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.
During a panel discussion hosted by the New Mexico Independent Wednesday night, New Mexico State Sen. John Sapien signaled a willingness to compromise on a proposed 25 percent excise tax on medical marijuana. Also during the discussion, Sapien, Rep. Dennis Kintigh and Common Cause executive director Steven Allen discussed campaign finance reform and Kintigh’s failed attempt at eliminating the state’s film incentives.
Sapien has introduced a bill that would put a 25 percent excise tax on the sale of medical marijuana and subject medical marijuana to New Mexico’s gross receipts tax. Sapien said he was willing for the percentatge of the excise tax to be negotiated, then went further, saying, “It is up for killing.”
Sapien said, “There was no malicious intent in putting forth these bills,” referring to two bills that would tax medical marijuana.
Kintigh, a former FBI special agent, said he was opposed to the medical marijuana bill and jokingly referred to himself as “a narc.”
The three panelists also discussed campaign reform laws that were passed in the Legislature last year.
“Most legislators, most public officials are trying to do the right thing. We’re working on systemic change,” Allen said.
Sapien supported the campaign finance reform bill last year that restricted the amount of money an individual could donate to a campaign. “You have to be careful who you take contributions from” and said that he has returned some contributions in the past, Kintigh said.
