Mimi Stewart

Far-left Dems seize Labor Day to advocate for more socialism in NM

19 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrats in the New Mexico Legislature used the Labor Day holiday to demand more socialism in New Mexico, this time wanting paid medical leave.

Senate President Pro-Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) wrote in a Las Cruces Sun-News op-ed that they think “it’s time for a New Mexican Paid Family and Medical Leave.”

“Our push in the last legislative session for Paid Family and Medical Leave got more support than ever before. We were disappointed it didn’t become law this year, but we have not given up the fight because we know New Mexico workers deserve this important benefit,” they insisted. 

They plugged a far-left extremist group in its upcoming event that will advocate for the passage of the extreme socialist proposal, “We encourage you to join Southwest Women’s Law Center for one of their series of Town Halls across the state to share how access to Paid Family and Medical Leave would impact your family.”

S.B. 11, sponsored by the lawmakers, died at the hands of Democrats in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, with Reps. Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup) and Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque) rejected the proposal with multiple concerns. In the Senate, Sens. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque) and George Muñoz (D-Gallup) voted against the bill.

Terri Cole of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce said the legislation would impose a “large escalating tax” on workers and employers, as reported by the Albuquerque Journal. The bill’s fiscal impact report (FIR) noted a shocking $516 million deficit in the fund would accrue by the 2028 budget year. 

Other concerns from stakeholders include the vagueness of the language in the bill and expanding the scope of coverage to any “blood” relative of the person in question.

“UNM also says the definition of a family member in Section 2.G (5), indicating that a family member is “any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee or employee’s spouse or domestic partner is the equivalent of a family relationship” broadens the federal definitions of family members under the Family Medical Leave Act and leaves some ambiguity in terms of how the department will interpret this language.  As written, it appears to open the door for paid FMLA to care for a parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, and potentially individuals such as cousins or cousins-in-law, depending on the Department’s interpretation of “blood” and “affinity” in this section,” according to the FIR.

Still, the far-left, led by Stewart, is hell-bent on ramming through “paid family leave,” likely in the next 30-day legislative session, which begins in January. 

Far-left Dems seize Labor Day to advocate for more socialism in NM Read More »

Top Dems attempt to boot Dem mayor from gerrymandering lawsuit

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Leading Democrat lawmakers involved in the challenge to the state’s gerrymandered congressional districts are seeking to have Democrat Roswell Mayor Timothy “Tim” Jennings and two other individuals removed as plaintiffs from the case, prompting a debate over legal standing and representation.

The motion, filed by attorneys representing New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez and Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, contends that Jennings, along with fellow plaintiffs Dinah Vargas and Pearl Garcia, have failed to establish sufficient legal standing in the lawsuit. Legal standing, which enables an individual plaintiff to bring a specific claim to court, has become a central point of contention in the ongoing dispute over the redrawing of New Mexico’s congressional districts through S.B. 1.

Jennings speaking at a City Council meeting in 2022.

In a detailed 23-page motion, the Democrat legislators’ legal team argues that the plaintiffs have not adequately demonstrated that they have personally suffered harm due to the passage of SB 1. The motion asserts, “None of these three plaintiffs — allege— nor could they demonstrate— that their votes have been diluted under SB-1 or that relief the plaintiffs seek would redress any alleged harm. Accordingly, they should be dismissed from this action.”

While the plaintiffs counter that their grievance stems from the alleged cracking of conservative communities, particularly Roswell, among the three newly delineated districts, the lawmakers’ motion claims there needs more proof for plaintiffs to substantiate how their votes have been diluted and how the relief sought will address this issue. 

In an interview with the Roswell Daily Record, Mayor Jennings expressed strong disagreement with the motion, stating, “That’s bull. There is no reason I shouldn’t have standing.” Jennings, a Democrat who joined the Republican-backed challenge to the congressional map, contends that his community’s interests have been negatively impacted by the redistricting.

The heart of the dispute lies in Jennings’ claim that his community of Roswell was adversely affected by the redistricting. His argument emphasizes that the redistricting process has split his like-minded community among multiple districts, thereby diluting their collective voting power. The plaintiffs argue that this division prevents them from uniting to elect a candidate of their choice, directly opposing the central principle of equal representation.

The gerrymandered districts, which chopped up multiple communities and resulted in snake-like shapes, shifted the lone Republican district from leaning Republican by 14 points to now favoring Democrats by four points — an 18-point swing. This is a classic sign of partisan gerrymandering, along with the sprawling districts, as evidenced by the new Third Congressional District, which stretches from Jal in the extreme southeast corner of the state to Four Corners in the extreme northwest corner of the state. It would take nine hours and eleven minutes driving nonstop to reach both communities, which are all jumbled in the same district.

Legal experts weigh in on the debate, emphasizing that standing, while crucial in federal courts, is rooted in state constitutions for state court cases. Although the legislators’ strategy to challenge plaintiffs’ standing might not result in the case’s dismissal, the focus on the plaintiffs’ representation highlights the complexity of the legal and political battle surrounding the redistricting dispute.

As the case progresses, the ongoing debate over legal standing and its role in determining representation in state court cases continues to unfold.

Democrat mayor applauds NM Supreme Court’s gerrymandering move

Top Dems attempt to boot Dem mayor from gerrymandering lawsuit Read More »

NM Senate panel narrowly passes paid family leave bill

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The New Mexico Senate Finance Committee narrowly passed S.B. 11 by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo), which would create “ a 12-week Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit for nearly all workers in the state,” according to the bill’s fiscal impact report.

“The bill would require employee contributions of 0.5 percent and employer contributions of 0.4 percent of wages into the newly established PFML fund.” However, businesses with five employees or fewer would be exempt.

Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) joined the four Republicans on the panel to reject the bill, although it squeaked by on a 6-5 vote.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Sen. William Sharer (R-Farmington) said, “We want to be compassionate. We just don’t want to have our hands tied about how compassionate we have to be.”

Terri Cole, the president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said during testimony, “If you pass this bill, New Mexico will become more corporate and less unique.”

The Journal noted, “Specifically, the bill analysis projected the fund could face a $516 million deficit by the 2028 budget year — a figure that could cause the state Workforce Solutions Department to order an increase in the premium amount that businesses and employees would have to pay into the fund.”

Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has not yet endorsed the bill, although it is likely she would if it came to her desk.

Leftists have been ramming extreme bills through this session, including proposals to force public bodies to facilitate abortions and transgender surgeries (H.B. 7), new gun bans (H.B. 9), bills to weaken New Mexico elections (H.B. 4), and eco-left bills (H.B. 95), which have already passed the House.

S.B. 11 now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote, and if it is successful, it will need to pass the House in the fewer than four weeks left in the 2023 Legislative Session.

NM Senate panel narrowly passes paid family leave bill Read More »

Dem senator reports fellow Dem to FBI over alleged extortion attempt

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State senator Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo) has reported a fellow Democrat, Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation over an alleged extortion attempt, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Ivey-Soto has faced a barrage of attacks from Stewart and leftist organizations claiming he has sexually harassed women — claims he has denied. 

The report notes, “Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto said an unidentified third party delivered a message to him from Stewart the day prior: Resign as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and Stewart would make sure a confidential report that revealed new allegations against Ivey-Soto wouldn’t get leaked.”

“But if I did not agree to resign, then the report would be leaked,” he said to the New Mexican. “That is the very definition of extortion, and that is the reason why I reported that to the FBI at 3:30 [Thursday] afternoon, which was prior to [the report] being released.”

“The message was delivered through a third party, so there’s a witness to the communication,” said Ivey-Soto, adding, “I did inform the FBI who the third party was.”

Ivey-Soto says he “felt the need to contact the FBI because threatening an elected official is unlawful and threatening an elected official to take an official action [resign from a legislative committee] falls under public corruption. I took that very seriously.”

When the third party delivered the message that Ivey-Soto declined to be extorted, Steward leaked the report, as she allegedly threatened. 

The complaint filed over the sexual assault allegations was suspended according to Ivey-Soto, who said, “Last week my attorney was informed that the current matter before the [committee] regarding the complaint is indefinitely suspended, with no further action to be taken.”

Some of the sexual accusers are former Michelle Lujan Grisham staffers and have previously made bogus sexual assault claims, including that of lobbyist Marianna Anaya.

As we previously reported on Anaya:

Anaya is a far-left activist who supported now-Gov. Lujan Grisham’s failed pro-voter fraud bill, S.B. 8 and S.B. 144, that would have instituted widespread voter suppression and election corruption, is now apparently bringing forth the claim after she didn’t get what she wanted — stolen New Mexico elections.

“You deliberately prevented the bill from receiving a timely hearing, knowing that such delays were an effective death sentence for any piece of important legislation during a short session,” Anaya claimed.

Anaya further claimed that at a recent dinner before the voting bill was considered, Ivey-Soto became “aggressive,” while at dinner where she said she confronted him over said accusations. She claims he “put the breaks” on the bill Senate Rules Committee, which he chairs, because of her.

She wrote, “The way that the bill was slow-pedaled by Sen. Ivey-Soto after this confrontation in his capacity as Rules chair had the indicia of retaliation.”

Anaya hired the same lawyer, Levi Monagle, who participated in the slander of former state Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), which led to Trujillo losing his seat in 2018. Trujillo’s case happened in tandem with Planned Parenthood lobbyist Juliana Koob, whose dark money organization she represents spread the false accusations against Trujillo.

Ex-MLG aide claims groping by senator but was mum on MLG sex assault settlements
Soros dark money groups demand investigation into Sen. Ivey-Soto

Dem senator reports fellow Dem to FBI over alleged extortion attempt Read More »

Dems continue eating fellow Dem alive

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Democrats continue their onslaught against their fellow Democrat, state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo), over accusations of sexual harassment to a former Michelle Lujan Grisham staffer, Marianna Anaya, who has made false sexual assault accusations before.

Around 25 dark money far-left groups, including OLÉ, the Center for Civic Policy, Equality New Mexico, New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, New Mexico Native Voters, the New Mexico Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, ProgressNow New Mexico, Emerge New Mexico and the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, all signed a letter demanding the Democrat be stripped of his interim committee assignments.

“We understand that the internal investigation, begun in March, has now been completed by an outside attorney and referred to the legislative subcommittee charged with making a determination on whether there is adequate evidence to [take] action on the multiple charges made against Ivey-Soto,” the groups wrote in a letter, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

They claim some of his accusers are appearing before the same committees “on which Ivey-Soto sits. As a committee member, he has the power to cross examine, embarrass, and even intimidate the very same advocates who have accused him of harassment. He can also influence the outcome of the bills brought by these women.”

Ivey-Soto told the New Mexican, “Certainly, if I were acting in any manner in these interim committee meetings that would be deemed as retaliatory or otherwise unprofessional, singling out people who have filed a complaint, I think at that point it would be cause for leadership to take action.”

Senate Pro-Tempore Mimi Steward (D-Bernalillo), who has animosity toward Ivey-Soto, reportedly said, “The subcommittee work is not yet completed and until it is we must follow the procedures, confidentiality and due process required by policy.”

“The subcommittee leads this process, not outside [counsel] or leadership, and they must be afforded the time to gather all the information they need before any decisions or further action related to this matter will be made,” she added. “I respect the concerns of the advocates and will take them into consideration at the appropriate time.”

The interparty fighting with Democrats comes as the November 8 election will decide the governorship and the fate of the state House of Representatives, where Republicans have a shot at flipping the chamber and reclaiming the Governor’s Mansion.

Despite the cries about supposed sexual assault by Ivey-Soto, these so-called “advocates” have been radio silent on Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham paying off a former staffer, James Hallinan, $150,000 over claims the governor poured water over his crotch and then groped him.

Dems continue eating fellow Dem alive Read More »

Legislative update: Bipartisan senators successfully stall pro-election fraud bill in Senate

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On Saturday, both chambers of the Legislature met to consider radical Democrat legislation. The Senate was about to hear S.B. 8, scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s pro-election fraud bill to cement election fraud into New Mexico state statute. 

But Republicans used a procedural move, the “Call of the Senate,” which mandates all senators be physically in the chamber to vote. Sens. Gregg Schmedes (R-Tijeras) and Jacob Candelaria (DTS-Bernalillo) were both unaccounted for, so the Senate could not ram through the extremist pro-election fraud bill.

Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo), the president pro-tem of the chamber, claimed, “We still have two senators that are not accounted for, not returning our calls and not contacting [the sergeant-at-arms] when she leaves them a message,” she said.

But Candelaria claims Stewart was lying. “Lie. No one called me or my office. Just saying,” the state senator wrote. 

Instead, the Senate adjourned and met to ram through Democrat bills in the chamber’s Judiciary Committee.

On the House side, far-left Democrats rammed through extremist H.B. 68, a radical anti-gun bill, through the chamber, with the support of multiple Republicans. The House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee passed 6-3 H.B. 6, erroneously dubbed the “Clean Future Act,” which would mandate extreme regulations on multiple New Mexico industries — a piece of legislation devastating to the economy. 

The Senate reconvenes at 1:00 p.m. Sunday to ram through Democrat bills, with S.B. 8 being the third item on the agenda. It is unclear if there will be another call of the Senate, stalling the extreme pro-fraud bill. 

 Contact key senators to stop S.B. 8 before the vote:

  • Senator George Munoz: george.munoz@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4371
  • Senator Pete Campos: pete.campos@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4311
  • Senator Cervantes joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov , (505) 986-4861
  • Senator Duhigg: katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov, (505) 986-4726
  • Senator McKenna: brenda.mckenna@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4301
  • Senator Candelaria: (505) 986-4380, jacob.candelaria@nmlegis.gov
  • Senator Pope: harold.popejr@nmlegis.gov, (505) 986-4365
  • Senator Tallman: bill.tallman@nmlegis.gov, (505) 986-4373
  • Senator Shendo: benny.shendo@nmlegis.gov, (505) 986-4310
  • Senator Hickey: martin.hickey@nmlegis.gov, (505) 986-4513

Still on high alert over S.B. 144:

Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe)and the radical House Democrats, desperate to push scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s agenda cross the finish line, will be attempting to amend S.B. 144, a previously two-page bill that passed the senate regarding the intimidation of election workers.

The amendments would install radical pro-election fraud language contained in S.B. 8 to S.B. 144 despite the purpose and title of the bill being different than the proposed amendments — a violation of House rules. The amendments would be worse than the provisions in S.B. 8. 

S.B. 144 was originally scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee, but since the floor session went well past 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, the revised House schedule shows the Judiciary Committee is no longer meeting, although the Piñon Post remains on high alert for any movement on this bill. 

In the meantime, New Mexicans are urged to call and email legislators who sit on the House Judiciary Committee and demand they reject any amendment to S.B. 144 that would change the purpose of the bill.

  • Chair: Gail Chasey (D). District 18 (Bernalillo). Room 308, (505) 986-4411. Email: gail@gailchasey.com
  • Vice Chair: Micaela Lara Cadena (D). District 33 (Dona Ana). Room 204B, (505) 986-4210. Email: micaela.cadena@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Eliseo Lee Alcon (D). District 6 (Cibola & McKinley). Room 314A, (505) 986-4416. Email: eliseo.alcon@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Deborah A. Armstrong (D). District 17 (Bernalillo). Room 205B, (505) 986-4242. Email: deborah.armstrong@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Christine Chandler (D). District 43 (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe). Room 316B, (505) 986-4420. Email: christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Zachary J. Cook (R). District 56 (Lincoln and Otero). Room 203B, (505) 986-4226. Email: zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Brian Egolf (D). District 47 (Santa Fe). Room 104, (505) 986-4782. Email: brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Daymon Ely (D). District 23 (Bernalillo & Sandoval). Room 205A, (505) 986-4243. Email: daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Georgene Louis (D). District 26 (Bernalillo). Room 306, (505) 986-4329. Email: georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Matthew McQueen (D). District 50 (Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia). Room 316A, (505) 986-4423. Email: matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Greg Nibert (R). District 59 (Chaves & Lincoln). Room 203EN, (505) 986-4467. Email: greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: William “Bill” R. Rehm (R). District 31 (Bernalillo). Room 201B, (505) 986-4214. Email: bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: James G. Townsend (R). District 54 (Chaves, Eddy and Otero). Room 125, (505) 986-4758. Email: townsend@pvtn.net

Or BCC them all in an email: micaela.cadena@nmlegis.gov, eliseo.alcon@nmlegis.gov, deborah.armstrong@nmlegis.gov, christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov, zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov, brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov, daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov, georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov, matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov, greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov, bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov, townsend@pvtn.net

Legislative update: Bipartisan senators successfully stall pro-election fraud bill in Senate Read More »

Legislative update: Pro-election fraud bill stalls, House advances two anti-gun bills

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Friday was busy at the Legislature, with the Senate Rules Committee taking the entire day to consider radical pro-election fraud S.B. 8, while the House Judiciary Committee advanced two anti-gun bills, including H.B. 9 that forces New Mexicans to buy locked containers to lock up their guns and a bill, H.B. 68 making teenagers felons for “brandishing” a firearm. H.B. 9 passed in the committee 7-4 while H.B. 68 passed.

Another bill that was heard on the House floor, H.B. 15, allowed tribal governments to set their own tax rates, which passed with a handful of representatives voting against the bill’s final passage.

S.B. 8 had hundreds of New Mexicans comment in opposition and support, with slightly more in opposition to the radical bill. It would allow 16-year-olds to vote in municipal elections, let absentee ballots be received seven days AFTER an election, let third parties get direct access to the Secretary of State’s voting system, legalize ballot harvesting, allow straight-ticket voting, among other measures to erode the security of New Mexico’s elections.

Those who testified against it included Republican Secretary of State candidate Audrey Trujillo, pro-life activist Elisa Martinez, Piñon Post editor and candidate for the New Mexico House in District 51, John Block, engineer Erin Clements, activist Sara Smith, among others. 

During the public comment period, Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) and Sen. Jerald Ortiz y Pino repeatedly complained about the length of the public’s commentary on the bill. Stewart complained, “I think…if you can end this at this point,” demanding he cut off public comment after a member of the public testified at length about the downsides of the bill. “I don’t believe allowing people to go on for 10 minutes if there are 50 waiting, is a wise decision,” she said. Chairman Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo) denied her request to her ire.

Throughout public comments, Democrat senators, including Ivey-Soto laughed at people testifying against the bill and made snide remarks about their comments. Most, if not all, of the testimony in support of the radical bill, included paid activists from extremist groups such as “New Mexico Dream Team,” “Olé,” and the Sierra Club. 

Many of the supporters of the bill did not speak of specifics of the bill. Rather, they claimed the opposition was racist for not supporting the measure. One commentator said opponents were “fascists” and “white supremacists,” while another said opponents were supporting “Jim Crow” and were spewing “bulls**t.” Another said, “Voting is not solely for the elite and less melanated.”

While the committee amended the bill, Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who sat to testify on the bill with Democrat Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), falsely claimed New Mexico’s elections were secure. “You know, a problem [in an election] is not the same as illegal activity,” she said.

After two one-hour breaks and small fights between Ivey-Soto and Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Bernalillo), the committee abruptly adjourned at around 7:30  p.m. until Monday. Leader Wirth had attempted to convince Ivey-Soto to adjourn the committee so the Senate could meet to ram through more extreme bills but the chairman declined, postponing the Senate floor session to reconvene at 1:00 p.m. Saturday. 

Key Bills being heard Saturday:

H.J.R. 2, the “Environmental Rights” amendment by Reps. Joanne Ferrary (D-Doña Ana) and Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe)

This radical bill would enshrine “environmental rights” in the New Mexico Constitution, which would, in effect, put the final nail in the energy industry’s coffin — the fund which provides for most state funds for hospitals and schools, not to mention jobs. This bill was proposed last legislative session and the Piñon Post helped it die before it could reach final passage. 

This bill will be heard in the HOUSE ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 9:00 am – Room 317 – Zoom: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88679832287 Or One tap mobile : US: +13462487799,,88679832287# or +16699009128,,88679832287# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 886 7983 2287

Legislative update: Pro-election fraud bill stalls, House advances two anti-gun bills Read More »

Legislative update: Both chambers to consider extreme Dem tax increases Thursday

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On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee rammed a bill, S.B. 14 by state Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) through in record time — less than 15 minutes — to enact a “clean fuel standard,” which would result in a 20 to 35+ cent gas tax, harming the poorest and most vulnerable New Mexicans. The committee did not take public comment and just passed the bill, with a minor amendment regarding the bill’s funding. The measure passed 6-4 with little to no protest from any Republicans on the panel. 

The anti-energy senator wrote on Twitter after the vote, “Thanks to @GovMLG for her incredible leadership on #S14, Enacting the Clean Fuel Standard Act. @GovMLG is keeping us on track to be the greenest state in the country!” Many New Mexicans responded in anger, including state Sen. Jacob Candelaria who shared a GIF labeling the Governor and Stewart as “a little delusional.”

The House Health and Human Services Committee passed 7-3 a bill that would ”appropriate funds for the installation of “baby boxes” for people to safely surrender infants and avoid situations like in Hobbs where a teen mother callously her newborn child in a dumpster. It would also provide for “educating the public about safe surrender of infants, including the location and use of surrender safety devices.” The bill failed after Reps. Joanne Ferrary (D-Doña Ana), Karen Bash (D-Bernalillo), Marian Matthews (D-Bernalillo), and Liz Thomson (D-Bernalillo) tried and failed to table the bill. 

According to Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) further stacked the House Judiciary Committee with radical Democrat “progressives” in a power move following his fellow Democrat, Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Bernalillo) blasting him in a fiery letter. 

Lord wrote, “Today, New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf appointed an additional progressive member to House Judiciary in order to ensure progressive rule in this key committee; a committee that was already dominated eight to four by Democrats. This over-the-top reaction to the insubordination of the Speaker’s Judiciary appointees, who are not following his or the Governor’s direction on supporting or killing bills, happened on the same day that the Speaker was blasted by Democrat Representative Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) in the Albuquerque Journal.” 

The House Judiciary Committee considered H.B. 9, by Democrat ballot harvester and Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Bernalillo), a radical anti-gun bill that would mandate citizens to lock up their guns. 

“It is unlawful for a person who keeps or stores a firearm to do so in such manner that the firearm is accessed by a minor without the authorization of the minor’s parent or guardian or when used in the commission of a crime,” the bill reads. It continues, “When a firearm is accessed by a minor and used in the commission of a crime, the person who keeps or stores the firearm commits unlawful access to a firearm by a minor and is guilty of a misdemeanor.” 

The bill was stalled until Friday for Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Santa Fe) to make amendments to the bill. Details on the bill’s next appearance will be included in a subsequent Piñon Post legislative update.

What’s happening Thursday:

The full Senate will consider Sen. Stewart’s extremist 35+ cent-per-gallon gas tax bill, according to the floor calendar. New Mexicans are urged to contact their state senators and urge them to vote “NO” on the radical bill that will hurt the poorest New Mexicans. Find your legislator here.

H.B. 158, REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES & SOCIAL SECURITY, by Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe)

This bill would enact one of the highest taxes on real estate transfer (and purchase) in the nation. The bill reads, “An excise tax is imposed on all instruments evidencing a transfer of any interest in residential property. The rate of tax shall be: (1) one-half percent of the consideration for the interest in residential property transferred by the instrument if the price of the residential property was at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) and up to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000); and (2) one and twenty-five hundredths percent of the consideration for the interest in residential property transferred by the instrument if the price of the residential property was at least seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000).” The Zoom details for the meeting are below:

When: Feb 3, 2022 01:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82353539692 Or One tap mobile : US: +16699009128,,82353539692# or +12532158782,,82353539692# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 823 5353 9692

H.B. 49, EXEMPT SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME FROM INCOME TAX, by Reps. Gail Armstrong (R-Soccorro) and Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad)

This GOP-led bill will eliminate the double-taxation of Social Security income to senior citizens. It is a mirror of H.B. 48, which was recently revived in the House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. The Zoom details for the meeting are below:

When: Feb 3, 2022 01:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82353539692 Or One tap mobile : US: +16699009128,,82353539692# or +12532158782,,82353539692# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 823 5353 9692

Legislative update: Both chambers to consider extreme Dem tax increases Thursday Read More »

Legislative update: Wed. hearings for 35+ cent-per-gallon gas tax, ‘baby box’ bills

3 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Tuesday, the New Mexico House Labor, Veteran and Military Affairs Committee voted to revive a previously tabled H.B. 48 by state Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad), which would exempt state taxes on social security, which is currently double-taxed in the state.

State Rep. Miguel García, (D-Bernalillo), asked Chairman Eliseo Alcon (D-Milan), to give the bill another shot since all members of the committee were present. The bill advanced and it now will be heard in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. 

H.B. 156, a radical anti-gun bill by Rep. Patricia Roybal-Caballero that would ban firearm magazines with more than 15 rounds, died in committee with a unanimous vote against it following concerns brought by the public and state Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) of the bill creating a “pipeline to prison” for minorities and low-income families. State Rep. Randall Pettigrew (R-Lea) made the motion to table the bill.

Here are the bills to note for Wednesday:

S.B. 14, ENACTING THE CLEAN FUEL STANDARD ACT, by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo)

Stewart is an ardent anti-energy Democrat who has for years proposed this extreme legislation that would install “clean fuel standards,” resulting in a 20 to 35 cent per gallon tax on gasoline, which would harm the poorest New Mexicans. This bill harms the most vulnerable New Mexicans and testimony is requested against it. 

The bill will be heard on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in the Senate Finance Committee. The Zoom details are below: 

For public participation, click the following link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81679647964 to join the Webinar or
via telephone 1-669-900-9128 Webinar ID: 816 7964 7964

H.B. 157, SURRENDER OF INFANTS,  by Rep. Ambrose Castellano (D-Ribera)

This bipartisan bill is primarily sponsored by Reps. Castellano and James Strickler (R-Farmington) would appropriate funds for the installation of “baby boxes” for people to safely surrender infants and avoid situations like in Hobbs where a teen mother callously her newborn child in a dumpster. It would also provide for “educating the public about safe surrender of infants, including the location and use of surrender safety devices.”

The bill will be heard at 8:30 a.m. in the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84182969724  Or One tap mobile : US: +12532158782,,84182969724# or +13462487799,,84182969724# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 841 8296 9724 

S.B. 144, INTIMIDATION OF ELECTION WORKERS by Sen. Katie Duhigg (D-Bernalillo)

According to the bill’s fiscal impact report, “Senate Bill 144 amends the Election Code relating to the crime of intimidation to include acts against employees and agents of the Secretary of State, county clerks, and municipal clerks’ offices. The bill maintains that intimidation against the aforementioned parties constitutes a fourth degree felony. There is no effective date of this bill. It is assumed that the effective date is 90 days following adjournment of the Legislature..”

This bill will be heard on Wednesday at 1:30 in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Zoom details are below: For public participation click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86412647187 to join the Webinar or via telephone 1-253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 864 1264 7187

Legislative update: Wed. hearings for 35+ cent-per-gallon gas tax, ‘baby box’ bills Read More »

Gas tax bill sponsor has taxpayers foot the bill for charging her electric car

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to photos exclusively obtained by the Piñon Post, far-left Senate Pro-Tem Sen. Mimi Stewart is taking as much as she possibly can from the New Mexico taxpayers — even plugging in her electric hybrid car in the Legislative parking garage while at work. 

Stewart drives a white Ford C-MAX Energi, which is parked in her assigned spot, as can be seen in the pictures. She is utilizing the outlet on the wall of the parking garage to plug in as she goes to work passing her party’s agenda in the Senate.

This cost comes in addition to Stewart’s $174/day per diem, which is to be spent on gas, food, and lodging. Although it is unlikely to amount to a mammoth amount of money taken from the taxpayers for the electric charge, is it a good look for a sitting state senator to be taking per diem AND grifting as much as possible from the taxpayers.

Stewart is an ardent anti-energy Democrat who has for years proposed an extreme bill that would install “clean fuel standards,” resulting in a 20 to 35 cent per gallon tax on gasoline, which would harm the poorest New Mexicans. 

“This is bigger than just the cost of gasoline…. This program does not really affect the cost of gasoline, like so many other factors that go into it,” Stewart claimed in 2021. She added,  “When everybody talks about, ‘Oh the poor are gonna be hurt,’ I do believe the poor care about the climate.”

To make matters worse, Democrat Sen. Bill Tallman (D-Bernalillo) has sponsored S.B. 55, which would create an “electric vehicle income tax credit,” which would let Sen. Stewart get at least $2,500 in a tax credit since her vehicle falls in the scope of the legislation being bought before January 1, 2027. 

So, the New Mexico taxpayers already subsidizing Stewart’s expenses while at the legislature with per diem are further paying for her electric vehicle’s charging while in Santa Fe and could potentially give the anti-energy legislator a tax credit for owning a hybrid vehicle. 

Gas tax bill sponsor has taxpayers foot the bill for charging her electric car Read More »

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