Uncategorized

After Dem failures during 2024 Legislature, MLG threatens special session

22 Comments / Uncategorized / By

Far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her major dissatisfaction with the Democrat-majority Legislature’s inability to advance her anti-gun bills and other initiatives during the 30-day session that concluded Thursday. In a move that surprised many, she revealed in a post-session news conference that she is contemplating convening a special legislative session focused on public safety issues. “Both houses are well aware that I’m frustrated,” she stated after most of her extreme, unconstitutional proposals to ban guns fell flat. 

The governor’s contemplation of a special session caught legislators from both parties off guard. House Speaker Javier Martínez acknowledged the governor’s authority to summon a special session but mentioned that he had not discussed this possibility with her. 

The reaction among Republicans was one of dismay, with House Minority Leader Ryan Lane questioning the necessity of a special session after a month-long regular session had just concluded.

Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca echoed this sentiment, arguing that the legislature had already made its stance clear and that a special session would be seen as an attempt to override the legislative process. 

At the outset of the legislative session, Lujan Grisham had proposed a “comprehensive” public safety and gun control package. This included measures such as an “assault weapons” ban, stripping 18-20-year-olds of their constitutional gun rights, and attacks on the firearms industry, among others. While a few elements of her package, such as a seven-day waiting period for gun buyers and increased penalties for certain crimes, received legislative approval, the bulk of her proposals died.

Addressing New Mexicans directly, Governor Lujan Grisham voiced her concerns about public safety, stating, “I don’t think it’s safe out there” without her proposals being enacted.

The specifics of what might be included in a potential special session agenda remain uncertain, but the governor stressed the need for a “criminal competency bill” to address the treatment needs of repeat offenders with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Beyond public safety, the governor faced challenges in advancing other priorities, such as a strategic water supply initiative, an attempt to force businesses and workers to pay for job-crushing “paid family and medical leave,” the requirement for a 180-day school year, which was met with massive blowback from all sides, including teacher’s unions. Despite legislative resistance, she expressed her intention to pursue these goals through alternative means, including the establishment of a state Office of Housing with funding allocated from the Governor’s Office budget.

As for her involvement in upcoming legislative races, Governor Lujan Grisham stated her intention to focus on the national campaign trail, particularly supporting Joe Biden in his bid to stay in the White House, while maintaining a distance from direct engagement in state legislative campaigns. That remains to be seen. 

ABQ Journal editorial chides ineffective lawmakers for ‘whining’ about no salaries

8 Comments / Uncategorized / By

In a recent editorial by the Albuquerque Journal, the unique nature of New Mexico’s Legislature, which convenes annually in Santa Fe to conduct state business, was scrutinized for its lack of urgency and efficiency. The editorial highlighted that New Mexico hosts the only unsalaried Legislature in the United States, a fact that sets it apart from other states, many of which operate on a part-time basis but still compensate their legislators.

The editorial questioned the necessity of a full-time Legislature in an era where significant policymaking often occurs through executive agencies and boards, citing examples such as the Environmental Improvement Board’s electric vehicle sales mandates and the Construction Industries Division’s EV charging infrastructure requirements. “More and more, the real lawmaking takes place at the level of boards, commissions, and state agencies through rule-making,” the editorial stated, pointing out the diminishing role of the Legislature in direct lawmaking.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature’s lack of involvement in the governor’s emergency public health orders was noted, with lawmakers largely acquiescing to the executive branch’s decisions. This led the editorial to question the value of compensating such an “acquiescent group of lawmakers” who seem to readily align with the governor’s agenda.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers had absolutely no official input in the governor’s emergency public health orders. And they were largely OK with that. Yet they continue to whine about not getting a paycheck from taxpayers. Earning one would be a good start,” the editorial read.

The discussion around legislative salaries has been ongoing for nearly two decades in New Mexico, with House Joint Resolution 7 recently proposing a constitutional amendment to allow for legislative compensation. The resolution suggests creating a citizen commission to authorize payment of legislative salaries, which would require a referendum to amend the state Constitution that currently prohibits lawmaker compensation beyond per diem and mileage reimbursements.

Public opinion on legislative salaries, longer sessions, and increased staffing shows varying levels of support, but the editorial argued that the cost of even modest salaries for legislators could be significant for taxpayers. With legislative salaries in other states averaging around $19,000 for part-time lawmakers, the editorial suggested that New Mexico should consider similar modest compensation, if any, given its status as one of the smaller states in the nation.

The editorial concluded that while exploring legislative salaries is worthwhile, it should be approached with caution and clear limits to avoid excessive taxpayer expenditure. “Lawmaker salaries are still worth looking into, but with clear caps on how far we’re willing to go spending taxpayer money now and in the future,” the editorial stated, emphasizing the need for fiscal prudence in any decision regarding legislative compensation.

Monday bill hearing on proposal to criminalize guns at the polls

5 Comments / Uncategorized / By

On Monday, the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee (HGEIC) will consider S.B. 44, which will ban anyone except security and law enforcement from carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a polling place.

Despite mass shooters specifically targeting “gun-free zones” as easy targets, state Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) is pushing the anti-Second Amendment law that would restrict firearms from polling places.

The fiscal impact report for the bill reads, “Senate Bill 44 creates the new crime of unlawful carrying of a firearm at a polling place, a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.”

The Law Offices of the Public Defender write, “SB44 does not include an intent element. Analyst recommends a requirement that the person ‘intentionally carry a firearm at a polling place’ as an element of the proposed crime. Presuming that the purpose of this new law is to prevent and punish purposeful voter intimidation, the bill should not criminalize the inadvertent act of carrying a firearm to or near a polling station by someone who might have a conceal and carry permit and simply forgotten that the firearm was still on his or her person. An ‘intentional’ or ‘purposeful’ requirement would better target culpable conduct of carrying a firearm to a polling place as an act of

intimidation.”

The bill previously passed the state Senate 28-9. 

To contact members of the HGEIC, their information can be found here:

  • Chair: D. Wonda Johnson (D). District 5 (McKinley & San Juan). Room 413D, 986-4236. Email: dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov
  • Vice Chair: Natalie Figueroa (D). District 30 (Bernalillo). Room 203AN, 986-4255. Email: natalie.figueroa@nmlegis.gov
  • Ranking Member: Martin R. Zamora (R). District 63 (Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt & San Miguel). Room 203EN, 986-4211. Email: martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Janelle Anyanonu (D). District 19 (Bernalillo). Room 203BN, . Email: Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: John Block (R). District 51 (Otero). Room 202B, 986-4220. Email: John.Block@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Gail Chasey (D). District 18 (Bernalillo). Room 134C, 986-4777. Email: gail@gailchasey.com
  • Member: Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D). District 15 (Bernalillo). Room 312A, 986-4327. Email: dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Charlotte Little (D). District 68 (Bernalillo). Room 203CN, 986-4254. Email: Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: William “Bill” R. Rehm (R). District 31 (Bernalillo). Room 201B, 986-4214. Email: bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov

The meeting will occur in Room 305 at the state Capitol at 8:30 a.m. To join the meeting via Zoom, the login information is below: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81850374006 Or One tap mobile : US: +12532050468,,81850374006# or +12532158782,,81850374006# Webinar ID: 818 5037 4006 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keoXg8C6mc 

As NM burns, MLG flies to D.C. for lavish wedding officiated by Kamala Harris

12 Comments / Uncategorized / By

On Friday, the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Daniel Chacón tweeted that scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s lavish wedding planned for Saturday is still a go. 

The nuptials will happen in Washington, D.C., and Kamala Harris will officiate. 

Chacón wrote, “@GovMLG is in Washington, D.C., and will proceed with her wedding as planned. The Saturday ceremony will be officiated by… Kamala Harris.”

He added, “​​There was some speculation she would postpone the wedding because of New Mexico’s wildfires, but her office said the wedding is on.”

The wedding comes as New Mexico is being ravaged by forest fires, including the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, which is the largest in state history at 303,000 acres.

Just yesterday, Lujan Grisham said the fires could engulf over 1,000 homes while displacing around 10,000 people. The Governor added that “given the nature of this fire … I don’t think it’s an exaggeration.”

But despite the crises in New Mexico, Lujan Grisham appears to be putting her wedding in Washington, D.C. first. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales is presumed to be in charge while the Governor is away.

Dem group touts NM’s unlimited abortion law as its top 2021 accomplishment

4 Comments / Uncategorized / By

The far-left Democrat group that works to elect state-level candidates, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, recently bragged in an email sent to supporters about the so-called accomplishments it had in 2021.

In the email, its top accomplishment was scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signing an abortion up-to-birth and infanticide bill that has already purged New Mexico medical professionals from the state and led to the ending of countless lives. The bill passed after Lujan Grisham targeted pro-life Democrat senators and pushed them out, replacing them with far-left rabid pro-abortion extremists.

The bill stripped away all protections, including conscience protections, for medical workers in the state and virtually allowed unsafe, unregulated abortions statewide. Since Texas’ pro-life law saving babies after a heartbeat is detected, women have traveled to New Mexico to kill their babies due to the state’s extreme anti-life laws. 

In the email titled “Hate to brag…but look at everything Democrats accomplished this year,” it wrote, “New Mexico’s Democratic-led legislature repealed its pre-Roe law that banned abortion, preserving the right to choose in the state.” 

Among its other “accomplishments” included a Virginia law to weaken elections, anti-police bills in California, and a minimum wage hike in Delaware. 

“2021 was tough. From an attempted coup to a Supreme Court that has all but rejected Roe, it wasn’t easy to open your email. But this people-powered movement came together when it mattered most. So, thank you for believing in state Democrats and taking a chance on us. We’re really proud to have a passionate, tuned-in, and dedicated team on our side,” claimed the group.

Lujan Grisham gives cabinet secretary raise while many New Mexicans remain unemployed

1 Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics, Uncategorized / By

On Saturday, it was reported that embattled Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled $62,500 in campaign cash for sexual assault, gave her energy secretary, James Kenney, an 8% raise, adding up to $12,480. That boosts Kenney’s salary from $156,000 to $168,480, making him the highest-paid member of Lujan Grisham’s cabinet. Kenney is responsible for overseeing the Governor’s “Green New Deal” implementation by creating anti-energy laws to cripple the oil and gas industry.

Nora Sackett, Lujan Grisham’s spokeswoman, said the Environment Department “has been tasked with ensuring the health and safety of workers and customers statewide, including carrying out tens of thousands of rapid responses, running the state’s wastewater surveillance testing program, and coordinating with businesses to ensure safe practices and establish mobile testing programs, all of which Secretary Kenney coordinated and executed.” 

Sackett is referring to the Governor weaponizing the Energy Department to close down establishments and fine businesses for alleged non-compliance with her extreme public health orders that have locked the state down for over a year. One establishment in Grants was fined $60,000 at the start of the pandemic while churches had $5,000+ fines, and O’Reilly Auto Parts in Santa Fe was fined $79,200. 

The news of Kenney’s pay boost comes just days after Kenney gave an employee, Justin Garouette, an ex-staffer on porn actor-turned state Rep. Roger Montoya’s campaign, a $32,000 raise.

The raises come just three months after it was discovered the Governor’s office handed eight of her own staff members raises totaling $92,000 over the past year, a 10% bump on average, far outpacing the raises more broadly granted state employees.

The raises were as follows:

Comm. Director Tripp Stelnicki ($18,600), Director of Boards and Commissions Melissa Salazar ($12,000), Chief of Staff Teresa Casados ($10,800), Chief of Staff Matt Garcia ($10,600), Cabinet Director Dominic Gabello ($10,600), Policy Advisor Diego Arencon ($10,000), Director of Cabinet Affairs Caroline Buerkle ($10,000) and Director of Legislative Affairs Victor Reyes ($7,500).

New Mexico’s unemployment rate is 8.3% and is the third-worst in the nation. It is also at its worst point in 30 years, outpacing even the Great Recession following the housing bubble crash of 2008. State employees generally did not get raises in this year’s budget, while teachers received a 1% raise.

NM GOP victorious in legal battle to correct absentee voting drop box violations

2 Comments / Uncategorized / By

On Thursday, the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) announced that they were victorious in their lawsuit regarding absentee voting drop box violations in Taos and Guadalupe Counties. The counties “had failed to provide mandated security measures at their absentee ballot drop box locations,” says the Party.

The New Mexico Secretary of State agreed to reissue guidelines to all counties regarding drop box supervision and procedures. “The Secretary has made assurances that she will inform all counties that drop boxes must be supervised at all times and under surveillance to protect against any kind of fraud or other problems,” said RPNM’s press release.  

“We are pleased that Taos and Guadalupe Counties have corrected the drop box violations,” said Steve Pearce, Chairman of the Republican Party. “Our legal action was to simply ensure that there’s election integrity everywhere and that all counties follow the law. It’s gratifying to know that the state is also taking action to tell county officials that they must enforce this critical part of our election law. We all want fair and honest elections.”

“While this problem has been resolved, the lawsuit filed by RPNM, GOP leaders and four County Clerks against the Secretary of State over the certification of absentee ballots is still being pursued. That case involved poll challengers being denied access to the certification process. Although the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to hear that case, RPNM has discussed the issue with the Department of Justice. The violations in that lawsuit are too egregious to ignore,” the announcement continued.

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court refused to hear a case filed by RPNM regarding poll watchers being allowed to watch the counting of absentee ballots. It is unclear at this time if the Party will try to have the case heard in a higher Federal court.

This is a developing story. 

Stay Updated

Scroll to Top