WHAT'S HAPPENING
NM HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RESIGNS AMID CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigned last week as authorities continue their state investigation into racketeering, money laundering and kickbacks. The Democrat from Albuquerque is suspected of pocketing public money through her work with Albuquerque Public Schools. She allegedly took millions of dollars through various companies and entities that were meant to go to APS. Authorities last week executed search warrants at her home and business. If Stapleton committed these serious crimes and profited, this criminal behavior deserves swift action. If true, Williams not only violated the public trust but also ripped off APS and thousands of students.
Stapleton denies the allegations.
"This is a sad day in New Mexico politics," said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. "I know Rep. Stapleton personally, and we have worked together, but there's no excuse for what she's apparently done. These actions must be dealt with appropriately. She should step down because she has violated the public trust and violated her oath of office to New Mexicans. Rep. Stapleton must be held accountable, and we hope the investigation and judicial process will take the proper course in this matter."
Here's the story in the Albuquerque Journal
GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM MANDATES VACCINATIONS FOR ALL STATE WORKERS
The state is now requiring that all state government employees be vaccinated. If they aren't, they will be tested every two weeks. New Mexico is joining the federal government, California and New York City in requiring immunization or regular testing for their public employees. Lujan Grisham says if state workers don't comply, they will face disciplinary action—even termination. This is another case of governmental control over New Mexicans.
The mandate went into effect yesterday.
"This is the latest example of Gov. Lujan Grisham overstepping her authority and having government make personal choices for its citizens," said RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce. "Now she is threatening to fire any state employee if they don't comply with her executive order. Again, there is no rhyme or reason to her random decisions. The Governor has never had a logical or sensible plan to deal with the pandemic from day one, and this latest knee jerk reaction to deal with COVID is a slap in the face to hardworking state employees. No science, just politics. The Governor should be focused on what's happening at our border as more and more people with COVID are crossing into New Mexico. They are coming here with no proper health checks, vaccinations or masks, posing great threats to the health and well-being of New Mexicans."
Here's the story from KRQE-TV:
DOZENS OF STATE POLICE OFFICERS TO ARRIVE IN ALBUQUERQUE
Gov. Lujan Grisham has announced plans to send 50 State Police officers to the Albuquerque metro to combat crime. The move comes as the number of homicides continues to soar in the Duke City. Albuquerque is on pace to easily shatter its one-year record of 82 murders in 2019. As crime continues to rise in Albuquerque, why wasn't such action taken earlier? It seems the state and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller just cannot get a handle on this crime problem. Keller had pledged he would address the crime problem when he ran for mayor, but the problem has gotten worse: not enough officers, too few resources and our police are leaving the force for other states.