April 14, 2017

Legislators prepare to sue Governor over vetoes.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE – New Mexico’s legislative leaders authorized their attorneys on Thursday to sue Gov. Susana Martinez over her veto of funding for state universities and the Legislature itself.

And they directed their staff to begin gathering signatures for an extraordinary session – a legislative session called by lawmakers themselves and open to any topic.

It would take signatures from three-fifths of the Legislature to enter such a session, which has happened only once in New Mexico history, officials said.

Top Democrats in the Legislature have repeatedly questioned whether the Republican governor had authority to reject funding for an equal branch of government and for universities mentioned in the state Constitution.


Read more: Legislators prepare to sue Governor over vetoes


Gov. Martinez vetoed 145 bills, while signing 132. The legislature is lead by Democrats. Several bills were vetoed that had broad bi-partisan support.

“In the coming weeks,” Martinez said Friday, “I will call the Legislature back to Santa Fe to finish the job they were supposed to do in the first place. I believe that by working together, we can balance the budget – without tax increases. While I’m disappointed in them, I am optimistic that we can come together.”

Gov. Martinez was disengaged from the legislature while they were in session. She spent precious little time working with the legislators to compromise. Instead, she simply vetoed bills that had support from both parties, claimed they were "wasting time", and now wants to spend extra money for a special session, even though the state is in financial trouble right now.

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Cross-posted in Latest Breaking News.

April 14, 2017

Legislators prepare to sue governor over vetoes

Source: Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE – New Mexico’s legislative leaders authorized their attorneys on Thursday to sue Gov. Susana Martinez over her veto of funding for state universities and the Legislature itself.

And they directed their staff to begin gathering signatures for an extraordinary session – a legislative session called by lawmakers themselves and open to any topic.

It would take signatures from three-fifths of the Legislature to enter such a session, which has happened only once in New Mexico history, officials said.

Top Democrats in the Legislature have repeatedly questioned whether the Republican governor had authority to reject funding for an equal branch of government and for universities mentioned in the state Constitution.


Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/987469?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_campaign

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Gov. Martinez vetoed 145 bills, while signing 132. The legislature is lead by Democrats. Several bills were vetoed that had broad bi-partisan support.

“In the coming weeks,” Martinez said Friday, “I will call the Legislature back to Santa Fe to finish the job they were supposed to do in the first place. I believe that by working together, we can balance the budget – without tax increases. While I’m disappointed in them, I am optimistic that we can come together.”

Gov. Martinez was disengaged from the legislature while they were in session. She spent precious little time working with the legislators to compromise. Instead, she simply vetoed bills that had support from both parties, claimed they were "wasting time", and now wants to spend extra money for a special session, even though the state is in financial trouble right now.

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Cross-posted in New Mexico forum.

April 4, 2017

A ballot measure requiring businesses to provide sick leave to all employees is being challenged

Lawsuit filed over proposed sick leave ordinance

Businesses don't like to provide sick leave. Read the comments: When are the Democraps going to understand to STAY OUT OF BUSINESS. Let a business run as the owner wants it to run.

Repubs, who say they love the Constitution, don't seem to understand the obligation of our government to REGULATE COMMERCE.

The ugliest, meanest and greediest people I know in this town are all Small Business owners. They are full of greed and bereft of humanity and compassion.

February 9, 2017

Pearce pitches Trump administration on new NM refinery - Lectures lawmakers on "poisonous" politics

Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) is the lone Republican in the NM delegation to Congress, and he's MY representative!

He has to balance a fine line in our largely Hispanic state. But, he has praised Trump and criticized our bitter partisan divide (like it's not his fault in the first place).

Now, he wants to allow construction of a new oil refinery in NM. He says it will bring high-paying jobs and take advantage of our state's high-quality oil.

Of all the things he could support to promote job creation, he touts an old industry that desperately needs to be replaced. He advocates further destroying our environment so he can pander to the oil lobby, which provides major funding for his campaigns.

I call Pearce at least twice a week and give him a piece of my mind. He needs to know he will not hold his seat. If Pearce is your representative, too, please call his office OFTEN!

SANTA FE, N.M. — Congressman Steve Pearce — the lone Republican in New Mexico’s delegation — said Thursday that he has pitched the idea of building a new oil refinery in New Mexico to the Trump administration.

It would inject high-paying jobs into the economy, he said, and the purity of local oil would be a tremendous asset on the market.

“We will have the strongest oil economy in the world,” Pearce said. “My friends, that is something to be proud about.”

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“I think the poisonous attitudes that exist right now in politics are damaging the very structure of self governance,” Pearce said.

https://www.abqjournal.com/946379/pearce-pitches-trump-administration-on-new-nm-refinery.html