I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
U.S. Rep.-elect Ben Ray Lujan told a small crowd at a town hall meeting Friday at the Rio Rancho city hall about an important choice for his congressional staff: His chief of staff will be Angela Ramirez, the current executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and former staffer for Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.
At the town hall, a future constituent asked if Lujan would have anybody on his staff who had experience in Washington, D.C. politics — a relevant question, as none of the three incoming congressmen from New Mexico (Lujan will be joined by fellow Democrats Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague) have any significant experience on The Hill.
Ramirez’s appointment was officially announced today in a press release.
“Angela Ramirez has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, leading the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and working with members to develop successful policy agendas,” said Luján in the statement. “Angela will be a valuable asset as I begin to serve the people of New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District and shape policy on their behalf.”
According to Legistorm, Ramirez began her political career as a legislative assistant to Crowley in 2002. Ramirez left her job as a senior legislative assistant in 2005.
She became executive director in February 2006.
According to the press release announcing her new job, Ramirez has experience in “healthcare, immigration, labor, and other issues related to the Latino community.”
Lujan said Ramirez has received “rave reviews” from all of those she worked with.
At the town hall meeting where Lujan made the announcement to about 20 residents, including Rio Rancho City Councilor Larry Naranjo and former state auditor candidate Jeff Armijo, health care was the main topic of discussion. Nearly the entire audience participation portion of the meeting had to do with questions about what can be done about the current health care system.
Lujan said that people cannot wait for changes to happen from their congressmen, adding, “It’s not top-down; it’s bottom-up and side-in and side-out.”
Before taking questions and comments from the crowd, but after the Pledge of Allegiance, Lujan spoke about his time at orientation with 53 other freshmen congressmen. He spoke about being awed at some parts of being in Washington.
“You see that dome lit up at night, and you feel good,” Lujan said.
He also discussed his office, which he will receive the keys to on Jan. 5, the day before he is sworn in. The office, which was the first office of his predecessor, Tom Udall, and also was home to Lyndon B. Johnson when Johnson was in the House, is perhaps not the easiest to find.
Of those who wished to visit and never visited Udall 10 years ago, Lujan said, “I’ll draw you a map.”
