Study: Big Donors Dominate Competitive 2014 Congressional Races
NMPIRG News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Public Interest Group (NMPIRG) released a new study Wednesday, “The Money Chase: Moving from Big Money Dominance in the 2014 Midterms to a Small Donor Democracy.”
The study, which was written by NMPIRG and Demos, found that the top two vote-getters in the 25 most competitive districts in 2014, got 86 percent of their campaign dollars from individuals giving $200 or more. Only two of the 50 candidates surveyed raised less than 70 percent of their individual contributions from big donors, and seven relied on big donors Read More
Today Marks Second Open Enrollment Deadline For 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace
HHS News:
- Coverage Begins Feb. 1
STATE – Today marks the second Open Enrollment deadline for the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace. For coverage starting Feb. 1, it is important for people to sign-up today.
“As of Jan. 9, 40,972 New Mexicans signed up for coverage and have access to quality, affordable health coverage for 2015, through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “There are just over four weeks before the Feb. 15 deadline and the end of Open Enrollment. For those who are thinking about getting Read More
Report: New Mexico 17th Highest In Unfair Tax System
Courtey/NMVC
NMVC News:
ALBUQUERQUE—A new study released today by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) ranks New Mexico 17th in the nation in terms of having an unfair state and local tax system.
This means that 33 states have tax systems that are considered more equitable than ours.
The study, Who Pays?, analyzes tax systems in all 50 states and factors in all major state and local taxes, including personal and corporate income taxes, property taxes, sales and other excise taxes. New Mexico is among the states with a high negative tax inequality index—meaning its tax system actually Read More
Maestas Barnes To File Bill For Amber Alert System
Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes
STATE News:
SANTA Fe – In an effort to protect New Mexico’s children, Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes, R-Bernalillo County, announced today that she plans to file legislation that will require all cell phone and pager companies to issue Amber Alerts. Under current New Mexico law, there is no requirement.
“When a child goes missing, we need to do everything we can to find them and bring them back home safely,” Maestas Barnes said. “The Amber Alert System saves lives – that is why it’s so critical that we expand the service to reach all New Mexicans who have a cell phone.”
The Read More
James To File Legislation For Tougher Child Abuse Laws
Rep. Conrad James
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Rep. Conrad James, R-Bernallio County announced today that he plans to file legislation that will toughen penalties for convicted child abusers and those whose abuse contributes to the death of a child.
“We should always fight to protect our children and hold those who harm them accountable for their heinous actions,” James said. “When we toughen child abuse laws, especially abuse that kills a child, we send a strong message that harming our children will not be tolerated.”
Currently, those who intentionally beat a child to death face life in prison Read More
Harrison: Fixing The Broken Campaign System
By VIKI HARRISON, Executive DirectorFor the past six months, Common Cause New Mexico and the Foundation for Open Government have been traveling the state, talking to folks from Las Cruces to Farmington about the heavy price New Mexicans pay due to the influence of money in politics.
I was in Los Alamos recently talking about our legislative agenda – which is aimed directly at the role money plays in both campaigns and policy making.
While many of the biggest contributions made by donors to PACS and candidates are hidden from view – the effects of them are plain:
- insufficient
Municipal League Aims To Fix Food Tax For Good
By William F. Fulginiti,SANTA FE – The New Mexico Municipal League is backing efforts in the upcoming legislative session to reverse the painful consequences of a 2004 law that repealed taxes on retail food sales and medical services to reduce the tax burden of our state’s low-income residents.
The law did not help the disadvantaged, and it hurt the state by spurring a rush to increase other taxes meant to compensate cities and counties for the loss of revenue. The result is higher gross receipts taxes (GRT) — potentially more than 9 percent Read More
Art McHaffie Presents Free Lecture On Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor
Art McHaffie
SFCIR News:
Will This $45 Billion “Project Of The 21st Century” Diversify Europe’s Gas Supply Enough To Provide Desired Energy Security?
Art McHaffie will present a free public lecture about Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor titled “Project of the 21st Century”. The lecture is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the Tipton Hall at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr.
During McHaffie’s tenure as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Azerbaijan International Operating Company 1994-1997, and CIR Board President, he was involved in Read More
Weather Closes Frijoles Canyon Section Of Bandelier
BANDELIER News:
The Frijoles Canyon section of Bandelier, the area where the Visitor Center is, will be closed today due to weather.
Anyone planning to visit that section Wednesday should call ahead in case there is a delayed opening. The number to call for information is 505.572.3861 x 517. Read More
Luján Applauds Law To Help Prevent Veteran Suicides
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District applauded the unanimous passage of legislation in the House last night to help prevent suicide among our nation’s veterans.
The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act expands access to mental health services and increases the capacity and efficiency of VA care to address the needs of veterans returning home from war. The bill passed the House last Congress, but did not receive a final vote in the Senate before the end of last Read More
