WHAT'S HAPPENING
GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS WITH REVISED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER
Gov. Lujan Grisham has rolled back her Public Health Order because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in New Mexico. She's forced restaurants to again end dine-in services, a move that some estimate could lead to permanent closings for 20% of the state's restaurants. The governor also banned out of state visitors from using state parks, canceled contact sports for schools this fall and ordered more stringent mask rules. Despite lower mortality rates, no true science behind her decisions, and some counties having fewer than 5 COVID-19 cases, the governor continues her inequitable orders that are devastating the state's economy.
Here's the story from the Associated Press:
NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT TO HEAR REPUBLICAN PARTY-FINANCED CASE ON ILLEGAL FINES AGAINST BUSINESSES
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case filed by a handful of New Mexico businesses, charging Gov. Lujan Grisham went too far when she imposed hefty fines as part of her Public Health Order. The lawsuit, backed and financed by the Republican Party of New Mexico, claims the governor doesn't have the authority to assess $5,000 fines against businesses that remained open after her call to shut them down. Under state statute, the governor doesn't have the power to do this. Many businesses have been crippled after being fined as much as $135,000 as part of her Public Health Order.
The High Court will hear oral arguments on August 4.
Here's an interview Chairman Pearce did with KKOB Radio on the lawsuit:
BIPARTISAN INVESTIGATION BEGINS INTO GOVERNOR OVERSTEPPING HER AUTHORITY TO APPROVE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY SPENDING
The New Mexico Legislative Council has decided to investigate Gov. Lujan Grisham over her approving more than $30 million from the General Fund in emergency spending for the pandemic. The governor has again ignored the legislature that's responsible for approving such funds.
Here's a statement from Chairman Pearce:
"The bipartisan Legislative Council's decision to investigate Gov. Lujan Grisham is another example of how she continues to try to wield her power. Whether it's masks, election reform, fining businesses or using money without approval from the legislature, the governor believes she can bypass other branches of government to do what she wants. The legislature controls the purse strings, and she doesn't get it. She must understand there's something called checks and balances, and she can't spend millions of dollars in emergency money that's not approved."
https://www.abqjournal.com/1473501/lawmakers-to-scrutinize-nms-emergency-spending.html:
CONCERNS OVER SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION THIS FALL
Parents and educators are worried about how COVID-19 will impact special needs students. On-site location is particularly important for these students. The governor has said if the virus increases, schools will not open as planned. The governor is taking away the right to an education for students. She has been saying that science drives her decisions, but this "science" isn't there! Kids need to be back in school!
Here are two stories:
RESTAURANTS STAGE VIRTUAL PROTEST ACROSS NEW MEXICO
Restaurants across New Mexico held a virtual protest yesterday in response to the governor's modified Public Health Order that bans indoor seating for the second time since the pandemic started.
The protest was put together by the New Mexico Restaurant Association.
"It's going to be harder to come back from this closure than it was the last closure," Association President Carol Wight said.
Thanks to the governor's Public Health Order, more than two hundred restaurants have closed permanently and thousands of employees continued to be threatened with job losses. We need to open our restaurants!
Meantime, House Republicans have now sent a letter to Gov. Lujan Grisham, announcing their support for the thousands of New Mexicans and local businesses that will be adversely affected by her more restrictive Order.
They're asking Lujan Grisham to reconsider her decision.
Here's the House Republicans' letter:
SHUTTERED DOORS, SHATTERED DREAMS
Another company is closing its doors as a result of the pandemic and the governor's strict orders. The Tricklock Company theater in Albuquerque has taken its last bow, the latest victim of COVID-19. The theater has been around for 27 years.