Morning Word: Legislative Roundup

Governor outlines her priorities for New Mexico

State of the State

Gov. Susana Martinez used her annual State of the State speech Tuesday afternoon to outline her priorities for New Mexico’s future. SFR’s

.

The speech was heavy on protecting the people, putting away dangerous criminals for longer periods of time, ratcheting up penalties for DWI offenders, improving education and helping families—always the cornerstone of conservative Republican principles.
Dan Boyd at the Journal reports the Democrats, some wearing comical pizza and coke socks, blasted “the governor’s agenda as politically motivated.” Justin Horwath  has a look at the governor’s long wish list, while Joey Peters writes that Senate leader Michael Sanchez blasted media bias on issues like Real ID compliance and religious freedom bills that essentially target gay people. 

Transcripts
Heath Haussamen has posted the text from the governor’s speech and the Democratic Party’s response.

Fact-Checking
Martinez, according to Milan Simonich, "made an incendiary and false claim about the 'evils of human trafficking' in opposing the law that allows state residents without proof of immigration status to obtain a New Mexico driver’s license." 
Her claim that the licensing law has made the state ‘a target for human traffickers’ is a scare tactic based on a lie.

Capital Reforms

New Mexico In Depth journalists who have been pushing for more transparency in campaign finance reporting and capital outlay expenditures have analyzed the governor’s reform plans.

Senate Campaign Plans
A Blair Dunn, son of current New Mexico Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, told NM Political Report that he has collected the 34 required signatures to get on the ballot and plans to run for the state Senate this year.

Immigration Order Review
The Supreme Court has agreed to an election-year review of President Barack Obama's executive orders to allow up to 5 million immigrants to "come out of the shadows" and work legally in the US, potentially undoing lower court rulings that blocked the plan. 

Twiddle D and Twiddle Dumb
Sarah Palin has endorsed Donald Trump ahead of the Iowa caucus.

Gender and Pay Gap
Sal Christ at Albuquerque Business First reports, “New Mexico isn't faring well when it comes to the gender wage gap, high school and college graduation rates, and the number of households statewide that are using risky forms of credit to make ends meet.” 

City Budget Deficit

Santa Fe city councilors continue to look at tax increases and spending cuts to reduce an estimated $15 million budget gap.

Gun Seizure Lawsuit
An Albuquerque man who had 1,600 guns seized from his home and business by federal agents three years ago, only to have charges dropped, is suing the New Mexico Attorney General’s office for violating his civil rights with illegal searches and seizures, saying the agent who got the search warrants never had probable cause.
Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.