Politics

After public fury, NM Senate panel finally lets virtual attendees testify on redistricting bill

1 Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The public still is not allowed in the Roundhouse this legislative session after Democrats demanded mandatory jabs, masks, and a ban on all firearms in the public-owned building. 

On Thursday afternoon, the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee met, which was chaired by vice-chair state Sen. Bill O’Neill (D-Bernalillo) to discuss congressional redistricting plans. O’Neill presided over the meeting since Judiciary chairman Joseph Cervantes (D-Doña Ana) was presenting the congressional district map bill, for which he was a sponsor.

After the in-person testimony of a handful of individuals ended, O’Neill demanded the body go back to discuss the bill despite many Zoom attendees, who were promised a seat at the table, wanting to be recognized. O’Neill being challenged by another member claimed, “We’re pressed for time,” adding, “We don’t have the capacity.”

The ban on virtual testimony lit a match in the comment section of the Zoom meeting, with citizens writing angry comments.

One person wrote, “Wow, how messed up!

Another citizen commented, “I’m not understanding why there is not enough time to hear remote public comments?”

“[T]his is messed up!!! and unfair!!!” one individual proclaimed. 

“Shame on the Senate for ignoring public input,” another commenter wrote. “A perfect example of bad leadership. Good leaders listen and do not impose self-interests by squashing public comment.” 

Finally, O’Neill reluctantly permitted public comment right before the final vote on the bill, blaming technology for not being able to permit it before. 

Surprisingly, all of the public commenters who testified via Zoom were in opposition to the proposed congressional map, including the brother of Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Martín. In the proposed map, Leger Fernandez’s district is poised to be drawn to be much more Republican. The district which is currently a D+14 district would be redrawn to a mere D+4 partisan advantage, with the addition of conservative southern New Mexico communities, including Lovington, northern Hobbs, and all of Portales, according to FiveThirtyEight’s analysis. Leger Fernandez only won the D+14 district by 16.8 points. 

The move came as Democrats, in the attempt at getting another Democrat representative by skewing the current Second District, which is an R+8, to a D+4, may be actually harming their own Democrat representative from the Third District.

“What the S.B. 1 bill does it is really destroys that community of interest,” Martín Leger told the committee, referring to acequia communities. “Many of you have very, very large districts and you understand how hard it is to represent those various areas of your district. The S.B. 1 would make it really [difficult]. I mean, from going from Gallup all the way to Roswell… is not a good way to have a representative represent their constituents. The acequia to the oil patch are not communities of interest.” 

“If there’s nobody in the public in favor of it, why is it still being pushed?” asked Leger. 

Michael Sperberg-McQueen of Rio Arriba County said, “I was very happy when we created a Citizen Redistricting Committee,” Ne noted, “I don’t suppose redistricting is ever nonpartisan, but states seem to have better results when they have independent bodies drawing maps and not people who are necessarily assailed by the exigencies of political self-preservation.”

“If you find that you cannot keep your fingers off of it … there needs to be a detailed explanation of why the CRC maps were not good enough,” concluded Sperberg-McQueen. 

Despite all the opposition to the proposed map, it passed the Senate committee on a vote of 6-3, now making its way to the Senate floor.

Other redistricting bills: The House will discuss H.B. 8, redrawing state House districts, on the floor Friday, according to the floor calendar. 
Senate Bill 2, revising maps for state Senate districts, is awaiting action from one committee after it passed another on Thursday. “It would establish 27 Democratic-leaning districts, similar to the total now. Democrats have held 26 or 27 seats in recent years,” the Albuquerque Journal reports.

After public fury, NM Senate panel finally lets virtual attendees testify on redistricting bill Read More »

Extremely gerrymandered congressional map proposal moves forward

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An extreme proposal, S.B. 1, by Democrats to selectively gerrymander New Mexico’s congressional map while hiding under the guise of “representation” for Native American communities, is moving forward after it passed the Senate Rules Committee on a party-line vote of 7-4.

What the map does: The map completely changes the layout of New Mexico’s congressional map, robbing Albuquerque of the South Valley by plunging it into the Second Congressional District. The First District then eats up chunks of Valencia County, all of Torrance and Lincoln Counties, as well as bits of Otero County. The First District then extends in a snake-like shape all the way north to the outskirts of Santa Fe.

The Third District is even more strange-looking, by eating up northern Hobbs, all of Lovington, Roswell, and much of Artesia, while it extends up to Santa Fe, Taos, and the northeast corner of the state. 

Why it matters: According to FiveThirtyEight’s analysis of the map, it would turn all of New Mexico’s districts to Democrat hands, with the First District a D+12, the Second a D+4, and the Third a D+4. This could rob representation from New Mexicans in rural areas by diluting their voice.

FiveThirtyEight analysis of the new map.

What you can do: The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on the newly redrawn congressional district map at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 9. It is unclear if public comment will be taken, but the meeting information can be found here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88289763031 to join the Webinar, or via telephone 1-669-900-9128 – Meeting ID: 882 8976 3031

Also happening today: The Senate Rules Committee will be meeting on Thursday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss redrawing of state Senate maps, which are also heavily Democrat gerrymandered. The details to that meeting are below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88408775084 to join the Webinar, or via telephone 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 884 0877 5084 

Extremely gerrymandered congressional map proposal moves forward Read More »

NM Dems advance extreme partisan gerrymandered legislative, U.S. House maps

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It is only the third day of the special legislative session focused on redistricting and Democrat legislators have already rammed through nearly all their favorite state House and congressional maps through their first committees.

On the House side, the Government and Indian Affairs Committee advanced the far-left H.B. 8, which is a model of the Center for Civic Policy dark money George Soros-funded group’s map. The proposal passed on a party-line vote of 6-3 after Republicans fumed at the partisan nature of the map, which deviated more than 10% from district to district, a clear violation of best practices in implementing the Voting Rights Act.

Rep. Daymon Ely (D-Corrales) claimed of the CCP-created map, that “House Bill 8 is a composite of the tribal interest as we heard about them yesterday. The consensus that was reached between the all pueblo council.” The partisan map now moves forward to be considered in the House Judiciary Committee before a final floor vote. That committee is expected for Thursday morning.

This is what the House Democrats’ state House map looks like:

In the Senate, the Rules Committee rammed through another leftist map, S.B. 1, that would plunge the South Valley of Albuquerque into the Second District to weaken the Republican voting share of the conservative district represented by GOP Congresswoman Yvette Herrell. The map would not take into consideration communities of interest, including forcing northern Hobbs into a district with northern New Mexico. Heavy partisan gerrymandering is detected on the map. 

It passed the Senate Rules Committee on a party-line vote of 7-4.

This is what the Senate Democrats’ congressional map looks like:

The House is expected to reconvene on the floor at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, while it is unclear when the Senate will meet again.

The Piñon Post has been working throughout the redistricting process, from the very first committee hearing on the independent redistricting bill, throughout the committee process, to now to advocate for fair maps in New Mexico. Once committee information gets published for tomorrow’s committee hearings, the Piñon Post will update this information on our website in the fight for a redistricting process that values all New Mexicans.

NM Dems advance extreme partisan gerrymandered legislative, U.S. House maps Read More »

Conservatives take over ABQ City Council with Dist. 9 win for Renee Grout

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On Tuesday, Albuquerque held runoff elections in Districts 7 and 9. Conservative candidate Renee Grout officially won District 9, defeating leftist Robert Grilley while far-left Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn won in District 7, defeating conservative Lori Robertson, with all precincts reporting. 

Fiebelkorn garnered 62% of the vote over Robertson’s 38% while Grout came out with 52% of the vote over Grilley’s 48%. 

The flipping of District 9 makes it official that conservatives have flipped Albuquerque’s City Council — a referendum on socialist Democrat Mayor Tim Keller, who recently won reelection due to two candidates splitting the moderate and right-leaning votes among them on the November 2 election.

With the electoral win of conservatives Tim Lewis over leftist Cynthia Borrego in District 5 and Louie Sanchez’s win over leftist Lan Sena, the council will now be a 5-4 conservative majority. Although Sanchez is a registered Democrat, he is a conservative.

On Facebook following the news of Grout’s win, she wrote, “Thank you District 9 for your support. I am humbled by this opportunity to represent you and move Albuquerque forward. I’m so excited about what the future holds for our beautiful city.”

New Mexicans cheered Grout’s win while applauding Robertson for running a spirited race.

One commentator wrote on Twitter,

“CONGRATS TO RENEE GROUT for winning ABQ City Council, District 9. Can’t wait to see what’s next for Lori Robertson. She fought off voters for 5Dems and did a hell of a good job! A huge thanks to ALL of the volunteers!”

Michaela Chavez, a former Bernalillo County Republican Party official wrote on Facebook,“Lori… Robertson you ran an amazing campaign. It was my honor to help you in the capacity that I did. I learned a lot by being on the flip side and not the candidate. I thank you for running and putting yourself out there for all of Albuquerque. Renee Grout congratulations on your win. We have gained tonight.”

Conservatives take over ABQ City Council with Dist. 9 win for Renee Grout Read More »

Bipartisan legislators introduce bill to limit governor’s emergency powers

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Although the second 2021 Special Session of the Legislature is preliminary regarding redrawing congressional, legislative, and Public Education Commission districts, other topics are being brought before the body, including one proposal, H.B. 10, aimed at limiting the Governor’s emergency powers. 

“A declaration of a state of emergency issued pursuant to the All Hazard Emergency Management Act shall cease to be in effect after ninety days unless the governor calls the legislature into special session to address the circumstances of the state of emergency,” reads the bill sponsored by Reps. Greg Nibert (R-Roswell) and Daymon Ely (D-Corrales). 

“The special session called pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall convene no later than the ninetieth day after the initial declaration of the state of emergency,” the bill adds. 

If the Legislature does not act to restrict the Governor’s powers, then they will automatically be ended 60 days following its extension.

The bill would implement a specific framework a state of emergency must abide by, including information regarding the following:

(1) the nature of the public health emergency;

(2) the political subdivisions or geographic areas affected by the public health emergency;

(3) the conditions that caused the public health emergency;

(4) the expected duration of the public health emergency, if less than thirty days;

(5) the public health officials needed to assist in the coordination of a public health emergency response; and

(6) any other provisions necessary to implement the executive order.

Although co-sponsors other than Ely and Nibert are not mentioned, state Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), said, “I just signed onto HB 10.” She wrote, “In simple terms, the Governor would no longer be all-powerful and instead be required to ask for permission from the legislation to extend the mandates.”

The proposal comes after Gov. Lujan Grisham, a far-left Democrat and alleged sexual predator, has extended the public health emergency for nearly two years, leading to devastation in New Mexico, including the shuddering of 40% of small businesses in the state.

Bipartisan legislators introduce bill to limit governor’s emergency powers Read More »

MLG is so toxic, she caused a far-left legislator to leave the Democrat Party

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On Monday, the second 2021 Special Session commenced in Santa Fe, with the public being required to wear masks, have jabs, and leave their guns at home in an increasingly hostile environment begun by Democrats at the Legislature.

The special session, meant for redistricting congressional, legislative, and Public Education Commission districts, began with a bang. Following weeks of hostility from Democrat leaders, such as Senate Pro-Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo), far-left state Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Bernalillo) finally had it with the Democrats’ bullying. He announced he was leaving the Democrat Party over its partisanship and toxicity.

Candelaria said, “I don’t think anyone can look at … the unconstitutional acts of this governor and not conclude that this partisan virus is starting to affect who we are as a country,” referring to Michelle Lujan Grisham

He mentioned how the Democrats’ special session was merely a way to ram through as much partisanship as possible by gerrymandering maps to benefit Democrats. 

“I don’t think that the decisions we make should be based on partisan ambitions, and it broke my heart to see already that the Senate maps deliberately dilute and gerrymander the west side of Albuquerque to preserve perceived partisan advantage for some members of the Democratic Party,” he said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “You would strip representation from people that I represent, many of whom are Hispanic, simply because it benefits you at the ballot box.”

Candelaria said he’s “done playing this game” and has submitted forms to change his party registration to “Decline to State.”

Will Reinert of the Republican Governors Association said, “Senator Candelaria saw the same thing New Mexicans are beginning to recognize — that Michelle Lujan Grisham always thinks she is above the law,” He added, “Senator Candelaria’s wise decision is just the beginning of what is going to be a long campaign season for Governor Lujan Grisham as voters begin to examine her failed record.”

The toxic Governor, who many believe is a lame-duck one with her reelection around the corner, has done nothing to benefit her image, including dining on $200 per pound Wagyu beef steaks on the taxpayers’ dime, allegedly grabbing multiple men’s crotches which led to a $150,000 settlement to one accuser, paying her own daughter over $8,000 in campaign funds for hair and makeup, locking down the state which caused over 40% of small businesses to close their doors and her radical far-left policies that have plunged New Mexico into further decline. 

Now, with Lujan Grisham forcing members of her own party to jump ship, she might not think she’s as comfortable in her reelection chances amid the turmoil.

MLG is so toxic, she caused a far-left legislator to leave the Democrat Party Read More »

Legislature begins special session for redistricting Monday

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On Monday, the New Mexico Legislature, including both the House and the Senate, will convene at 12:00 noon to begin deliberating over the redistricting process, where Democrats are expected to attempt to ram through the most extreme, far-left maps available. Every ten years following the U.S. Census, redistricting is required.

The proposed maps that would give Democrats the most advantage include highly partisan plans from the dark money George Soros-funded group, the Center for Civic Policy (CCP), which is blatant in its partisan leanings. For instance, according to data analytics of its maps, it would skew the Second Congressional District blue, flipping all of New Mexico’s districts to Democrat control.

During testimony for the maps in front of the Citizens Redistricting Committee (CRC), which was in charge of overseeing the preliminary process, the CCP bribed people to testify on its behalf in front of the committee, a shady tactic that was meant to artificially prop up far-left support of its maps. 

Despite members of the CRC claiming not to want to “radically change” district maps, they voted on maps that would implement extreme changes, such as the CCP’s congressional map that would pair northern Hobbs in southern New Mexico with communities in the far northeast corner of the state. It would lump Albuquerque with Roswell and plunge the South Valley of Albuquerque into the Second Congressional District. The legislative maps approved by the committee all spell bad news for Republicans in the House, while only one map approved for the Senate appears to remain fairer. 

However, even if the Legislature does not approve the CCP maps, it is expected for far-left legislators to propose a new map of their own that would further benefit Democrats. This wildcard would leave Republicans scrambling to analyze the new map. 

As we previously reported:

New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf has already stated that he wants to partisanly gerrymander the Second District to take out the current Republican incumbent, saying, “So this is the last election for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District with a map that looks like it looks now.” He added, “So next time it’ll be a different district and we’ll have to see what that means for Republican chances to hold it.”

Egolf was against a citizen redistricting committee, saying to the far-left group “Retake Our Democracy” that the independent committee would weaken Democrats’ advantage in the Legislature, “and the [Democratic] agenda goes out the window.”

He said he could not comprehend why “Democrats want to unilaterally disarm and give advantage to the people who are trying to make the world a dirtier place, take rights away from people, make it harder to vote — all the things that we oppose. I don’t want to make it easier for them to do it.”

New Mexicans will not be able to access the Roundhouse if they are not fully jabbed, if they won’t wear a mask, or if they wish to carry a firearm on the premesis.

During the redistricting process, Piñon Post has kept New Mexicans informed about how they can put their voices out there to demand fair maps for our state. Please contact your legislator in your area and ask them to oppose any maps that radically change our state’s district lines. Citizens can find their legislators by clicking here. 

The Piñon Post will keep citizens up-to-date on the redistricting process and post action alerts about how citizens can pitch in and help ensure fair districts.

Legislature begins special session for redistricting Monday Read More »

Once-GOP gubernatorial candidate switches to Libertarian Party

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According to the Libertarian Party of New Mexico website, once-Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Walsh has switched his party affiliation and is now running for governor as a Libertarian. 

The website lists Walsh as its candidate, with a bio included. 

In Walsh’s announcement that appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, Walsh touted his experience working for former Gov. Gary Johnson, who has since defected to the Libertarian Party and helped split votes in New Mexico on the presidential and U.S. Senate level. 

According to the Journal, Walsh “previously worked as an education adviser to former Gov. Gary Johnson and described himself as cut from the same political cloth as the ex-governor.” 

“I’m not an insider,” Walsh said. “I’m not a (political) party individual,” he added at the time.

The Piñon Post interviewed Walsh while he was a Republican contender for the governorship. Watch that below:

Walsh’s nomination petition lists him as a Libertarian, confirming he has left the Republican race. The Piñon Post attempted to contact Walsh for comment but has not yet received a response. 

Walsh’s exit of the Republican race leaves seven Republicans vying for the job, including businesswoman Karen Bedonie, Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block, state Rep. Rebecca Dow, Right to Life of New Mexico executive director Ethel Maharg, failed U.S. Senate Candidate, and ex-weatherman Mark Ronchetti, and businessman Louie Sanchez. Note: These candidates have been listed in alphabetical order.

Once-GOP gubernatorial candidate switches to Libertarian Party Read More »

NM to subsidize recreational marijuana businesses

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As previously reported by the Piñon Post, the Democrats’ far-left bill they rammed through during the 2021 Special Session of the Legislature would come to an extreme cost to New Mexicans, who would be forced to subsidize marijuana businesses.

At the time, we reported:

…The upfront cost for implementing the marijuana industry, according to the previous 2021 session’s fiscal impact report, was $659,400 in 2022. However, the newly resurrected pot bill in this current legislative session paints a wildly different picture, forcing the state to delve out millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to prop up Big Pot.

The current bill introduced this special session calls for $1.7 million to the Regulation and Licensing Department to “administer” the bill, $750,000 to the Department of Public Safety for “drug recognition expert field certification for law enforcement,” $4 million to the Taxation and Revenue Department for expenditures in the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years, $500,000 to the Administrative Office of the Courts to help address with expungement of records, among other costs.

Just on face-value, the taxpayers of New Mexico would be on the hook for nearly $7 million to implement this costly industry, which was promised to be revenue-generating. 

However, according to the previous fiscal impact report for the bill that died in the first legislative session of 2021, by the fiscal year 2024, the flailing industry would only produce at most $15 million in net revenue to the state, which, if current spending levels remain, would only amount to 0.204% of the funds needed to fund the government. 

At the time, Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Santa Fe) was not pleased with the Democrats’ proposal, writing on Facebook, “We’ve been told marijuana will be revenue positive but now, in the middle of Special Session (that has been called in the middle of a Holiday week), we learn last-minute that the state will subsidize the marijuana industry with millions of taxpayer dollars. This is far from open transparent government!” 

Now, a legislative committee has approved subsidizing pot businesses, with the Regulation and Licensing Department’s proposal to have New Mexico taxpayers fund these businesses via “loans” at $250,000 apiece. These loans would have extremely competitive two percent and three percent interest rates. 

“The New Mexico Finance Authority is planning for a $5 million line of credit for cannabis entrepreneurs, with [an] average loan size of about $100,000. The application process is expected to open in February,” according to the Associated Press.

“Loans would be available to qualified cannabis ‘microbusinesses’ that are licensed to cultivate and sell marijuana from up to 200 plants at a single location, operating much like a craft winery or brewery,” the report notes.

Many legislators who voted for the extreme recreational marijuana bill took large sums from the Big Pot lobby. Scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Lujan Grisham, who demanded the bill be passed and signed into law, has taken tens of thousands of dollars from the industry in campaign cash.

According to the most recently filed campaign finance report from Lujan Grisham, former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White who owns the marijuana business PurLife gave her $10,000, $10,400, $10,400, and $10,400 in four apparently separate payments.

NM to subsidize recreational marijuana businesses Read More »

MLG’s gas tax on the poor is coming back

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During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Piñon Post helped in the defeat of the radical “Clean Fuel Standards” bill sponsored by state Sen. Mimi Stewart, which would result in a 20+ cent per gallon gas tax, hurting the poorest New Mexicans.

As we previously reported in July, the proposal, which is supported by scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, will try to bring the failed proposal back to further harm New Mexicans already being harmed by the currently inflamed gas prices:

Our report noted:

According to a press release from the Governor’s Environment Department, “In her remarks, Gov. Lujan Grisham highlighted the innovative ways New Mexico is addressing climate change, including reducing emissions from the utility sector and the oil and gas industry, adopting clean car standards, prioritizing clean fuel standard legislation, investing in green energy job training, and making New Mexico the nation’s largest hydrogen hub. Through a whole-of-government approach, New Mexico is decarbonizing and diversifying its economy.” 

It is important to note that she mentioned “adopting clean fuel standards.” Not only is this concerning regarding a standard on industries, such as the transportation industry, but it is concerning regarding citizens if she chooses to try to impose a clean car standard on the average citizen.

By implementing this on industries, it would result in an at least 20+ cent per gallon gas tax on the poor, a proposal that failed during the 2021 Legislative Session, with even Democrat senators being hesitant to support it.

But a “clean car standard” for everyday citizens would mean forcing New Mexico’s citizens — a state with some of the poorest people in the nation — to buy expensive “fuel-efficient,” “green,” “hybrid,” or fully electric vehicles — crippling New Mexicans’ bank accounts and forcing thousands to either break the law, walk, or not travel at all. It would plunge countless people into financial ruin, resulting in an economic catastrophe for New Mexico. 

But the Governor’s new “Clean Fuel Standards Act” has been drafted and is ready for the 2022 legislative session, being touted as one of Lujan Grisham’s top priorities.

The new bill, according to the Rio Grande Foundation, “would lead to a 35 cent/gallon increase in gasoline prices. That’s based on the Environment Department’s statement that [the] bill targets reductions “carbon intensity” of 20% by 2030 and 30% by 2040 from 2018 levels.”

The poorest New Mexicans are set to be harmed the most by this proposal and Piñon Post urges citizens, as they did in the 2021 Legislative Session, to again advocate against this legislation. 

MLG’s gas tax on the poor is coming back Read More »

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