it’s like nobody is paying attention. I don’t know who this lady is, but I got all the screenshots,” referencing a threat from someone named “Angel” on social media.

He told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “I’m tired,” he said Thursday. “I’m tired of the continued death threats on social media and everybody trying to muscle me. I’m real tired of it. They’ve pushed me too far.”

As more details come out, the Piñon Post will keep our readers up to date on the latest from the situation.

MLG’s alleged groping victim may have info on sitting official tied to Epstein

Governor’s sexual abuse accuser’s sister says he is dead 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 »

Vasquez bankrolled by abortion up-to-birth lobby in latest fundraising haul

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By Piñon Post

Far-left Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) is trying to keep his seat in Congress, despite fierce competition from GOP former Rep. Yvette Herrell, who he narrowly beat in 2022.

Partnered up with extremist groups, he hopes to raise enough money to fend off the challenge from the GOP’s standard bearer.

In the last fundraising quarter spanning April through June, Vasquez raised $439,254.61 and spent $165,024.07.

He received large contributions from the pro-abortion lobby, with groups such as NARAL, the abortion up-to-birth group, pitching in $2,500.

The pro-abortion medical group, the American College of OB-GYNs PAC (OB-GYN PAC), donated $1,000, while relative to the University of New Mexico’s abortion trainer, Dr. Eve L. Espey, wrote big checks. Dr. David K. Espey donated $1,000 on April 26, 2023.

Other contributions included $5,000 from the pro-lockdown, pro-forced mask American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, $2,500 from the group pushing transgenderism on kids, the Human Rights Campaign, $2,832.34 from the extremist “climate groups the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the NRDC Action Fund Inc. PAC with a $960.47 donation, as well as $500 from the socialist-linked group Retake Our Democracy.

He also got help from far-left colleagues’ campaign accounts, with Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) chipping in$2,000, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) donating $1,000, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) offering $1,000, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) giving $1,000, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) putting $1,000, and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) throwing in $500.

The New Mexico House Victory Fund 2022, which was a joint committee helping New Mexico’s three far-left Democrat U.S. representatives, gave $19,964.79 to Vasquez’s reelection efforts during the fundraising period.

Vasquez spent $43,632.61 at a company called Foglamp, which is a Democrat digital strategy firm that has been used by the likes of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the anti-gun group March for Our Lives.

He also spent handsomely on fundraising services from a Virginia-based group, LaFave and Associates. Another large expense for Vasquez’s campaign was catering, meals, and travel, which totaled $22,032.89 during the three-month period.

Expenses included multiple trips to the Monocle restaurant adjacent to the U.S. Senate office building, with bills totaling p $1,002.5 and $827.80.

Former Congresswoman Herrell raised $355,911.46 during the same timeframe, spending $70,186.92.

Heinrich spent over $21K in donor cash on ‘security upgrades’ at his ‘residence’

Vasquez bankrolled by abortion up-to-birth lobby in latest fundraising haul Read More »

NM Dems fundraise off of summer temps, blame ‘MAGA extremists’

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

On Wednesday, the Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) sent out a fundraising ask, requesting donations because of summer temperatures in New Mexico, claiming “climate change” is the cause.

“Yesterday, New Mexicans endured what was the hottest day of the year– at least so far. Globally, the earth is experiencing its hottest year on record indicating that climate change is showing no signs of slowing down. Increased temperatures are also straining states’ power grids, resulting in heat-related injuries and deaths across the nation,” it wrote.

“Republicans everywhere are pushing for the ‘depoliticization’ of climate, even going so far as to claiming that scientists are being paid to make false claims or coming up with their own bogus science to ‘disprove’ the consensus,” the email continued.

“Time and time again, we’re only seeing Democrats step up to the plate to protect the climate. If we’re going to have any real chance of curbing climate change and protecting earth’s species and delicate ecosystems, we need to continue electing climate champions who will be proactive in advocating for pro-climate policies that will save our planet.”

It is unclear exactly what specifically via their anti-energy policies would “save our planet,” but paying higher taxes and forcing New Mexicans to adopt unreliable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are not proven to drop Earth’s temperature by a single degree.

Furthermore, the hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth happened over 100 years ago, when oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels were hardly used at their current capacity, brought forth by new technologies.

But the Democrats wrote to their subscribers in an attempt to solicit donations, “Can you chip in to continue electing Democrats who will fight against climate change, as opposed to climate-denying, MAGA extremist GOP politicians who don’t take it seriously?”

New Mexico Democrat politicians have also been making these melodramatic clarion calls, claiming because summer is hot that, “climate change” is just shy of roasting people alive.

Far-left U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich bemoaned, “We are all paying the price of Republican inaction on climate change.”

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, another far-leftist, wrote, “This summer is a scorcher! Friendly reminder that climate change is real and we are feeling the effects of global warming in REAL TIME. When @theestallion mentioned ‘hot girl summer,’ I don’t think this is what she meant,” referencing a song.

Despite the rhetoric, back in 1913, temperatures peaked, leaving Democrats defenseless against cold, hard facts that disprove their “climate change” hysteria.