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.
Former Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Committee Secretary-designate Harrison Schmitt alerted aides to the governor of his refusal to undergo a background check four days before Gov. Susana Martinez told reporters she had just heard of the refusal. The news comes from e-mails obtained by The Santa Fe New Mexican.
Schmitt revealed that he would not agree to the background check. In a statement, Martinez said Schmitt “was not willing to waive that investigator’s liability for any improper actions or use of that information.”
The New Mexican reported that Schmitt informed the governor’s staff of the decision on Sunday.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, Schmitt e-mailed a message to fellow Cabinet secretary nominees telling them he was going to refuse to sign the paper.
“Dear colleagues,” the message began, “For your information I have decided not to sign the Rules Committee’s requested privacy waiver for its outside investigative agency and have so informed (Martinez’s chief of staff Keith) Gardner. For me at least this is over the top. I will submit the other forms to the committee tomorrow. If you want more information do not hesitate to call.”
The message was CC-ed to Ryan Cangiolosi, Martinez’s deputy chief of staff.
Schmitt met with Lopez on Monday to inform her he would not agree to undergo the background check.
Lopez said that she would not vote for Schmitt.
