Albuquerque Journal capitol bureau chief. Husband, dad, lapsed fly-fisherman and Montana native. ex-
@idahostatej
RTs are not endorsements.
@abqjournal
I’m back, New Mexico! Excited to share I’ll be rejoining the Albuquerque Journal starting next week — just in time for the special session. I look forward to working with a great team of journalists while covering government and politics in this amazing state.
#nmpol
Breaking: After an extended review, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has issued an order withdrawing federal lands within a 10-mile radius of
#NM
’s Chaco Canyon from new oil and natural gas leasing for the next 20 years: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: For first time in
#NM
history, women will make up a majority in the 70-member state House. There will be 37 female House members -- 28 Democrats, eight Republicans and one independent -- come January, based on unofficial election results.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued executive order protecting abortion access in
#NM
. Among other things, order protects health care professionals and assets state will not not comply with abortion-related extradition requests from other states.
#nmpol
Democrat Gabe Vasquez is the apparent winner in
#NM
’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Republican Yvette Herrell. The outcome of the race could have big national implications: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Some personal news: After 16 years, today is my last day at the Albuquerque Journal. I’m planning to spend a year abroad with my family and then decide what’s next.
It’s been quite a ride keeping New Mexicans informed on state government and political issues. Thanks for reading!
It’s the final day of the
#DNC
. U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former
#NM
congresswoman, is among those confirmed to be speaking tonight. She’s expected to focus her remarks on climate change.
#nmpol
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will make a stop this week in Albuquerque and will also visit both the Navajo and Hopi Nation for discussions with local and tribal leaders on roadway safety and infrastructure needs. More details to come.
#nmpol
If the name Solomon Pena sounds familiar, it's because I wrote several stories about his past criminal record and a legal attempt (ultimately unsuccessful) to have him bumped off the ballot:
#nmpol
#nmleg
Albuquerque police have arrested a former
#NM
Republican state House candidate in connection with high-profile recent shootings targeting Democratic elected officials' homes. Follow
@EliseKapNM
for updates: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: A constitutional amendment earmarking increased funding from
#NM
's largest permanent fund for early childhood programs and K-12 schools is projected to have been approved by a resounding margin: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: A
#NM
state agency last week denied repeated requests from ICE for direct access to state employee and employer records: via
@ABQJournal
#nmleg
#nmpol
Voting update for
#NM
CD1 special election. Total of 71,309 votes have been cast with three days of early voting left. Here's breakdown by party affiliation:
Democrats - 42,069
Republicans - 20,577
Libertarians - 318
Independents/other - 8,345
Election Day is June 1.
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed new abortion-related executive order that pledges $10 million to build new state-funded abortion clinic in Dona Ana County. Order comes as
#NM
has seen recent influx in out-of-state residents seeking abortion services.
#nmpol
Breaking: More than nine months after first shots were administered,
#NM
has reached 70% of adult residents with all doses necessary to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. State's vaccine administration has regional gaps, but is highest among any western state.
#nmpol
New Mexico will provide free school meals to all K-12 students statewide, under bill signed today by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at a Santa Fe elementary school. The new law will also provide incentives for school districts to buy local and healthy produce.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Voting update for
#NM
CD1 special election. With 52,569 votes cast, here's voter breakdown by party affiliation entering final full week of early voting:
Democrats - 31,640
Republicans - 14,581
Libertarians - 236
Independent/other - 6,112
Election Day is June 1.
#nmpol
Breaking: President Joe Biden will appoint Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to a national Council of Governors, deepening ties between the state and federal administrations as the 2024 election cycle looms on the horizon: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking:
#NM
Supreme Court rules in favor of legislators in dispute over spending authority for $1.7 billion in federal relief funds. The court will issue order barring Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham from spending unallocated funds without legislative approval.
#nmpol
#nmleg
A lobbyist just testified against a proposed
#NM
clean fuel standards bill on behalf of one client — then moments later testified in support of the bill on behalf of a different client. Not sure I’ve seen that before.
#nmleg
Journal Poll: Michelle Lujan Grisham has maintained her lead over Mark Ronchetti in a hard-hitting
#NM
governor race. The incumbent holds a 8-point lead over GOP challenger, due largely to support among female and Hispanic voters: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking:
#NM
Senate votes 22-15 to pass cannabis legalization bill. It still has to go back to House for final approval, but now appears state will be latest to enact legalization law.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking:
#NM
Supreme Court unanimously rules that Gov. Lujan Grisham administration had authority to ban indoor restaurant dining in attempt to slow spread of COVID-19. Court also rules action was not arbitrary and capricious.
#nmpol
#NM
officials say health care providers in the state received nearly 1,000 job applications from Texas after launching a recent month-long marketing campaign that included billboards and full-page newspaper ads: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: The
#NM
Supreme Court has ordered the Otero County Commission to approve primary election results by Friday. The order comes after Otero County commissioners refused to certify results, prompting Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver to file court petition.
#nmpol
Senate votes 35-0 to approve bill increasing
#NM
minimum starting teacher pay to $50,000 per year -- up from $40,000 per year currently. Minimum pay levels for more experienced teachers would also be raised under Senate Bill 1, which now advances to House.
#nmleg
#nmpol
After the
#NM
Restaurant Association claimed 1,000 eateries closed during the pandemic, my colleague
@AlainaMencinger
dug into the numbers. Turns out there are 350 more restaurants permitted than pre-pandemic: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Amid recent surge in new COVID-19 cases,
#NM
state Sen. Jeff Steinborn has filed legislation for upcoming 30-day session that would earmark $60 million in federal relief funds to procure at-home testing kits and KN95 face masks for state residents.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday she will push during upcoming legislative session for all
#NM
K-12 students to get free school meals. She described the plan as latest effort to address chronic statewide poverty: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
#nmleg
Breaking:
#NM
's 2020 general election results have been certified by the State Canvassing board. Joe Biden won the state by 10.8 percentage points over Donald Trump. That's up slightly from Hillary Clinton's statewide victory by 8.3 points over Trump in 2016.
#nmpol
Voting update for
#NM
CD1 election. With 65,585 total votes cast, here's voter breakdown by party affiliation entering final four days of early voting:
Democrats - 38,963
Republicans - 18,705
Libertarians - 292
Independents/other - 7,652
Election Day is June 1.
#nmpol
Breaking: Democrat Deb Haaland is the projected winner in the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District. Depending on outcome of other races tonight, she could become first Native American woman elected to Congress.
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says she’ll call
#NM
special session on cannabis legalization in about two weeks, saying “incredible framework” for legalization is in place even though it was not approved during 60-day session.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: The
#NM
Senate has voted 22-20 approve an extreme risk protection order law, or red-flag gun bill, that would allow firearms to be temporarily seized from those deemed to be dangerous. The measure now advances to the House, where it's expected to pass.
#nmleg
#nmpol
A
#NM
face mask mandate for indoor public settings will remain in place through at least March 4, under revised public health order issued today. The state's number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped over last week, but still high due to omicron variant.
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announces in post-session news conference that
#NM
face mask mandate for indoor public settings is lifted, effective immediately.
#nmpol
Breaking: U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., announces he will not seek re-election to a third term next year. Udall is longest-serving member of
#NM
congressional delegation and announcement will shake up state's political landscape.
#nmpol
Some political trivia: U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., believed to be first member of Congress to vote both to impeach and convict a president. As a U.S. Rep., Luján voted in 2019 to impeach ex-President Trump. He cast vote to convict Trump on Saturday in separate trial.
#nmpol
As of 8 pm,
#NM
has recorded $1.88 million in cannabis sales on first day of legalization. That’s from 27,891 in total transactions — for average of $67.29 spent per transaction. State also reports additional $760,000 in medical cannabis sales today.
#nmpol
It's this kiddo's 7th birthday today. There were some tears earlier when we explained we couldn't have a party, but the Legos and cookies seem to have helped. We're all doing the best we can to navigate through these unprecedented times.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tells
@washingtonpost
that
#NM
will keep face mask and social distancing mandates in place for foreseeable future. She also reiterates claim that state has capacity to administer 50,000 vaccine doses daily if it receives increased supply.
#nmpol
President Joe Biden will attend an Albuquerque rally with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham as part of his visit to
#NM
on Thursday. Rally will be aimed at energizing supporters in final run-up to Election Day: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
A Biden administration Cabinet official will be in
#NM
for the second straight day today (and enjoying our beautiful spring weather), as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg makes stops in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Deming: via
@rboetel
#nmpol
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has been elected as chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Association for 2021. Vote took place today during online
@DemGovs
meeting. She becomes third consecutive
#NM
governor to hold leadership position in a national governors group.
#nmpol
#NM
has eclipsed 100,000 votes cast for Nov. 8 election, as 137,227 ballots have now been cast via early and absentee voting. Breakdown:
Democrats — 76,419 (55.7%)
Republicans — 44,720 (32.6%)
Libertarians — 711 (0.5%)
Independents and minor party members make up rest.
#nmpol
Updated
#NM
early and absentee vote totals after first day of expanded early voting:
Total votes cast: 84,433
Democrats: 47,173 (55.9%)
Republicans: 26,853 (31.8%)
Libertarians: 406 (0.5%)
Independents and voters affiliated with other parties make up the remainder.
#nmpol
Voting update for
#NM
CD1 special election. As of this morning, total of 18,508 votes had been cast. Here's breakdown by party affiliation:
Democrats -- 11,892
Republicans -- 4,471
Independent/other -- 2,068
Libertarian -- 77
Election Day is set for June 1.
#nmpol
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham launched her second term as
#NM
governor by vowing to eradicate generational poverty and tackle state's homelessness problem. She took the oath of office surrounded by family and friends in Santa Fe: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will get married to longtime fiancé Manuel Cordova next month in Washington D.C. The service will be officiated by VP Kamala Harris. Lujan Grisham and Cordova had been set to tie the knot sooner but delayed wedding due to COVID-19 pandemic.
#nmpol
It's been one month since
#NM
reported its first confirmed
#COVID19
case. Our worlds have been turned upside down, but immensely proud of the work my
@ABQJournal
colleagues have done on the issue. Lots of other quality journalism around the state, too.
#nmpol
Final
#NM
early vote numbers are in: A record-shattering 430,796 voters statewide cast ballots this year before Election Day. For context, the figure was 297,768 in the 2010 general election and lower than that in 2014.
#nmpol
As some states enact abortion restrictions and ban gender-affirming care for minors,
#NM
is moving in the opposite direction. A bill signed today by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham shields providers from out-of-state investigations: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Journal Poll: Kamala Harris holds a comfortable lead over Donald Trump in
#NM
, with less than two months to go until Election Day. Strong support among women, Hispanic voters key to vice president’s 10 percentage point advantage: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking:
#NM
public schools statewide will be closed for three weeks starting on Monday, per state Public Education Department order, in effort to contain spread of
#COVID19
. Students will be allowed to return to school on Monday, April 6.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: Santa Fe Adult Detention Facility records show Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuqerque, was booked into jail on charges of aggravated DWI, speeding and more this morning. Louis is chair of House government committee, which has canceled its scheduled meeting.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking:
#NM
will fully reopen on July 1 -- with the help of some rounding up to reach a 60% vaccine goal set by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. All pandemic-related business restrictions and a color-coded risk system for counties will be eliminated on that date.
#nmpol
Follow
@kyleoftheland
for on the ground Roundhouse updates. I'm told protest is peaceful, but several lawmakers voicing concern due to evens unfolding in Washington D.C.
#nmleg
#nmpol
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has landed on Air Force Two at Kirtland Air Force Base. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan among those greeting the vice president upon her arrival in Albuquerque.
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announces
#NM
is adopting new CDC guidance for face masks. Under new state public health order that takes effect today, fully vaccinated individuals no longer required to wear mask in most indoor and outdoor public settings.
#nmpol
Alert: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says in briefing there are now 20 active
#wildfires
burning in 16 counties across New Mexico. She said she spoke to White House earlier today about federal assistance and said 1,000 firefighters now battling various blazes.
#nmwx
#NMFire
Break out the popcorn and the loungewear. The
#NM
Senate plans to vote on high-profile cannabis legalization, paid sick leave and medical malpractice bills in evening floor session. Just 42 hours until adjournment!
#nmleg
#nmpol
While Otero County has revived most attention, Torrance County commissioners were just met with shouts of “cowards and traitors!” and “rubber-stamp puppets!” after voting unanimously to certify primary election results during emergency meeting.
#nmpol
About to embark on my 13th regular session covering the
#nmleg
. It’s truly an opening day unlike any I’ve experienced before with no members of the public allowed in the Roundhouse. We’ll do our best to keep New Mexicans up to speed!
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver says 247,725 absentee ballot requests have already been received. That's about 20% of all registered
#NM
voters.
Of total absentee ballot requests, 158,860 are from registered Democrats and 48,430 are from Republicans.
#nmpol
This photo by
@EddieMoore8
is jaw-dropping. And the situation bears eery similarities to a June 2020 shooting near a different Oñate monument in Albuquerque. How
#NM
remembers its complex history still a flashpoint of tension and anger.
After Colorado's governor questioned the effectiveness of
#NM
's face mask mandate at slowing a COVID-19 case surge, state officials pushed back by calling the remarks "disappointing" and insisting mandate has been effective tool: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued executive order urging local governments around
#NM
to enact fireworks bans in light of recent heat wave and prevalent drought conditions. State law does not allow governor to issue statewide fireworks ban.
#nmpol
One week after stalling on 4-4 vote, a bill exempting
#NM
Social Security benefits from taxation is moving forward after House Labor committee takes it back up and votes 5-4 in favor. Democratic Reps. Bash & Garcia join with GOP committee members in voting "yes."
#nmleg
#nmpol
Just two days before being arrested for his role in a string of shootings targeting Democratic politicians' homes, Solomon Pena was elected to a Bernalillo County GOP leadership post. Now, efforts are underway to remove him: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: The
#NM
State Investment Council has voted to create new "Recovery Fund" that will make up to $100M available from one of state's permanent funds for loans to help keep businesses afloat. Story with
@krobinsonavila
: via
@ABQJournal
#nmleg
#nmpol
With Election Day tomorrow, total of 439,248
#NM
voters already cast ballots via early or absentee voting. Early voting down slightly from 2018, but absentee voting is way up. Breakdown:
Democrats: 226,266 (51.5%)
Republicans: 152,589 (34.7%)
Libertarians: 2,927 (0.7%)
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will announce today temporary reimposition of
#NM
face mask mandate in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. New vaccination requirement for workers in hospitals and congregate care settings also on tap.
#nmpol
#nmleg
Breaking:
#NM
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announces state has filed lawsuit in U.S. District Court against top federal immigration officials in effort to halt Trump administration policy of releasing asylum-seeking migrants without assistance in border communities.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has landed a prime speaking slot at next week's Democratic National Convention, on the same evening as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden's VP pick: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Breaking: Deb Haaland has been confirmed as U.S. interior secretary on 51-40 vote. She becomes first Native American cabinet secretary and third
#NM
resident to hold post. Haaland expected to step down from congressional seat by tomorrow. Background here:
One of the fun parts of attending today's
#NM
Senate floor session in person was watching several senators crash into the Plexiglas dividers between desks. No one was harmed in today's incidents, though there may be some bruised pride.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: After more than three hours of late-night debate, Senate Judiciary Committee votes 5-4 to approve
#NM
cannabis legalization bill. Many amendments tacked onto bill, but it stays alive and advances to full Senate with clock ticking on 60-day session.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: First-term U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., announces she will vote in favor of impeachment, calling it "necessary response" to President Trump's actions: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Total of 394,845
#NM
voters have cast ballots via early and absentee voting entering last day of early voting; state on track to possibly match or exceed 2018 early vote levels. Breakdown:
Democrats: 204,545 (51.8%)
Republicans: 137,250 (34.8%)
Libertarians: 2,501 (0.6%)
#nmpol
A bill providing funding for free school meals for all
#NM
K-12 students is advancing, after being amended then approved on a 8-0 vote in the Senate Education Committee. Background here: via
@ABQJournal
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: After more than three hours of emotional and sometimes testy debate,
#NM
Senate votes 25-17 to approve bill repealing long-dormant state abortion ban. Bill now advances to House, where it’s expected to move quickly. Full story forthcoming.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Stunning numbers. Native Americans now make up 49.8% of the total amount of confirmed
#NM
COVID-19 cases, with outbreaks on several tribal lands. Native Americans make up only about 11% of the state's total population:
#nmpol
Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's spokesman Tripp Stelnicki tells me governor could call
#NM
special session "sooner rather than later" if cannabis legalization bill isn't passed before 60-day session ends. Gov has been meeting with lawmakers on issue today.
#nmleg
#nmpol
Breaking: Former
#NM
Gov. Bill Richardson has died at age 75. The governor was a political powerhouse who reshaped modern state politics and made waves in recent years by helping secure the release of Americans held abroad:
#nmpol
Breaking: With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surging, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announces two-week statewide "reset" order. Starting Monday, all businesses deemed nonessential will be ordered to close. That includes restaurants, gyms, nail salons and more.
#nmleg
#nmpol
President Joe Biden has endorsed Democrat Melanie Stansbury in the race for an open
#NM
congressional seat, my colleague
@rboetel
reports. The high-profile endorsement comes with one week remaining until Election Day: via
@ABQJournal
#nmpol
Update:
#NM
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has asked AG's office to investigate possible unlawful actions by Otero County Commission, as dispute over certifying election results intensifies. Election code violations by county officials is a fourth-degree felony.
#nmpol
"You need to unmute yourself" is undoubtedly the catchphrase of the
#NM
legislative session so far. Would be a good one to have on your Roundhouse bingo card, but potentially hazardous as a drinking game.
#nmleg
#drink
Mark Ronchetti resigned last night as
@krqe
meteorologist after his campaign website briefly went live. No formal announcement he’s running for governor yet. Background here:
#nmpol
A bill introduced today in the
#NM
House would bar state trust land from being used to facilitate the construction of a new border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Here's story on a similar bill in 2017 that sought to do likewise: via
@ABQJournal
#nmleg