ClearlySK

ABQ Journal: Apology given for tax bill information

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:48:48 -0400

ABQ Journal: Apology given for tax bill information:

“At least one … lawmaker said Tuesday that he did not think the tax package would have been approved by the Legislature if Clifford had originally portrayed the budget hit as negative.

‘If he would have told membership the truth, I don’t think they would have voted for it,’ said Rep. Jim Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, who voted against the bill.”

current: Bill Press: “This is a disgrace - raise the minimum...

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:29:18 -0500

current:

Bill Press: “This is a disgrace - raise the minimum wage already!”

(photo via)

Election Modernization! Awesome Op-Ed!

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:10:03 -0500

Op Ed originally found here: http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-opinion/ci_22555061/their-view-three-ways-improve-voting-process-new

Their View: Three ways to improve voting process in New Mexico

By Viki Harrison / For the Sun-News

Posted: 02/10/2013 01:00:00 AM MST

For many years now, New Mexicans have experienced aggressive efforts to require government issued photo ID’s at the polls. Many of the proponents have cited “widespread voter fraud” as a problem in desperate need of this solution.

Of course, when the actual facts are brought to light, virtually all of these voter fraud claims have proven to be baseless. But now of growing concern are the unintended consequences of these types of ill-considered proposals. Seniors, veterans and minority populations who may not have access to the required identification, are the most affected.

Protecting the integrity of our elections is of utmost importance. Of equal importance is ensuring no citizen is denied his or her right to vote and participate equally in our democracy.

To put it simply: We should not be passing laws that make it harder for people to vote.

As for the real motivation behind the mandatory voter ID effort, there is no need to speculate. Thanks to YouTube, a number of politicians were captured boasting openly about the policy’s true objective — rigging election outcomes for their own personal gain. Instead of chasing what one state legislator referred to as a voter fraud “boogeyman,” our elected officials have a responsibility to enact laws that will protect the integrity of our elections and foster greater voter participation.

New Mexico turnout in the November 2012 General Election was only 63 percent, low in comparison to other states and a drop from the state’s turnouts in both 2008 and 2004. Many who did show up on Election Day encountered problems with outdated voter registration systems in communities like Rio Rancho and Chaparral, where voters were left off rolls or had their information incorrectly entered into the system. Those problems led to frustratingly long lines and election results that often took weeks to sort through.

It’s a disgrace. In America, no one ever again should have to endure the indignity of waiting in line in a field for hours after nightfall in hopes of exercising their right to vote — as happened in Chapparal, New Mexico, in November 2012.

New Mexicans deserve a modern system that protects the integrity of our democracy and ensures that our voting system is free, fair, and accessible to all eligible voters. We have access to 21st century equipment and technology and we have a responsibility to employ its use in effectively administering our voter registration and election processes.

We can modernize our elections in New Mexico with three simple fixes. We should expand the voter registration deadline, pre-register our 17-year-olds, and create an online registration option. These improvements will bring our state’s elections into the 21st century and ensure that our keep faith with our democratic values that all eligible voters should have their voices heard.

Utilizing a modern online voter registration system that doesn’t require an arbitrarily early registration deadline would increase inclusivity of more eligible voters and ensure greater accuracy. In Milwaukee, a city only slightly larger than Albuquerque, 17 percent of total turnout was made possible by removing obstacles eligible voters faced due to voter registration deadlines. As a result, the city had an 87 percent turnout in the Nov. 6, 2012 election.

And let’s foster good citizenship and civic pride in those who will one day be of our state’s future leaders. Seventeen-year-olds should have the opportunity to pre-register prior to their 18th birthday in time to vote in elections that occur after they’re of age. Voting should be a young person’s exciting first act of citizenship.

Let us actively encourage and celebrate this moment for upcoming generations — rather than squandering it through bureaucratic complacency and unnecessary red tape. Without a permanent, automatic, and dependable online voter registration system, many eligible voters will continue to show up to participate on Election Day but be turned away when confusion or mistakes occur.

Bringing an antiquated process into the 21st century with these three simple fixes will go a long way toward addressing the problems voters encountered on election day last November. New Mexicans deserve to have confidence in their electoral process and to know that elections are truly representative of the will of people.

Viki Harrison is executive director of Common Cause New Mexico.

There are Election Day DEALS/FREEBIES today. Find out where!

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:17:56 -0500

There are Election Day DEALS/FREEBIES today. Find out where!

election: THIS IS IT. Today, we ask you to take 3 simple...

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:49:58 -0500

election:

THIS IS IT.

Today, we ask you to take 3 simple steps:

Using the Our Time tool in the footer of this page, PLEDGE to vote and LOOK UP your polling place and local ballot lineup.

Get your ass to a polling place and VOTE like your future depends on it (if you haven’t already). In 10 states you can even register to vote AT your polling place - so if you’re in ID, IA, ME, MN, MT, NH, RI, DC, WI, or WY, you really have no reason not to get out there today!

Post a photo of yourself sporting an “I voted” sticker or in any other way congratulating yourself for being a good citizen today - and tag it #GPOTV (yes, that’s GPOY + GOTV).

Then you are free to sit back and follow the developments here, here, here, and here.

Thank you, from all of us at Tumblr.

(poster art by Justin Nottke via govote)

Photo

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:31:54 -0500

Seriously. It feels amazing.

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:31:01 -0500

Seriously. It feels amazing.

Look out for groups targeting certain voters — using...

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:26:10 -0500

Look out for groups targeting certain voters — using bullies to challenge their right to vote and that’s wrong. Protecting the integrity of our elections is important, but allowing Election Day bullies to interfere is not the answer and is un-American. As a voter, know your rights.

For the spanish speaking: 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota

I saw this unfold over the last week. Regardless of your views,...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:01:20 -0400

I saw this unfold over the last week. Regardless of your views, any campaigning AT ALL is prohibited within 100 ft of a polling center. This store was asked to take down their sign, which they interpreted thusly.

HEY, NM! Don't get bullied at the voting booth!

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:54:32 -0400

Y’all, having the opportunity to vote is your RIGHT. People are out there trying to take it away from you, learn up on the topic and don’t let them push you around at the polls!

True The Vote – a totally sketch ideological group under investigation by the US Congress — released a series of “poll watcher” trainings in NM with more incorrect information that will likely lead to voter bullying and vigilante poll challenges.

The videos, released online over the weekend to True The Vote email subscribers, were emailed to a staffer from local organization, ProgressNowNM, who signed up for information from True The Vote using his real name.

True The Vote instructs participants to complete eight short video sessions, then contact their local True The Vote leader to be recommended as a poll challenger. Poll challengers are appointed by the major parties.

ProgressNowNM has compiled a short video comparing True The Vote’s training to New Mexico law. The video is available online at ProgressNowNM.org

On October 5, the same day that Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD) announced a congressional investigation into voter fraud tactics by True The Vote, ProgressNowNM also released an audio recording of New Mexico’s True The Vote state leader, David Harris, telling an undercover staffer that he was teaching a Republican-party poll challenger training. Coordination between the non-profit True the Vote and political parties is prohibited under IRS rules.

Two days later, Attorney General Gary King announced his investigation into plans to intimidate eligible voters in New Mexico, based on ProgressNowNM’s recordings. His office also put out clarifications on New Mexico’s election laws and warned that “Voter suppression or any type of infringement upon the free elective process is a violation of the Election Code and may be punished criminally.”

ProgressNowNM continues to fact-check the True The Vote training videos. In just the single video on Election Day activity, we identified at least seven instructions in direct violation of New Mexico election law or contrary to New Mexico polling place practice. Each of which could lead to confusion and frustration by voters and unnecessary bullying and challenges among poll workers.

“At this point, no one involved in training poll workers in New Mexico can pretend to accidentally give out misinformation,” says Pat Davis, Executive Director of ProgressNowNM. “They are on notice from everyone from Congress to the attorney general to county clerks that their actions are wrong and disruptive; yet, they continue.”

“I’m no conspiracy theorist, but this looks pretty well planned and organized; the law be damned,” added Davis.

ABQ Journal Editorial Board endorses Medicaid opportunity :)

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:57:00 -0400

I imagine it’s hard to type while gritting your teeth but, hey, an endorsement is an endorsement! Check out the (begrudgingly) pro-Medicaid Opportunity editorial:

Article here.

Editorial: N.M. Should Embrace Medicaid Expansion

By Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board on Sun, Sep 30, 2012

It is time for New Mexico to bite the Medicaid expansion bullet.

Contrary to what advocates argue, this isn’t a no-brainer game-changing panacea. It’s just that after weighing the pros and cons, the scales come down on the side of doing it.

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court affirmation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, states have the option of expanding Medicaid. The federal government has promised to pick up the lion’s share of the cost.

The ACA — aka Obamacare — would extend Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. If that happens, about 170,000 New Mexicans could be added to the state’s Medicaid rolls.

Medicaid, which currently pays health care costs primarily for low-income children, the elderly and disabled people, is jointly financed by the federal and state governments. It currently covers about one-fourth of New Mexico’s population, or about 550,000 people, most of them children. At this time the feds pay about three-fourths of the state’s roughly $4 billion program annually.

Proponents say that in addition to increasing the number of people who have health care coverage, the expansion will inject billions of dollars into the state economy, develop a more robust health care infrastructure especially in rural areas and create thousands of jobs in the health care industry and in other businesses as a result of the increased economic activity.

With the feds picking up virtually 100 percent of the cost for the first three years of expansion starting in 2014 — although the state Human Services Department says it could be 97 percent — and 90 percent thereafter through 2020, what’s not to like?

A lot. A good argument can be made that it’s bad policy for the country. All this infusion of cash comes from the federal government, which doesn’t have any. So this is borrowed money.

And for New Mexico, at some point we need to be good at something other than poverty as a way of generating economic activity.

Plus, the state will have to cough up a larger share — an estimated additional $320 million to $500 million for 2014 through 2020.

Ultimately it’s up to Gov. Susana Martinez to decide whether the state takes the federal government up on its offer. But either way, New Mexicans’ federal taxes will go into a pot to pay for Medicaid expansion in the states that participate.

A sticking point is that adding upward of 170,000 eligible New Mexicans to the program is going to slam the state’s already burdened health care system that is desperately short, especially in rural areas, of medical personnel — up to 600 primary care physicians and 1,000 nurses.

That will require a sea change in how services are delivered. Instead of automatically seeing a primary care doctor, patients might see a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant, or have their meds prescribed by a pharmacist. More thought might go into what medical services are really necessary. Large providers have already started gearing up for the influx of new patients.

Some prognosticators say having more people with access to routine and preventative care should help dampen costs overall by decreasing the use of emergency rooms for nonemergencies. And some say having nearly everyone covered for medical services will keep costs down in the long run for those who have insurance, as providers will no longer have to make up for people who don’t pay their bills by raising the premiums of the insured. Time will tell whether any of that is true. While advocates say this will keep people out of hospitals, UNMH is already citing the expansion as one reason it needs more acute care hospital beds.

While polls show America is divided on the Affordable Care Act as a whole, it is clear that opting out will do nothing for New Mexicans. Although it will increase the amount of money spent on health care in the state budget, New Mexico can’t afford to walk away from the federal government’s offer — and the expansion is aimed at people in need.

Martinez has shown real compassion on public safety net issues before, and this is a chance — not a sure bet — to offer more New Mexicans a healthier future.

She should sign New Mexico up.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.

Psst.

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:19:03 -0400

I know things have been quiet from this page lately, but I’ve got all kinds of plans for more stuff from here on out. Get ready for it!

Susana Martinez, Local News, and "Forcible Rape."

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:14:28 -0400

Local news < National News on Susana Martinez’s “Forcible Rape” issue

Ok, so real quick, lemme catch you up, in case you missed the situation:

The situation is this: Forcible rape.

You see, it came out last week that New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’s administration was proposing revisions to the state’s child care assistance program that would require a woman who had conceived her child while being raped to prove that it was “forcible” rape—before being exempted from a requirement to seek child support from the father of the child.

It’s pretty ridiculous because, as we all know, rape is rape, period.

The War on Women has been a huge fight on the national level and advocates consider the proposed changes to be a terrible, terrible way for the state to cast aspersions (#big word) on its own people who have survived rape and violence.

If you want more information, I promise that I’ll supply you with PEH-LENTY of resources – because it’s the articles written and news coverage covered that I want to talk about.

Ok, so first, here’s a list of National Stories talking about NM and the Issue:

· (The Young Turks,a weeknight news and political commentary program airing on CurrentTV) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6MLy8LIvc&feature=youtube_gdata /

· http://current.com/community/93909630_new-mexico-gov-only-women-forcibly-raped-need-apply.htm

· http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-844439

· http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/article/2012/09/19/new-mexico-governor-susan-martinez-seeks-proof-forcible-rape-in-applications-chil

· http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/susana-martinez-forcible-rape-new-mexico_n_1901130.html#comments

· http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/new-mexico-forcible-rape-child-care-policy_n_1898617.html

· http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/09/20/881971/new-mexico-gov-forcible-rape/

· http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/20/new-mexico-governor-forcible-rape?newsfeed=true

· http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2012/09/21/will-new-mexico-women-have-to-contact-their-rapists-in-order-to-get-child-care/

· http://www.examiner.com/article/new-mexico-requiring-proof-of-rape-for-victims-to-get-childcare-assistance

· http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/333237

· http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/20/1134525/-NM-Governor-Susana-Martinez-seeks-proof-of-Forcible-Rape-in-applications-for-Childcare-Assistance

· http://jezebel.com/5945084/want-welfare-in-new-mexico-better-be-ready-to-prove-you-were-forcibly-raped

· http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/09/20/new-mexicos-republican-governor-wants-proof-of-forcible-rape/

· http://www.inquisitr.com/338117/new-mexico-may-require-women-to-prove-they-were-forcibly-raped/

· http://www.thedailydolt.com/2012/09/20/in-new-mexico-you-are-only-exempt-from-seeking-child-support-from-your-rapist-if-the-rape-was-forcible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-new-mexico-you-are-only-exempt-from-seeking-child-support-from-your-rapist-if-the-rape-was-forcible

· http://shiracoffee.tumblr.com/post/31931586644/not-only-did-martinez-refer-to-forcible-rape-in

· http://www.xojane.com/issues/want-childcare-assistance-in-new-mexico-prove-you-were-forcibly-raped-first

· http://kglp.blogspot.com/2012/09/nm-forcible-rape-language-for-child.html

· http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/parenting/new-mexico-gov-susana-martinez-may-require-women-prove-forcible-rape-get

· http://calcasa.org/calcasa/governor-removes-forcible-rape-language-from-new-mexico-policy/

· http://forcechange.com/34565/get-rid-of-the-term-forcible-rape-in-new-mexicos-policy-changes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-rid-of-the-term-forcible-rape-in-new-mexicos-policy-changes

· http://feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=13883

· http://veracitystew.com/2012/09/22/new-mexico-gov-only-women-forcibly-raped-need-apply/

WHOO, boy. That’s a lot of coverage and from big ‘uns too – like The Guardian, CNN iReport, Ms. Magazine, Jezebel, and such. Ok, so for an issue taking place in our own state, you’d think that the local news would be ALL OVER IT. But, um, well, let’s go ahead and look at New Mexico coverage:

· Doug Fernandez on KOAT 7 at 6PM 9/20:

“Tonight, rape victims and their supporters are mad at the wrong person – the governor. It’s all due to the debate over adding the word “forcible to the word “rape.” CYFD made a proposal to add the word “forcible” to “rape” in dealing with certain child care services in the state. The governor is now being attacked over this—but she says unfortunately, in order to get federal money to help rape victims, this is how the federal government requires it to be written. Martinez: “When we qualify or apply for federal monies to help moms with health/uh…child care… that’s where the language came from. It is not language that we created.” But a number of rape advocacy groups tell us, if this goes into effect… women in New Mexico will be forced to prove their sexual assault qualified as “forcible rape” in order to get childcare assistance for a child that’s the result of rape.”

· http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2772569.shtml

· El Paso, Tx: http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/wording-changed-proposed-policy-las-cruces-crisis-/nSJZx/

· Blogs/Online Sources:

o http://www.nmtelegram.com/2012/09/20/forcible-rape-language-removed-from-proposed-policy/

o  http://www.elgritonm.org/2012/09/20/proposed-child-care-provision-penalize-mothers-whove-been-raped-advocates-say/

o http://www.elgritonm.org/2012/09/19/nm-advocates-decry-use-of-forcible-rape-language-by-gov-susana-martinez/

o eep: http://newsnewmexico.blogspot.com/2012/09/some-decry-use-of-forcible-rape-in.html

o http://www.independentsourcepac.com/rape-is-rape.html

Hmm, ok. That’s really not a lot, especially if we look at the big players in local news: Only two TV stations IN NM, one in Texas. Good work, NM news. /sarcasm

Then, the worst part, look at how KOAT handled the issue! No going to a couple sources? Just ask the guv and close the case? Lame. I really thought our local media was better than this.

It’s just CRAZY to me how, even living in NM, we have to look to outside sources for the news that happens in our own state.

i-will-be-strong-4-you: SMILING BUNNY…WHAT…WHAT…OMG….DEAD

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:15:10 -0400

i-will-be-strong-4-you:

SMILING BUNNY…WHAT…WHAT…OMG….DEAD

pushbuttonkitty: by request

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:06:15 -0400

pushbuttonkitty:

by request

This week in the Be One Thousand saga: I hit up UNM to see who...

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:39:02 -0400

This week in the Be One Thousand saga: I hit up UNM to see who wants to represent for the thousands of New Mexicans who’d be granted access to health care is Gov. Martinez chooses to take advantage of the Medicaid opportunity!

Help me out. I’ve got 30 out of 150 pictures! Slap a bandaid on, snap a picture, submit it to me. Be one thousand!

Sad Dawson is rockin’ the adhesive bandage. Clearly in...

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:49:14 -0400

Sad Dawson is rockin’ the adhesive bandage. Clearly in support of the Medicaid opportunity. Join him! Be One Thousand!

Tumblr-ers! I need your help! Watch this video and snap a...

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:34:02 -0400

Tumblr-ers! I need your help! Watch this video and snap a picture wearing a bandaid.

Be one thousand to show support for the 150,000 who will be granted health care if Susana Martinez takes advantage of the Medicaid opportunty

Photo

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:22:43 -0400

unmlobolife: The Beautiful UNM SUB Theater

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:13:31 -0400

unmlobolife:

The Beautiful UNM SUB Theater