In the News

State Rep. David Gallegos: Gov. Martinez’s leadership   Carlsbad Current-Argus By State Rep. David Gallegos Posted: 04/10/2014 http://www.currentargus.com/carlsbad-news/ci_25537583/commentary  When I read Sherry Robinson’s recent op-ed, my reaction was utter disbelief. Her piece falsely accused Governor Susana Martinez of ineffective governance, and lavished praise on Democrat gubernatorial candidate Lawrence Rael — a lobbyist — for his empty rhetoric. I’ve done some research, and it has only reinforced my initial reaction. Apparently, this isn’t the first time Robinson has leveled misleading and absurd attacks against the governor. In a piece that ran in the Carlsbad Current-Argus late last year, she accused the … Read More

“There’s More To Do, But I Believe In New Mexico And That Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today” Albuquerque, NM — Governor Susana Martinez today launched the first television commercial for her re-election campaign titled, “Helping People.” The commercial can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1LsrdV4458 “Governor Martinez is running a hopeful and optimistic campaign that highlights her reforms to move New Mexico forward, while our opponents continue their shrill, negative attacks aimed at returning our state to the failed policies of Bill Richardson,” campaign spokesman Chris Sanchez said. The advertisement highlights the challenging situation Governor Martinez inherited upon taking office. This … Read More

Editorial: CYFD reform is the right call for NM kids The Albuquerque Journal By: Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board PUBLISHED: Monday, April 7, 2014 http://www.abqjournal.com/380047/opinion/cyfd-reform-is-the-right-call-for-nm-kids.html A sweeping reform of the state’s Children Youth and Families Department has been long overdue. Now, in the wake of the tragic death of 9-year-old Omaree Varela in December, and other recent child abuse deaths, Gov. Susana Martinez has ordered significant and structural changes to the agency charged with protecting the state’s children. New Mexico has an abysmal record when it comes to doing just that. Since fiscal year 2008, 79 New Mexico children have died from child abuse or neglect. Since fiscal 2010, New Mexico has … Read More

Martinez cuts ribbon for new road, announces water projects By: Las Cruces Sun-News Date: 04/07/2014 http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-business/ci_25515946/martinez-cuts-ribbon-new-road-announces-water-projects LAS CRUCES >> With the $400 million Union Pacific rail facility operational, the state has prepared an artery for some of the traffic. Strauss Road in Santa Teresa is a six-mile highway built entirely of concrete to accommodate trucks. Gov. Susana Martinez was on hand Monday to help cut the ribbon for the road. “It is an important piece of infrastructure that will connect the Pete Domenici Highway to the new Union Pacific Intermodal yards,” said Jerry Pacheco, executive director of the International Business … Read More

EDITORIAL: New Mexico challenges its public-sector unions By: The Washington Times Date: April 4th, 2014 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/4/editorial-new-mexicos-example/  The success of governors holding unions to account in the union strongholds of Wisconsin and Michigan has inspired imitators. Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico — often mentioned as a prospective Republican vice presidential nominee in 2016 — wants the state government to quit collecting dues for the public-sector unions. Government collection of union dues is not particularly costly for taxpayers, but it’s a unique and valuable perk for the unions. It’s so valuable, in fact, that Ms. Martinez was immediately scolded by a … Read More

Letter To The Editor: Gov. Martinez is doing a great job The Albuquerque Journal By: Journal Staff PUBLISHED: Tuesday, April 1, 2014 http://www.abqjournal.com/377204/opinion/talk-of-the-town-122.html A RECENT Albuquerque Journal editorial unreasonably criticized Gov. Susana Martinez for allowing state employees to serve in more than one agency. What the editorial failed to mention, however, is how much our state’s fiscal health has improved under Martinez. In her first few months in office, Martinez closed the largest structural deficit in state history. I clearly remember the headlines. Her opponents said she could never overcome the deficit without making deep cuts to education and Medicaid. … Read More

ICYMI: Editorial: 2014′s new laws aimed at moving NM forward The Albuquerque Journal By: The Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 12:05 am http://www.abqjournal.com/370319/opinion/2014s-new-laws-aimed-at-moving-nm-forward.html Many of the bills New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed into law will make New Mexico a safer, healthier, more productive place. A few lay good groundwork and deserve follow-ups. And several important issues should be on the 2015 Legislature’s to-do list. First, congratulations to the lawmakers involved in getting bills to the governor’s desk that: Ban texting while driving and toughen penalties for metal theft. Shore up finances for the state’s … Read More

ICYMI: NM’s corporate tax advantage The Albuquerque Journal By: Winthrop Quigley Monday, March 3, 2014 at 5:53 pm http://www.abqjournal.com/362227 Legislation enacted last year to make New Mexico’s business tax climate more competitive did lower the effective tax rate on some businesses, but when combined with credits makes state taxes the lowest in the region for manufacturers, according to a New Mexico Tax Research Institute study. Changes in corporate income tax rates and new rules aimed at eliminating tax on income earned through sales of goods out of state lowered the effective tax rate on manufacturers 46.9 percent, from a 17.9 … Read More

ICYMI: Report: NM No. 1 in West for manufacturing The Albuquerque Journal By: Journal Staff Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 2:06 pm http://www.abqjournal.com/360076/biz/report-nm-no-1-in-west-for-manufacturing.html The New Mexico Economic Development Department reported Thursday that a newly released study completed by Ernst & Young ranks New Mexico as the best state in the nine-state Western Region for manufacturing because it now has the lowest effective tax rate for manufacturing companies. The New Mexico Jobs Package that passed in the 2013 Legislature was factored into the report which helped move New Mexico’s ranking from 51st in the nation in a 2011 Ernst & Young … Read More

ICYMI: Teacher absences plunge after new evals instituted, APS says The Albuquerque Journal By: Jon Swedien Wednesday, February 12, 2014 http://www.abqjournal.com/351745/news/aps-teacher-absences-plunge.html New Mexico’s new teacher evaluation system has led, at least in part, to a dramatic drop in teacher absences at Albuquerque Public Schools this year compared to last, according to the district’s superintendent and school board president. Teacher absences because of illness have dropped over 15 percent at APS during the first half of the current school year compared with the first half of last year, according to data from the district. Between August and January, there were 27,611 … Read More