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.
Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavedra, D-Albuquerque told the Independent Monday that he will raise the issue of trying to get enough money for the 2010 elections when the House and Senate meet to hammer out a budget deal.
Secretary of State Mary Herrera is telling any lawmaker who will listen that her office is $1.2 million short to run the primary and general elections this year.
“I’ve got to bring it up because I don’t know what she’s (Herrera) going to do,” Saavedra said
When the conference committee meets, members cannot simply add money to the Secretary of State’s office; by rule they can only spend the money the budget bills allow. So for elections to be funded, other projects will have to lose funding.
Secretary of State Herrera has an appointment to speak before the House Voters and Elections committee on Tuesday to raise the issue again.
“I know everyone is hurting, but this is an area where I can’t cut back,” Herrera said Monday.
If the Legislature doesn’t get the money for elections Herrera has said she will have to seek out a loan from the state Board of Finance. And according to Herrera the Board of Finance only has $1.5 million dollars total to give out.
