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.
For the third time in about a week, supporters of House Bill 118 tried to move their bill through the House Voters and and Elections Committee. The committee had asked the sponsor of HB 118Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa, to combine his bill with a similar one sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque. The new bill would still ban lobbyist contributions and also contributions from those receiving or seeking state contracts. Taken out of the bill was the rule that politically active non-profits disclose where their money of coming from. The new bill not only brings together Campos and Chasey but also Think New Mexico and Governor Richardson.
It took a straight party line vote of 6 to 4, but the compromise of the bill is moving on.
Republicans on the committee expressed concerns that unions would be exempt from the contribution rules under the new bill. Union representatives point to language that groups their lobbyists in to the prohibition as well. On top of that Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico, pointed out both AFSCME and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce support the bill, (although the Chamber’s support is conditional depending on the final version).
Supporters say they are going to look into getting the new bill before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.
