Posts by Gwyneth Doland

State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas sent in his own response to this week’s Independent Forum question,”Do college athletics pay off?” The answer, says this valuable member of the state House’s basketball team, is YES.

Think New Mexico, a non-profit think tank, counts three Democratic state senators who voted for a budget package that included a food tax, but now say they’re urging Gov. Bill Richardson to veto the measure.
The lawmakers include Sens. Nancy Rodgriguez, Steve Fischmann and Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, who said last week on KNME’s New Mexico in [...]

KUNM’s Jim Williams sends along this update on the Secretary of State’s office:
Secretary of State Mary Herrera is firing back over allegations that her office is poorly managed.  As KUNM reported last week, several former Elections division employees have echoed the contentions of a former Elections Director that Deputy Secretary Francisco Trujillo is interfering with how [...]

In a report that will air on tonight’s evening news, several former state elections employees tell KUNM’s Jim Williams that allegations made by A.J. Salazar are true. Read the full text of the story, after the jump.

“Currently insurers in New Mexico can charge women up to 20 percent more than men for individual and small group health insurance plans. This is unacceptable…,” Richardson said Tuesday in a press release announcing that he had signed Senate Bill 148.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, will eventually eliminate gender as a health insurance rating factor by [...]

It’s a slow day here as we gear up for the special session, so I’ve actually had time to read news published on sites other than my own. Shocking–but true! Here’s what’s got me interested today:
Is that guy who flew his plane into an IRS building in Austin “The First Tea-Party Terrorist?” So asks opinion [...]

Less than a year after the murder of Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller, an Albuquerque doctor has decided to accept patients for late-term abortions.
Dr. Susan Robinson and Dr. Shelley Sella, both of whom worked with Dr. Tiller, have joined the staff of Dr. Curtis Boyd, a downtown Albuquerque physician.

“Stop and think about it: A legislator doesn’t feel comfortable with somebody with a concealed weapon in the place that he works, but it’s OK for that person to go into other places where other people work,” Jim Baca, former New Mexico state liquor director, told The Independent Monday. Baca was referring to a bill [...]

Pete Domenici Jr. is ahead of Las Cruces District Attorney Susana Martinez by nearly 18 points— in a poll that was conducted before Domenici admitted to using cocaine and marijuana as a young man.

OK, we’ve got a few days to rest and reflect, but next week it’s back to the grindstone, as the Legislature convenes for a special session. The Independent will be providing full coverage from the Roundhouse, but as we fine-tune our plans, we’re interested to hear how you think we can serve you better. What [...]

The state Legislature on Thursday morning passed a bill that would reform the State Investment Council. The Governor has said he will sign the bill.

Did you know that health education is not a required course for high school graduation in New Mexico? That will change if Gov. Richardson signs a bill that cleared the Legislature today. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, will change Health from an elective to a requirement, and mandates that it be taught [...]

A bill that would require the Educational Retirement Board to publicly disclose the pension amounts for each of its 30,000 members passed the Senate Tuesday night and will now go to the governor for his signature.

Elaine Baumgartel and KNME’s New Mexico in Focus talked last week to legislative leaders and analysts about the state budget crisis.
“This hole is huge,” David Abbey of the Legislative Finance Committee said. “I think everyone is working hard to be responsible with taxpayer dollars and make it work, but there are a lot of tough [...]

“It’s the worst session I’ve ever experienced and this is my 16th one,” Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque said at The Independent’s panel discussion on Wednesday night. “It’s much more partisan. You know Keith [Gardner, House minority whip] and I usually agree on a lot of things and this session I can’t stand the sight of [...]