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The New Mexico Independent going forward

By | 11.16.11

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…

EIB hears more anti-cap-and-trade testimony

Mesa Verde 80
By | 11.10.11

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…

New Mexico’s largest university low in popularity

jobs-80
By | 11.10.11

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.

Whistleblower protection bill clears Senate Public Affairs

By | 01.28.10 | 8:57 pm
On Thursday the Senate Public Affairs committee unanimously approved a whistleblower protection bill brought by Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park that would protect employees from retaliation in the workplace and allow an employee to sue for civil damages for the wrong doing.

In the same committee, a bill brought by Senator Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, prohibiting law makers from making cuts to the Medicaid program passed by a vote of 4-3.

“In these times especially these protect our most vulnerable population” Keller said about the program, which receives four dollars in matching funds for every state dollar spent.

But not everyone was sold on the idea, “I cannot support something that would handcuff the Finance Committee,” said Sen. Vernon Asbill R-Carlsbad.
Opponents pointed out that Medicaid makes up at least 12 percent of New Mexico’s general fund budget. Asbill said it would add another program that law makers can’t touch for cuts.
The committee asked the sponsors of two bills that would prohibit texting while driving statewide, Senate bills 89 and 188, to work to combine the bills into one, and bring them back to be considered again.
Supporters said a person is 26 times more likely to get an an accident if they are texting while driving. Provisions in the bill would allow for phone use in emergency situations, but opponents argue there is no definition of “emergency” in the bill.

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