Republican Roundup

1) LEFT-WING PROGRESSIVE SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO BAN FRACKING

Senate Bill 459 introduced by Democrat Senators Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez and Benny Shendo would ban fracking in New Mexico for a minimum of four years.

Yet revenues from oil and gas are providing $3 billion of the $7 billion proposed budget for this fiscal year -- and is solely responsible for the $1.2 billion surplus.

Will Governor Lujan Grisham stop this nonsense? After all, last year she said these progressives have ‘lost their minds' in their hostility to the oil and gas industry.

The Republican Party of New Mexico strongly opposes this bill which would devastate New Mexico's economy and destroy any hope of fixing education in our state.

2) DEMOCRATS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS BY TAKING AWAY TEXTBOOK FUNDING

In a 43-23 vote cast late Friday evening, House Democrats voted unanimously to pass House Bill 45 which excludes private school students from receiving textbooks even though their families pay taxes.

Rep. Rebecca Dow (R-TorC) introduced an amendment to fully fund textbooks for ALL kids in New Mexico, but Democrats considered it "unfriendly".

"This bill discriminates against religious schools in New Mexico, plain and simple," said Rep. Rod Montoya (R-Farmington). "Every student in New Mexico deserves a textbook to help them learn regardless of their religion.

"Furthermore, the Democrat's bill violates a NM Supreme Court ruling that orders the state to treat private schools fairly.

3). HOUSE DEMOCRATS PASS LAW SUBJECTING NEW MEXICO'S VOTERS TO THE NATIONAL VOTE

Hoping you wouldn't notice, House Democrats waited until nearly 10 pm on Friday to pass House Bill 55 (HB 55) which would require New Mexico's presidential electoral votes to be awarded to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of the will of the voters in the state.

Under HB 55, even if New Mexico's voters choose a different candidate, the state's electoral votes would be required to go to the winner of the national popular vote.

"Under this bill, the East and West coast will determine the President and it diminishes the impact of votes and our state on a national stage," said Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Albuquerque). "We shouldn't let out-of-state interests dictate what out voters want."