Legislative Pay Should Come With Accountability

This November, New Mexico voters will decide HJR 5, a constitutional amendment that would give state legislators an annual salary tied to New Mexico's median household income that will automatically adjust annually, currently estimated at about $67,800 per legislator. The salary would be in addition to existing per diem and mileage benefits.

For taxpayers, the cost is significant. The Legislative Finance Committee estimates salaries for New Mexico's 112 legislators would cost approximately $7.6 million every year, before employer payroll taxes and any additional benefits.

NMBC (New Mexico Business Coalition_ took a closer look at how that proposal compares regionally. New Mexico legislators currently receive $247 per day in per diem, among the highest rates in the region, and participate in a legislative retirement system. If the ballot question passes in November, the proposed salary would be higher than legislative salaries in Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Oklahoma, based on NMBC's comparison.

And that raises an important question: If taxpayers are asked to provide a full annual salary, what additional accountability should taxpayers receive in return?

After Decades of Political Control, New Mexico is Still Waiting for Results

(Online Version): https://www.abortionfreenm.com/news/after-decades-of-political-control-new-mexico-is-still-waiting-for-results

[Editor's Note: This was sent to me by the author, as he wanted it posted, with further comments from him at the bottom..]

Good evening, members of the Silver City Town Council. First of all, I would like to apologize for only coming to see you when there is a problem. I'm sure that you would like to look out and see me in the audience and not wonder, why is he here ? I would also like to thank all of you for being willing to serve on this council.

Around 6:30 in the morning on Thursday, May 14th, an accident occurred on Highway 90 between a Silver City police vehicle and a bicyclist. The cyclist, a 65-year-old highly experienced bike rider and a retired medical doctor, was critically injured and was flown by helicopter from the scene to a trauma center in El Paso. He is a friend of mine, with whom I worked for many years at Gila Regional Medical Center. Fortunately, although he is still in rehab, it appears that he will make a full recovery.

URGENT: Help Stop S. 1476 Before Wednesday's Senate Vote

The fight over the Gila has reached a critical moment.

Dear Heritage Waters Coalition Members and concerned ranchers and farmers,

S. 1476, the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, is scheduled for consideration at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting on June 10.

Heritage Waters Coalition strongly opposes this bill.

S. 1476 would place new federal restrictions across the Gila watershed and could permanently affect rural water use, agriculture, grazing, irrigation, local economies, and community decision-making in southwest New Mexico. Rural families, ranchers, farmers, acequia users, small businesses, and local communities deserve a voice before Washington moves this bill forward.

We need your help now.

Understanding Emerge America's Influence in New Mexico

Many voters focus only on the names on the ballot. But behind many campaigns are well-funded organizations working year-round to recruit candidates, train activists, and influence public policy in New Mexico. Emerge America is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 that recruits and trains progressive/socialist Democrat women to run for public office. Its programs focus on campaign strategy, fundraising, communications, … Read More

Part 2:

Abortion Free New Mexico Responds to Governor Lujan Grisham's Celebartion of Expanded Abortion Pill Access

(Online Version): https://www.abortionfreenm.com/news/abortion-free-new-mexico-responds-to-governor-lujan-grishams-celebration-of-expanded-abortion-pill-access

Governor Celebrates Abortion Pill Access Despite the FDA's Black Box Warning for Hemorrhage, Infection, and Sepsis

By Bud Shaver,

​ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Following Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's June 8 social media statement celebrating expanded abortion-pill access and New Mexico's abortion policies, Abortion Free New Mexico is challenging the Governor's characterization of abortion expansion as a public health success.

[See the rest of the article at the online version link above.]

Video: Planned Parenthood Escorts Obstruct Dialogue as Volunteers Offer Alternatives Outside Albuquerque Facility

(Online Version): https://www.abortionfreenm.com/news/video-planned-parenthood-escorts-obstruct-dialogue-as-volunteers-offer-alternatives-outside-albuquerque-facility

Video Footage Highlights Stark Contrast Outside Albuquerque's Largest Planned Parenthood Facility

By Bud Shaver,

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Abortion Free New Mexico is highlighting what it describes as a stark contrast between abortion industry escorts and pro-life volunteers following a recent interaction outside the Planned Parenthood facility on Eubank Boulevard in Albuquerque.

[See link above for entire article.]

For years, a familiar ghost has been used to haunt the halls of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe: "litigation crisis." We are told that greedy trial lawyers and "runaway" juries are driving doctors out of New Mexico and forcing medical malpractice premiums into the stratosphere.

But according to the American Medical Association's (AMA) own latest data, that ghost doesn't exist. 2024 Data from the National Practitioners Data Bank paints a different story.

Total medical malpractice lawsuit compensation for victims – NM ranks 15th nationally

Average medical malpractice lawsuit compensation for victims – New Mexico ranks 25th nationally