Politics

Governor Orders Flags Half Staff For Las Cruces Soldier

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Courtesy photo

STATE News: 

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered all U.S. and state flags to fly at half staff Friday, Feb. 21 in honor of SFC Antonio Rey Rodriguez, the Las Cruces soldier who was killed in the line of duty in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

Rodriguez and SFC Javier Jaguar Gutierrez of San Antonio, Texas, were killed earlier this month in Afghanistan.

“Our entire state grieves the loss of this young New Mexican who, at age 28, had already distinguished himself as a soldier through 10 deployments in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan,”

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Constitutional Amendment Asking Voters To Approve Historic Opportunity For New Mexico’s Kids Passes Senate Committee

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HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

House Democrats Champion Initiative to Lift Generations of Children out of Poverty

SANTA FE – Today, a Constitutional Amendment that would invest tens of millions of dollars every year into the success of New Mexico’s kids, passed the Senate Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1, sponsored by Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque), and Rep. Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque), is a constitutional amendment that uplifts New Mexico’s kids through increased distributions from the $20 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF) for quality early childhood education Read More

Vendors Cash In At The Roundhouse

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Jewelry vendor Daniel Ronquillo, center, with his cart of wares Thursday roaming the halls of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Luke E. Montavon/SFNM

By DANIEL J. CHACON
The New Mexican

Marian Mendez-Cera traveled to the Roundhouse from Albuquerque to support a proposed bill this week but ended up spending a few bills of her own along the way.

“I came for advocacy, and I’m leaving with earrings,” she said about her unexpected shopping trip.

While most people go to the state Capitol during a session of the Legislature to meet with lawmakers, support or oppose legislation or just to watch democracy Read More

Egolf To Recuse Himself From Medical Marijuana Bill Vote

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House Speaker Brian Egolf

By ROBERT NOTT
The New Mexican

House Speaker Brian Egolf is recusing himself from taking part in consideration of a bill that would allow residents of other states to obtain medical marijuana licenses in New Mexico even if they don’t have a valid New Mexico driver’s license.

In a letter to Lisa Ortiz McCutcheon, the Legislature’s chief clerk, Egolf, a lawyer, said that because he is the lead counsel in an appeal of a court case tied to the bill, he will take an “abundance of caution” in recusing himself from any part of the bill’s assignments, discussion or debate.

The letter Read More

Bill 269 Protecting New Mexicans Against Domestic Terrorism Passes House Of Representatives

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HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

Defines and Lays Out Penalties for Acts of Terror

SANTA FE – Today, bipartisan-supported public safety measure House Bill 269 passed the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque), Majority Whip Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), and Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Albuquerque), House Bill 269 defines the crimes of terrorism, possessing a terroristic weapon, making a terroristic threat, and cyberterrorism and lays out the penalties.

House Bill 269 aims to justly penalize those who attempt to or have Read More

Scenes From CD3 Candidate Valerie Plame Event

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Los Alamos Democrats Andrea Determan, left, and Public Education Commissioner Karyl Ann Armbruster, right, host a meet & greet for Congressional District 3 candidate Valerie Plame, center, Wednesday at Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op. Courtesy photo
The crowd listens as CD3 candidate Valerie Plame speaks during the meet & greet Wednesday evening at Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op for. Courtesy photo
Another crowd scene from the meet & greet for CD3 candidate Valerie Plame Wednesday evening at Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op. Courtesy photo
Earlier in the day Wednesday, CD3 candidate Valerie
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