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.
State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, a Republican, is stepping into the fray of the Democratic primary for State Land Commissioner. In a guest column on NMPolitics.net, Lyons wrote that Democrat Ray Powell is “wrong for New Mexico” and Powell shot back that he will “bring a record of ethical leadership” back to the Land Commissioner’s Office.
One of Lyons’ main points was that he has made more money for education than Powell did.
“Powell claims he knows how to generate more money for our schools,” Lyons wrote. “During my eight-year tenure I have more than doubled the amount of money his administration earned in 10 years.”
Powell responded by noting that much of the money depends on oil and gas revenues. “During Mr. Lyons’ tenure, the price of oil and gas has been much higher,” Powell wrote. “To take credit for this increase in revenue to the State Land Office is disingenuous at best.”
The two also sparred on renewable energy, conservation and economic development.
Lyons says that when Powell left office, “not a single wind turbine or solar panel existed on trust lands.” Powell responded by noting that he had negotiated with energy companies to put wind turbines on state trust lands but was “term-limited out before construction could commence.”
It is an interesting back-and-forth between two two-term state land commissioners. It does seem unusual that Lyons would jump into the Democratic primary fray so close to the primary election, especially when he himself faces a primary in the Public Regulations Commission District 2 seat next week.
