Late on Friday night, the New Mexico House Rules Committee met to hash out new rules for the 2021 Legislative Session, with Democrats claiming COVID-19 warranted a complete overhaul of the years-long grandfathered-in procedures.
However, Democrats, hungering for more power, did not budge in ther rules changes of forcing members of the chamber to go through their party leadership to make a point of order, forcing all members to be on Zoom, despite Republicans being in the chamber. At the same time, Democrats refused to remain there, and a completely virtual online voting system, which Democrat Speaker Brian Egolf insisted was “doubly encrypted.”
During the debate late Friday night, Republican Leader Rep. Jim Townsend (R-Artesia), said “The majority is hesitant for the public to see the optics of the minority on the House floor doing what they were elected to do and the other side of the chamber empty,” adding, “That is the real issue.” He said the move was to “fool the public” since Egolf’s Democrat members were refusing to stay on the House floor for debate.
Triggered by Townsend’s words, Egolf claimed he was “dangerously close” to “denouncing the reputation of other legislators,” despite not much of a reputation to uphold after Egolf has repeatedly corrupted the House chamber for his own political gain, repeatedlyramming through radical left-wing legislation despite House rules forbidding these practices.
“There’s nothing embarrassing about empty Democratic seats on the floor,” Egolf interjected, claiming, “That’s something we should be proud of.”
One far-left member, Rep. Daymon Ely (D-Albuquerque), claimed it was “dangerous” for legislators to show up to do their jobs on the House floor. He said, “The more members that are on the floor and the longer they are on the floor, the more dangerous it becomes.”
Democrat Leader Sheryl Stapleton added to the fear-mongering, saying, “Maybe some of us will end up with COVID,” and “Some of us, or one or two of us, may end up dead as a result of being in that room.”
Republican Whip Rep. Rod Montoya (R-Farmington) quipped, “The ones not on the floor are the ones acting responsibly.”
Democrats are likely to ram through as many left-wing partisan policy items this 60-day legislative session as possible, including abortion up-to and after birth, legalized recreational marijuana, assisted suicide, new “terrorism” definitions, higher taxes, more handouts private businesses will be forced for fork over, among other things.
Here’s an example of Hosue Speaker Brian Egolf’s actions as speaker:
.@JasonHarperNM to @speakeregolf last night after Egolf prematurely cut off debate on Rep. Dow’s amendment to give aid to frontline workers: “Mr. Speaker, you have made a mockery of this body…. You again, are a bully, and use that chair to sue your whims.” pic.twitter.com/H498gfZIeD
On Monday, Speaker of the New Mexico House Brian Egolf confirmed to KRQE News 13 that the 2021 Legislative Session will be “100% virtual for the public,” meaning the “Roundhouse will be closed to the public.”
Previously, legislators were discussing utilizing the Santa Fe Convention Center to accommodate “social distancing,” however, that appears not to be the case, according to one report.
“Speaker Egolf said they will be expanding the use of Zoom so people can participate remotely in the session. They will even have closed captioning for people hard of hearing,” said the report.
The move to go 100% virtual, however, will be the final call of the Legislative Council, but Egolf appears to have the votes.
Republican legislators responded to the news that was delivered to them via tweet, instead of the Speaker letting them know any other way. Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Catron, Socorro & Valencia Counties) wrote on Twitter, “So much for transparency!”
Rep.-elect Stefani Lord (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval & Santa Fe Counties) wrote to her followers, “If you don’t have internet. If you have a spotty internet connection. If you don’t know how to use ZOOM, well, your voice won’t be heard this year at the roundhouse. P.S. I can’t believe I learned about this on Twitter. Shouldn’t the speaker let the legislators know?”
If you don’t have internet. If you have a spotty internet connection. If you don’t know how to use ZOOM, well, your voice won’t be heard this year at the roundhouse. P.S. I can’t believe I learned about this on Twitter. Shouldn’t the speaker let the legislators know? https://t.co/KowXUiIB1o
— Stefani Lord for NM Representative Dist 22 (@Lord4NM) January 5, 2021
The upcoming Legislature will be 60 days long and many hot-button issues including an abortion up-to-birth bill, recreational marijuana legalization, anti-gun bills, and other previously defeated legislation from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are expected to be discussed. The move to go 100% virtual may hamper access to those who live in rural communities without access to a reliable internet connection, among many others.
On Monday, it was reported that Democrat New Mexico House of Representatives Speaker Brian Egolf looks to further punish the Republican minority by cutting off how many bills each state representative can propose each legislative session, while on a call to plan for the upcoming 60-day proceedings in January.
Egolf floated “cutting back on the amount of time and staffing needed to process legislation by limiting each of the House’s 70 members to just five bills,” according to the report.
House Republican Leader Jim Townsend chided the idea, saying it puts the “majority at quite an advantage.”
Even far-left Democrat Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, who has been fierce opposition to Republican causes, raised concerns with the idea, as Egolf planned to exempt bills supported by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham from the five-bill limit.
Ivey-Soto said, “If you are going to have a limitation, do not exempt anything that the executive wants from that limitation or it allows one set of government to set the agenda for [the] other set of government.” Ivey-Soto also proposed the start date of the legislative session be pushed back, citing COVID-19.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a majority of states have no limits to the number of bills a legislator can pre-file before the start of each legislative session, however, some states have limits to how many bills can be proposed after a certain day following the start of each session. Chambers in 13 states impose a limit on bill introductions.
Also noted by NCSL, “Bill limits might interfere with lawmakers’ abilities to respond to emergencies or the problems of changing times,” and “Limits also may lead to the introduction of bills that are more general in nature and scope, resulting in “Christmas tree” bills rather than ones targeted to specific problems.”
Egolf is notorious for trying to yank as much power as possible away from the minority, and he has repeatedly broken House rules to ram through his partisan agenda, with such things as spending bills and gun bans.
To write Egolf to share your concerns about his latest proposal, he can be reached via email here: brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov. To contact your legislator, visit the “Find My Legislator” function on the NMLegis.gov website.
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Legislature convened for a one-day special session after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called members of the New Mexico House and Senate to appropriate $330 million in COVID-19 relief to New Mexicans as a last-ditch attempt to use up what was left of the money appropriated through the federal CARES Act. The aide preliminarily acted to give $1,200 checks to the unemployed, grants to businesses, and housing assistance.
It should be noted that the Governor’s two-time lockdown of the state has resulted in the loss of countless small businesses, which in turn has forced people onto unemployment, whereby they are unable to pay for food, supplies, and rent. Without the strict lockdown, there would be no need for any relief for workers and businesses. The $330 million Democrat bill had no provisions to give aid to essential workers.
Republicans in the New Mexico House of Representatives worked to amend the Governor’s bill to add essential workers into the appropriation so they would also receive relief. However, Democrats vehemently rejected the measure, which was proposed by Rep. Rebecca Dow (R-Truth or Consequences) with Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) claiming that the essential workers hurting through COVID-19 were lucky because “they have a job,” whereas the people only included in the Democrat bill did not have jobs.
Hey, @speakeregolf: Do you want to explain to the frontline workers who are suffering and need aid that you think they are less worthy of COVID-19 relief because "they have a job"? What a disgrace you are! pic.twitter.com/2GLBJY3yIh
Egolf then pre-emptively cut off debate on the Republican amendment, proceeding to a floor vote despite further debate on the motion by Republicans, such as state Senator-elect David Gallegos (R-Lovington), who was denied the right to speak on behalf of his constituents on multiple amendments and motions.
“I attempted numerous times to speak on various amendments but to no avail. The Speaker refused to allow me to be heard. This is not a democratic system, it is an oligarchy and he and the governor tightly hold the power and are afraid of dissent. We must keep fighting for this state we love and for the voice of the minority in our state who continue to be silenced. We cannot let their tyranny stand,” wrote Gallegos on his Facebook page.
During the roll call for final passage of the Democrat bill, Rep. Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho) was called on to vote, to which he then said, “Since we’re throwing the rules out and using them when we’d like, I’ll explain myself now and then vote. Mr. Speaker, you have made a mockery of this body and of the rules. You are choosing to use the rules that you want, and I am choosing to use the rules when I want. Mr. Speaker, I am disgusted with you and how you have run this body. There is nothing wrong with going to closing remarks by Representative Dow and voting on that and voting on the bill. But you again are a bully and use that chair to sue your whims. I vote yes, thank you.”
.@JasonHarperNM to @speakeregolf last night after Egolf prematurely cut off debate on Rep. Dow’s amendment to give aid to frontline workers: “Mr. Speaker, you have made a mockery of this body…. You again, are a bully, and use that chair to sue your whims.” pic.twitter.com/H498gfZIeD
“I wanted to support the bill, I appreciate what has happened, but this is just a shenanigan that is improper, unethical, and certainly not transparent,” said Republican Leader Rep. Jim Townsend (R-Artesia) while casting his “no” vote.
After the vote, Republican Whip Rep. Montoya (R-Farmington) took the floor and scolded Egolf for his blatant prejudice to the Republican minority, his hostility, and refusal to follow House rules. “Whatever we pass out of here today is going to be completely illegitimate, and I am very disappointed, Mr. Speaker, in the blatant effort, once again, to ignore the rules, try–with lawyer talk–to talk us through a quick discussion on this, when we are wasting more time on this when we could have already voted on the motion,” said Montoya.
All other legislation sponsored by Republicans, such as a bill to limit Gov. Lujan Grisham’s emergency powers, was tied up in committee and died on arrival. The Democrat relief bill was passed through both chambers and now goes to the Governor for her signature after the hurried special session.
Record turnout in the 2020 General Election garnered much attention to countless races up and down the ballot, and many wins for Republicans. 912,565 ballots were cast across New Mexico, and voter enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle was high.
In New Mexico’s congressional delegation, Yvette Herrell bested first-term Democrat Rep. Xochitl Torres Small by 20,461 votes, winning by a margin of 53.9% to 46.1%. Torres Small voted with Nancy Pelosi 94% of the time, including to impeach President Donald Trump and to pass sweeping anti-Second Amendment gun bans.
Herrell had the endorsement of President Donald Trump and many pro-Trump leaders, including Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), and others. Torres Small had the support of D.C. establishment figures, Planned Parenthood, and anti-gun groups.
Democrat Rep. Ben Ray Luján won the open U.S. Senate seat, beating Republican Mark Ronchetti by 4%. Democrat Rep. Deb Haaland won re-election in the 1st Congressional District, while Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez won the open 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by Luján.
In the state legislature, Republicans picked off a few seats from Democrat control, including Sen. Clemente Sanchez’s 30th Senate District seat, which he will be vacating after he lost the primary. Republican Joshua A. Sanchez won that race against far-left Democrat Pamela Cordova.
Republican Crystal Diamond picked up Senate District 35 in the southeast part of the state, being vacated by Sen. John Arthur Smith, who also lost his primary election. Diamond ran against Naomi Martinez-Parra, a favorite of far-left Speaker Brian Egolf and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Republican Luis Terrazas bested incumbent Democrat Rep. Rudolpho Martinez in House District 39, also in southeast New Mexico, winning 53% to 47%.
House District 53 is still up in the air, as there is a possible recount between former Democrat Rep. Ricky Little and incumbent Rep. Willie Madrid. Little is leading by a handful of votes with 3,275 to Madrid’s 3,268.
In an open seat in House District 22, being vacated by Senator-elect Gregg Schmedes, Republican Stefani Lord beat out Jessica Velasquez in the Bernalillo-area seat.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Democrats picked up a net gain of one seat in the New Mexico Senate, “pushing their advantage to 27-15 — and lose three seats in the House, dropping their edge to 43-26, with one independent.”
New Mexicans approved Constitutional Amendment 1 to give more power to the New Mexico Governor by abolishing an elected Public Regulation Commission and instead allowing the Governor to appoint a three-member panel to regulate utilities in New Mexico. The measure passed with 55% support.
Another measure, Constitutional Amendment 2 allowing the Legislature to dictate term limits on state, county, and local elected leaders also passed, giving more power to Santa Fe bureaucrats. The measure passed with 67% support.
Although Republicans did not win the presidential race and many others down the ballots, they did make gains in the Legislature, while flipping the crucial Second Congressional District race. The newly elected legislators across New Mexico will be positioned well to fight hard against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her increasing penchant to hold onto power.
Roger Montoya, a disgraced New Mexico state House District 40 candidate, admitted this week to performing in multiple pornographic films in the 1980s after the Piñon Postfirst reported on it last week.
Now, Montoya faces more questions about his ethics, particularly regarding his tactics to raise money for his New Mexico House bid. According to a former donor to the non-profit 501(c)(3) charity he co-founded and is currently the “Artistic Director” for, Moving Arts Española, Montoya appears to have been soliciting political campaign contributions from donors to Moving Arts Española.
The former donor, Larry Sonntag of Albuquerque, said Montoya contacted him at his home on July 30th, 2020, thanking him for a $400 donation to his campaign, which Sonntag explained that it must have been a mistake.
In a later August 3, 2020 call, Sonntag said that Montoya “had confirmed a contribution from me and my wife to his campaign. I told him that was not true and he then acknowledge[d] the charity donor list may have been used.”
The transcript of the call is as follows:
Montoya: You and your wife did contribute to the campaign. I think it was $400 in the primary. I’m confused.
Sonntag: No, You’re saying we gave $400 to your political campaign?
Montoya: Yes.
Sonntag: Okay, well yeah, I need to see that because that is not accurate.
Montoya: Okay, well, maybe there’s a crossover somehow, which is unfortunate because this is the kind of thing that needs to not happen, and that could be on us.
Sonntag: Well, that’s why I’m calling because we have given money to Moving Arts Espanñola.
Montoya: Right, and so there may be a confusion there in the lists is what you’re getting at.
Sonntag: I am, and that’s a problem because there should be no confusion between a charitable donation list and your campaign list.
Montoya: Yes, I hear you loud and clear.
A subsequent email from Montoya to Sonntag confirms that Montoya used his charitable 501(c)(3) donor list to solicit funds for his political campaign.
“Our records show that your contribution of $100 was received on 05-30-2017 to Moving Arts Española, a 501c3 charitable organization.
I want to apologize for the delay in clarifying the unfortunate mistake we made in listing your name on a potential donor list for my 2020 political campaign for State House District 40. My interns projected an ask amount of $400 and that explains the mixup and the call I made to you.
I assure you that this list has been corrected, that funds in your name were not used in my political campaign which began in March 2020, and no reporting has been made to that end. Also, please know you have been removed from my potential donor campaign list.”
The news did not sit well with Sonntag, who said, “Using a donation to his charitable organization as an invitation to seek a political campaign donation is not only unethical, mixing charity and political work is contrary to federal and state laws governing charities being involved in a political campaign.”
“A complaint has been filed against Moving Arts Espanola/Roger Montoya with the IRS and NM Attorney General’s Office who regulates charities in NM based on a 501c3 charity being involved in a political campaign,” Sonntag said.
The IRS complaint was filed by Sonntag on September 15, 2020, specifying in the nature of the violation that Moving Arts Española “is involved in a political campaign.” The complaint with New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas’ office was also filed on September 15, 2020. Sonntag acknowledged that the information he submitted is “true and accurate to the best of [his] knowledge during the process of filing the complaints.”
Sonntag also says he “contacted the President of the Board of Directors, Steve Cox, for Moving Arts Espanola, [gave] him the complaint, and he determined that Roger Montoya had done nothing wrong according to their donor relations protocol.”
Sonntag commented, “What if the mega-churches in ABQ started using their donor list to solicit campaign contributions for members of their church who are running for office? The fact that Moving Arts Española is okay with Roger Montoya doing this stuns me. They are a great organization, doing great work and shouldn’t have anyone, not even the founder of the charity, muddying the lines between charity and politics.”
No known action has been taken by the Attorney General’s office or the U.S. Treasury Department on the matter.
Tax Lien
According to an Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request from the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue, Montoya appears to have lied on a candidate survey from the Albuquerque Journal claiming he had never been subject to any state or federal tax liens. He responded, “No” to the following question in the questionnaire:
Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
However, a document provided by the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue paints a different picture. According to the document, on January 16, 2019, Montoya had paid off a tax lien for an undisclosed amount filed on November 6, 2017.
The official state documents do not add up to the answer Montoya gave on the Albuquerque Journal questionnaire.
The multiple very recent instances of unethical and likely illegal activities by Montoya give more insight into the candidate’s moral compass and raise questions as to why he has not disclosed to the press accurate information and why he has solicited donations from lists of charitable donors to his tax-exempt non-profit organization. These revelations also help further paint a picture of how Montoya has evolved from the time he did pornography in the 1980s up until this point.
Montoya’s campaign was contacted on multiple occasions for comment but has not yet responded to the Piñon Post’s requests. This report will be updated if Mr. Montoya wishes to provide a statement.
Note: all documents have been redacted of private information, such as contact numbers and addresses as well as personal identification numbers to protect the privacy of Mr. Montoya and Mr. Sonntag.
