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.
Is the governor in a weakened position as he heads into the 2009 legislative session beginning next week?
Inquiring minds wanted to know on Monday. Specifically, reporters at a press conference with Gov. Bill Richardson wanted to know.
Some state lawmakers, and others, have speculated that Richardson might be in a weakened position after his withdrawal from the U.S. commerce secretary posting in President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet because of a federal probe into an alleged pay-to-play scheme.
Richardson didn’t answer a reporter’s question about any perceived weakness. Instead, he chose to talk about working well with the Legislature.
“No, look. We’re working very closely with the Legislature,” Richardson said. “This is a responsible budget. What we have been doing in the last three weeks is moving forward. I think we are in very good shape to have a very good legislative session.”
Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela, D-Santa Fe, said he didn’t know if the governor was weakened but he was sure of one thing.
“I can assure you campaign reform will be a major topic, it’s going to be a big issue, because of what has happened,” Varela said. “I don’t know if we can any longer delay that. People are demanding that we reform campaigns and contributions and so forth.”
