The New Mexico Independent

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The New Mexico Independent going forward

By | 11.16.11

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…

EIB hears more anti-cap-and-trade testimony

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By | 11.10.11

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…

New Mexico’s largest university low in popularity

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By | 11.10.11

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.

Government Accountability/Reform

Photo: Paul Schmelzer

Heinrich co-sponsors bill similar to Udall’s recent proposal calling for a Constitutional amendment on campaign contribution reform

By | 11.14.11 | 3:48 pm

Last week, New Mexico Senator Tom Udall and six of his fellow Democratic colleagues proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow Congress to regulate the campaign finance system.

Today, Rep. Martin Heinrich, another longtime advocate of campaign…

Photo: Matt Reichbach

Martinez challenges law stripping gubernatorial authority for out-of-state travel

By | 11.14.11 | 1:18 pm

As stated in Article V, Section 7 of the New Mexico Constitution, “when the governor travels outside New Mexico’s borders . . . the lieutenant governor shall act as governor.” Governor Susana Martinez recently told the Albuquerque Journal that she’d…

The New Mexico State Capitol. Photo: AP Bailey, Flickr

Momentum building for salaried Legislature

By | 11.14.11 | 12:45 pm

A raft of new commentary and news pieces in New Mexico are indicating some state leaders would prefer a salaried legislature.

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EIB hears more anti-cap-and-trade testimony

By | 11.10.11 | 2:54 pm

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…

Albuquerque skyline. Photo: Wikipedia

PRC appointee chosen, experienced but not in public office

By | 11.08.11 | 9:07 pm

Governor Susana Martinez yesterday appointed Santa Fe energy consultant Doug Howe to fill the vacancy on the state’s Public Regulation Commission. Replacing the indicted Jerome Block Jr. on the embattled commission, Howe steps into the position having worked as vice…

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New Mexico’s relationship with federal environmental oversight authorities vexed, evolving

By | 11.08.11 | 3:35 pm

New Mexico is considering reversing former Gov. Richardson’s cap and trade program on carbon dioxide emissions because the upfront costs are proving too much to bear.

Deputy Secretary of the state’s Environment Department, Butch Tongate, testified before the Environmental Improvement Board…

Photo: Stephanie Sarles, Flickr

Udall proposes Constitutional amendment for campaign contribution reform

By | 11.07.11 | 5:09 pm

Last week, New Mexico Senator Tom Udall, along with six of his fellow Democratic colleagues, proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow Congress to regulate the campaign finance system. Long an advocate of campaign finance reform, Udall…

Photo: LANL, Flickr

Los Alamos has highest concentration of millionaires in the country

By | 11.03.11 | 3:06 pm

Los Alamos has the highest proportion of millionaires in the United States, according to a new report by Phoenix Marketing International.

Photo: The Comedian, Flickr

Gaming Board to Native-owned casinos: You owe the state $15 million

By | 10.27.11 | 3:23 pm

Last Tuesday, David Norvell, the board chair of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, which oversees the integrity of gaming regulations at licensed racetracks and monitors tribal gaming activity in the state, told lawmakers at a meeting of the Legislative…

Gov. Susana Martinez. Photo: Steve Terrell, Flickr

Martinez announces finalists for PRC seat; Think New Mexico approves

By | 10.25.11 | 6:29 pm

Governor Susana Martinez yesterday announced the five finalists she’d selected from a list of 90 hopefuls for the Public Regulation Commission seat vacated several weeks ago by Jerome Block Jr., who resigned after pleading guilty to several felonies. Among the quintet are three Democrats, a Republican, and an Independent.

FBI to expand definition of rape

By | 10.20.11 | 10:44 am

For the past 82 years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation — in its reporting of national crime statistics — has not recognized that men can be raped, that women can be raped by other women, that men and women can…

Joint Task Force Exercise 95-2

At Air Force hearing, more opposition to proposed flyovers plan

By | 10.19.11 | 12:38 pm

As part of the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, officials from the U.S. Air Force and Clovis’s Cannon Air Force Base held another public hearing last night in Las Vegas concerning its plans for low-altitude tactical navigation (LATN) training flights over southeast Colorado and eastern New Mexico.

Photo: The Comedian, Flickr

Charges reinstated against judge alleged to pay for seat

By | 10.18.11 | 12:59 pm

In a surprising reversal of his earlier dismissal of four felony charges against District Judge Michael Murphy of Las Cruces, District Judge Leslie Smith reinstated those charges yesterday, setting a trial date of February 5.

Photo: Stephanie Sarles, Flickr

PRC Comissioner Block fails drug test, Danny Maki way ahead in funding

By | 10.17.11 | 1:20 pm

This past Friday, former Public Regulation Commission member Jerome Block Jr. showed up for a mandatory meeting with his Adult Drug Court administrator in Santa Fe’s First Judicial District courthouse only to fail his mandated drug test. As a result, he was remanded into custody at the county jail. Within a few hours, campaign-finance figures for three of the 88 declared candidates were released.

The end of the U.S./Mexico border fence in California. Photo: Bisiyan lady, Flickr

Halted effort to track unauthorized immigrants using drivers licenses estimated to have cost hundreds of thousands

By | 10.14.11 | 1:42 pm

This July, Governor Susana Martinez, a descendant of unauthorized immigrants, implemented what she called a residency certification program — an effort to review the authenticity of foreign nationals’ drivers licenses. The state currently has about 85,000 licenses issued to foreign nationals.

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In light of “Occupy,” many New Mexicans switching to credit unions

By | 10.14.11 | 11:59 am

In three weeks, the Wall Street protest movement hopes to implement a November 5th walkout, the effects of which could have a far greater impact than months of sit-ins and protests. Being billed as Bank Transfer Day, and as of…

The New Mexico Supreme Court Building

Republicans, backed by wealthy attorney, attempt to dismantle New Mexico campaign finance law

By | 10.11.11 | 4:59 pm

The Republican Party of New Mexico’s suit filing in federal court last Friday to challenge to the state’s Limits Law, a campaign finance law passed in 2009, is poised for a fight. Some who previously supported the law are now joining to dismantle it.

The House wing of the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Jim Armstrong, Flickr

Luján realigns with Democrats, requests patent office after voting against patent law

By | 10.11.11 | 10:32 am

Rep. Ben Luján (D-N.M.) and other Democratic members of the New Mexico congressional delegation are asking the Obama administration to open a regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in central New Mexico.

Gov. Susana Martinez and Heather Wilson. Photo: Wilson for Senate, Facebook

Process to replace Jerome Block’s seat proceeds

By | 10.07.11 | 3:39 pm

The eighty-eight applicants to officially declare their interest for Jerome Block Jr.’s vacated District 3 commissioner of the Public Regulation Commission, seat include: an American Telepsychiatrists sales representative, the owner of a Santa Fe optical store, a substitute teacher, a musician,…

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Santa Fe mayor wants small tax increase for infrastructure spending, new jobs

By | 10.07.11 | 12:37 pm

Looks like the government is happy to create jobs financed by public dollars—only a few tax hikes are in order before the new projects can begin. Mayor David Coss of Santa Fe is trying to convince residents to swallow a…