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.
The U.S. House passed the final version of the economic stimulus bill today with no Republican support. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote, which is expected tonight.
The House voted for the bill, 246-183. Seven Democrats voted against the bill, while one voted present. Three congressmen — two Republicans and one Democrat — did not vote.
All three members of the New Mexico delegation voted for the bill, which includes both spending and tax cuts.
“I am eager to work with the Obama Administration, and our state and local elected officials, to ensure that funding for infrastructure improvements, education and training programs, school construction projects, and renewable energy development reach our fellow New Mexicans as quickly as possible,” Rep. Martin Heinrich said in a statement.
Rep. Harry Teague said in a statement the bill is not perfect, “but we can’t let perfection stand in the way of doing lots of good for the American people.”
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan also said the bill isn’t perfect, but “it will begin to address our key goals – creating and saving jobs and getting our economy back on track.” Lujan said the stimulus bill “could create and save over 3.5 million jobs across the country — including over 22,000 in New Mexico and over 7,500 in the 3rd Congressional District.”
Lujan’s numbers came from an estimate by the White House.
“Today’s package will begin to address the urgent needs of our nation’s families and our economy,” Teague said.
The bill includes a a tax credit of $400 for single workers earning up to $100,000 and $800 for married couples earning up to $200,000. Heinrich said this would provide 95 percent of Americans with “immediate tax relief.”
The Washington Monthly asked if it was perhaps the biggest tax cut in history. A statement from the New Mexico delegation said it is the “most significant expansion in tax cuts for low- and moderate-income households ever.”
The bill that came out of a conference between the House and Senate also reinstated a “significant” portion of the education funding that was cut in the Senate version. The three freshman New Mexico congressmen sent a letter to House and Senate leaders asking that the money, which was in the House version, be added to the final bill.
The congressmen also cited the increase of the Pell Grant scholarship by $500 for the next school year and creation a $2,500 tuition tax credit for middle-class families. The Pell grant increase could help 52,000 eligible students in New Mexico.
The bill had the support of some unlikely allies, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Senate is expected to pass the bill — but barely. The bill will need 60 votes to pass the Senate (to see why, Congress Matters has a great explainer here), and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., will not be able to make the vote because of his fragile health. With the Minnesota contest still being litigated, that means Democrats have 58 seats in the Senate, if one includes Independent Bernie Sanders and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman.
Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine are expected to break with their party and vote for the bill, as will Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter — hitting 60 votes right on the nose.
Oh, and Senator Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday? He said he will vote against the bill.
