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.
While we sit in the recess in both the House and the Senate, let’s take a look at what news outlets around the state said about the state Legislature and what happened at the Roundhouse yesterday.
Over at the Albuquerque Journal, Sean Olson and Dan Boyd wrote about the emerging deal in the House and Senate. They wrote that Democratic Senators “worked furiously behind the scenes” on a promised package of four bills to help close the budget gap.
Steve Terrell at the Santa Fe New Mexican wrote that there were “Four and a half days of hurry-up-and-wait, one night of action.”
Also at the New Mexican, Robert Nott wrote that the Santa Fe School District was bracing for funding cuts. While Governor Bill Richardson initially said he would not allow any cuts in funding to education, has relented and there will be cuts to education, though it is unclear how large they’ll be.
The Associated Press highlighted the two bills the Senate passed last night and reported on the debate leading up to the votes.
Democracy for New Mexico said, “Almost all the action was taking place behind the scenes as legislative leaders battled behind closed doors for and against this cut or that, and negotiated through various channels with Governor Bill Richardson.”
Kate Nash at Green Chile Chatter highlighted a way of showing how bad the budget situation is, relating part of an interview with House Minority Whip Keith Gardner:
“The problem now is we’re out of one-time monies,” he said. “(House Minority Leader) Tom Taylor suggested we go and take out title loans on all the state cars. We’re to the point where we have to sell our mother’s heirloom wedding ring, because there’s no where else to grab cash.”
