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 House passed the 2012 budget Wednesday afternoon on a 35-34 vote after the passage of just one amendment and the discussion of just two. Much of the time was spent discussing the second amendment, which eventually failed, and left the Republicans complaining that Democrats had wasted time to prevent amendments.
A substitute bill seeking a compromise on the film incentives that Gov. Susana Martinez has vowed to cut back passed the House Taxation and Revenue committee this weekend. The new bill would keep the film tax rebate program at 25 percent but would cap the amount the state is liable for at $45 million per year.
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.
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…
The latest in a string of nationwide oil and gas industry-sponsored “Rally for Jobs” protests against government environmental and safety regulations is scheduled for Wednesday in Farmington. Sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and numerous other industry…
Health insurers contributed nearly $428,000 to New Mexico elected officials from 2004 to 2008, according to campaign finance data analyzed by The Independent. The data show the companies, an industry association and political action committees spread the campaign contributions around, giving to several state office holders and nearly every state lawmaker in the Legislature. The role of health insurers in policy-making decisions is coming under additional scrutiny at a time when a battle is brewing in time for the 2011 legislative session. Lawmakers and health insurers likely will face off over the question whether policy makers should re-write state laws to strengthen how New Mexico vets health insurers’ requests to raise premium rates.
Republican members of the New Mexico House of Representatives have asked Attorney General Gary King to join a lawsuit that would repeal the health care reform bill. The move mirrors a national trend by some Republican attorneys general who are suing to stop the reforms.
There are a lot of closed doors at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, and presumably behind some of them leaders are talking about how to solve the states budget crisis. Among them are House Republican leaders, who say they…
A bill that could result in larger school classes and shorter school days, passed the House by a vote of 34-30 Wednesday afternoon. The bill now goes to the governor.
A fiscal impact report on the bill warned of potential “negative…
A bill that would give New Mexico judges the option of sending defendants to treatment instead of jail for drug possession passed the House on Tuesday. This was the second time around for House bill 178, which failed…
Talking, texting and picture-taking while you’re behind the wheel could soon land you a fine–everywhere in New Mexico. A vote of 35-30 sent House Bill 10 on to the Senate and moved the state closer to laws in place…
Rep. Al Park, D-Albuquerque, stood up this afternoon to bring back a revenue-enhancing bill that narrowly failed on Friday, 34-33. The motion by Republicans to table Park’s motion failed 26-40 and the bill was put back on the president’s table.…
Members of the state Senate gloated today after Friday’s 43-42 victory in the House vs. Senate basketball game. The win broke a streak of nine straight victories by the House. The game, held in the St. Michael’s High School gym…
House Minority Leader Tom Taylor, R-Farmington, says the Legislature has an opportunity right now to cut waste out of government, and he said his caucus is fairly united behind that goal.
Republicans in the state House of Representatives picked Keith Gardner to be their new minority whip this weekend.
With that move, they replaced one Roswell politico — Dan Foley, who lost his primary race in June…
