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.
Former Republican U.S. Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce were among dozens of members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, who helped secure earmarks for clients of the PMA Group after receiving donations. The lobbying firm is best known for its close ties to John Murtha, D-Pa., the ex-Marine congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.
The FBI is investigating the PMA Group for possible illegal campaign contributions, according to The New York Times.
The PMA Group has closed its political action committee (PAC) after is offices were raided by the FBI in November. ABC News revealed the raid in a story earlier this month.
According to CQ Politics, Wilson and Pearce were not alone in securing earmarks.
In the spending bill managed by Murtha, the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriation, 104 House members got earmarks for projects sought by PMA clients, according to Congressional Quarterly’s analysis of a database constructed by Ashdown’s group.
Congressional Quarterly also has a chart showing who got money from the group and how much earmarks were secured.
Wilson helped secure $6,500,000 in earmarks for clients of the PMA Group. She received $9,000 in campaign cash from the group. Pearce also helped secure $6,500,000. He received $2,000 in campaign donations.
