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.
The California congressional delegation has asked the Obama administration to choose their state as the location of a new United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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.
The House voted to “blast” a bill that would bar illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses from committees to the House floor on two 36-34 votes on Thursday. The votes came after hours of debate on parliamentary questions, concerns about precedent and other legislative wrangling that frayed nerves and led to some testy exchanges on the House floor.
An attempt to “blast” through controversial legislation led to Republicans crying foul and Gov. Susana Martinez and Speaker of the House Ben Luján issuing releases on the controversial end to a long Wednesday session that passed two important bills.
A bill that would cap the film subsidy program at $45 million cleared the House on a 53-17 vote despite three hours of debate and a number of amendments put forward by Democrats to alter the bill. The debate on the amendments took the full time allowed by House rules.
Rep. Andy Nuñez switched party affiliations from Democratic to “decline to state,” or independent, Tuesday, just days after being stripped of committee spots by Speaker of the House Ben Luján, D-Nambe. Nuñez was a key part of a failed attempt to replace Lujan as Speaker with Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces.
Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch, the most outspoken supporter of a bid to unseat Speaker of the House Ben Luján, D-Nambe, had his committee chairmanship taken away and is now considering switching parties to the Republicans.
Ben Luján, D-Nambe, remained Speaker of the House, defeating Tom Taylor, R-Farmington, in a Tuesday morning vote. An expected challenge from Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, based on a support of a coalition of Republicans and southern New Mexico Democrats, did not materialize.
The state legislature and Gov. Susana Martinez will begin the 2011 session today with some big ticket items — including, most notably, a state budget deficit that’s estimated to be anywhere from $200 and $400 million. Martinez has vowed to fill the gap without raising taxes or making cuts to either classroom education or Medicaid.
New Mexico House Speaker Ben Lujan retained his position in a Democratic caucus vote Sunday after a challenge to his leadership. But it may not be over if three Democrats defect to the Republican side. More from Steve Terrell:…
How chaotic is the leadership battle in the state House of Representatives at the moment? Have you got a hour or so to run through all the scenarios?
Here goes:
Much has been written recently about a challenge to Democratic House Speaker Ben Lujan and whether House Democrats, who hold a 37-33 majority over Republicans, will throw him overboard or keep him on as leader.
Less noted is…
About two dozen Democratic legislators face GOP challengers this November. Fewer than 10 Republican lawmakers confront similar prospects, fending off Democratic challengers. It’s a ratio that causes Republican House Minority Whip Keith Gardner to smile. Two years after Democrats rolled to victory, adding to majorities in the state House and the state Senate, signs are pointing to a year that favors the GOP.
That’s right! We’re podcasting. This afternoon, New Mexico Independent editor Gwyneth Doland, reporter Matthew Reichbach and contributor Larry Behrens discussed some New Mexico news and politics issues on the first installment of a weekly Independent Insider podcast.
Carl Trujillo announced Monday afternoon that he will not seek a recount in his race against Speaker of the House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe.
“Because the race was so close, it was important for the many people who…
A disgraced former judge and State Police sergeant will be Rio Arriba County‘s next Sheriff.
Tommy Rodella defeated six rivals for the nomination, winning with 26 percent of the Democratic primary vote, the Rio Grande SUN reported…
Republican candidate Bob Walsh announced Thursday that he had pledged $20 to help Democrat Carl Trujillo pay for a recount in his race against House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe.
Walsh, who is running against Rep. Luciano…
Carl Trujillo will ask for a recount if House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, bests him in one of the most closely watched races late Tuesday night. As of 11 p.m. Lujan was barely staving off an upset by Trujillo in the District 46 House race.
A revenue package that is a cornerstone of a proposed 2011 New Mexico state budget passed the House Wednesday night by a vote of 38-28; it now goes to the governor’s desk. The measure raises about $240 million in taxes through various measures. But it also may create extra pain for some local governments.
Hours after two state representatives joined GOP lawmakers to table a major budget bill, the pair changed their votes and the bill moved forward. What happened between two major votes on Feb. 17, the next to last day of the regular session, offers a glimpse into how the New Mexico Legislature operates, especially when rank-and-file lawmakers buck a coalition of power brokers.
