A
fter writing the
Morning Word
for a week, it's time to introduce a new look. We hope you like its cleaner and easier to read format. The new style standardizes the placement of the source story link so you can get right to stories that interest you.
If you want the Morning Word emailed to you, and you had been getting the email from New Mexico Telegram, you need to sign up for SFR's distribution list. It's quick and
.
Let's get straight to the Morning Word
The battle to control the New Mexico House of Representatives was an expensive one.
While they ultimately lost control of the lower chamber, Democratic House candidates outraised and outspent Republican candidates by roughly $700,000. Santa Fe Reporter Justin Horwath notes the numbers don't include totals from independent expenditure committees.
CASH IS NOT KING
Attorney General Gary King on the other hand had a difficult time raising money for his gubernatorial campaign. Susana Martinez outraised and outspent King 7 to 1. King's straddled with nearly $700,000 in personal campaign loan debt.
MOVING ON UP
Rep. Mimi Stewart will have to change her
. She's headed to the state senate. On a party-line vote, Bernalillo County Commissioners appointed her to fill the District 17 seat being vacated by state Auditor-elect Tim Keller. Next week commissioners, Dan McKay reports, are expected to appoint someone to fill Stewart's House seat.
DYSFUNCTION
Last year, Republican legislators complained about the number of proposed constitutional amendments, but that isn't stopping one Public Regulation Commissioner from suggesting an amendment to replace the regulatory body's elected commissioners with a three-person panel appointed by the governor. The current system, Patrick Lyons, who won reelection in November, say is dysfunctional. A 2012 amendment, passed by voters, requires PRC candidates to have certain qualifications to qualify as a candidate. Lyons' idea appears to stem from a interoffice battle with fellow Commissioner Valerie Espinoza. .
BETTER TOMORROWS?
The New Mexicans for a Better Tomorrow, a conservative political action committee in Las Cruces, that is trying to recall three city councilors, Olga Pedroza, Gill Sorg and Nathan Small, has already raised over $30,000 for their effort. Diana Alba Soular reports the members of the business coalition have said they want to counter the influence of local progressive groups in politics and "foster a healthy balance between businesses and local government."
RIP
US Rep. Steve Pearce's mother died in Hobbs yesterday. Charlotte Allyne “Jane” Garnett Pearce was 89. His father, Melvin Pearce passed in 2008.
REBUKED
Before flying home to arrange funeral services, Pearce, joined other Republicans in Washington and voted to rebuke President Barack Obama for his November executive action to curb immigrant deportations. US Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham opposed the house majority's move to declared Obama's actions "null and void." In his new national role as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign, Rep. Lujan called the vote a stunt. He wants Republican leaders to allow a floor vote on comprehensive immigration reform Read more at the Albuquerque Journal
TREATMENT
Supporters of the bill say it would help reduce hospitalization and jail costs in the long term. Opponents say it compromises the civil liberties of patients.
PREMIUMS
SECURITY
Legislation to designate the 45,000-acre Columbine Hondo Wilderness Area north of Taos also was wrapped into the National Defense Authorization Act.
WIPPed
BLASTED
Balderas charged that the department failed to act on repeated reports of conflict of interest and financial mismanagement at the Albuquerque-based Southwest Learning Centers, which operates three technology-centered charter schools for different age groups.
Santa Fe Reporter