Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

“I have zero confidence in the Trump administration”: Gov. presses ahead with $30 million in state SNAP funds

The $30 million that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pledged to offset losses in federal SNAP funding will go out as promised, even though two court rulings issued Friday direct the Trump administration to tap a contingency fund to pay out some of those benefits.  โ€œBecause I have zero confidence in the Trump administration to release […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov.

State GOP legislators disapprove of Gov’s SNAP fix and unusual use of emergency powers to fund it

A day after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the state would use $30 million of its own funds to cover SNAP benefits for 459,500 New Mexicans, State legislative Republicans are questioning the decision and the unusual way the governor made the funds available.  New Mexico Legislative Republicans contacted today by New Mexico Political Report […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

NM open government group sues Department of Public Safety for public records delays, denials

By Patrick Lohmann, Source NM — The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government announced Tuesday it is suing the state Department of Public Safety for what it calls a โ€œpattern and practiceโ€ of delaying or denying news organizationsโ€™ access to public records. This story is republished from Source NM, a part of States Newsroom, the […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, New Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos

State moving to expedite food bank aid amid SNAP benefit suspension, governor saysย 

New Mexico is preparing to quickly distribute millions of dollars to food banks, as federal monthly food assistance benefits are expected to cease in November if the government shutdown continues. Gov. Michelle Lujan Griusham said in a press release on Saturday that her administration is considering every legal and administrative option to address the situation […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Heinrich, Lujรกn push back against claims that USDA can’t access funds for SNAP due next month

By Alex Rossย  — New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday disputed claims made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they lack the funds to cover the cost of next monthโ€™s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Heinrich and Lujan were among 45 Democratic Senators who signed […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos, Westside Albuquerque

Zamora edges out Leger Fernandez in latest fundraising period; Other Congressional candidates, incumbents report big numbers

By Alex Ross — Three months after filing the paperwork to run for Congress, new campaign finance reports show that State Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis) edged out Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03) in campaign contributions in the recent fundraising quarter.  Reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that between July 1 and […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos, Westside Albuquerque

Herrell backs Cunningham for GOP nomination in key congressional race

Former Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM-02) has officially endorsed Greg Cunningham to be the Republican nominee in the race for the congressional district she previously represented.  Cunningham, who earlier this month launched his bid for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), went public with Herrellโ€™s support Monday with a statement from his […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos, Westside Albuquerque

Freshman state senator steps down citing health concerns

State Sen. Nicholas Paul (R-Alamogordo) has resigned from the Legislature, less than a year after the businessman was elected to the New Mexico Senate.  โ€œAfter much prayer and reflection, my family and I have decided that due to current and ongoing health concerns, it is necessary for me to prioritize my health,โ€ Paul said in […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy

Holtec abandons plans for New Mexico nuclear waste storage facility opposed by gov, legislators

Holtec Industries has pulled out of an eight-year-old land use agreement with local stakeholders in Southeastย New Mexico for the construction and operation of an underground temporary nuclear waste storage facility.ย  Patrick Oโ€™Brien, a spokesperson for Holtec, confirmed in an email to New Mexico Political Report on Thursday that the decision for Holtec and the Eddy […]