Tuesday, March 4, 2014

2014 Platform of the Republican Party of New Mexico

gopnm.org/doclib/newsletter_030414.htm
https://chumly.com/n/23959c2

Obama’s FY 2015 Budget Another Disappointing Display of Wasteful Spending and Partisanship

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, President Obama released his $3.9 trillion fiscal year 2015 budget, which drops reform measures for Social Security and fails to reduce the deficit. RPNM Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement in response:
"Unfortunately, we are once again seeing the President display hyper-partisanship, catering to progressive, liberal policies and making a dangerous political game of the budget process. His budget further increases debt and lacks much-needed reforms to Social Security, riddling the younger generation of Americans with an unstable future. Additionally, with no efforts to reduce the deficit or cut wasteful spending, he is setting up our economy to continue to fail. Instead, he proposes an additional $56 billion for new government programs. It is unrealistic to believe that acquiring more debt and continuing to spend could possibly improve our economic and fiscal crisis. This would not work on an individual level, and it certainly won’t work on the national level.”
"We are already $17 trillion in debt. This number is astounding, and in light of the severity of this situation, the President should be taking legitimate action to cut spending. Sadly, progressive tactics seem to take precedence over protecting the American middle class. This budget is a stark example of this President’s fiscal irresponsibility and his continued economic policies that shrink and destroy the middle class.”

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https://chumly.com/n/2393338

Saturday, March 1, 2014

RPNM Congratulates Candidates, Thanks Delegates

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the Republican Party of New Mexico held the 2014 Pre-Primary Convention, in which all federal and statewide candidates received a large enough percentage of the delegate vote to make the ballot for the 2014 primary.
"We had a great convention today,” said RPNM Chairman John Billingsley."With a large number of delegates from across the state—even though we only had two contested races—it is clear that Republicans statewide are energized and engaged in the election process. We all know that there is a great deal at stake for our state and our nation in this year’s election, and it is encouraging to see such active counties, individuals, and voters.”
"All of us at the Republican Party of New Mexico congratulate each Republican candidate on securing their place on the primary ballot,” continued Billingsley."We have a strong slate of candidates, and we are looking forward to this election cycle. Additionally, we recognize that it takes a great deal of effort and time on the part of those who served as delegates, State Central Committee members, and even those who chose to attend as guests. Thank you to all who attended the convention this weekend. Your efforts are appreciated and noticed, and we know that with the help of individuals like yourself, we will see Republican victories this November—from the top to the bottom of the ticket.”

A list of federal and statewide candidates who made the ballot, listed by office is below:

U.S. Senate
David Clements
Allen Weh

U.S. Congress - District 1
Michael Frese
Richard Priem

U.S. Congress - District 2
Steve Pearce

U.S. Congress - District 3
Jefferson Byrd

Governor
Susana Martinez

Lt. Governor
John Sanchez

Secretary of State
Dianna Duran

Attorney General
Susan Riedel

State Treasurer
Rick Lopez

State Auditor
Robert Aragon

Commissioner of Public Lands
Aubrey Dunn

Court of Appeals Judge
Miles Hanisee

There were 524 delegates present and 236 proxies sent, making a total of 760 votes. Additionally, there were over 100 guests present. All uncontested candidates were approved by a vote of general acclamation.

Percentage breakdowns for both contested races are listed below:

U.S. Senate
Allen Weh - 53.17%
David Clements - 46.83%

U.S. Congress - District 1
Michael Frese - 64.46%
Richard Priem - 36.53%

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https://chumly.com/n/2380acb

Friday, February 28, 2014

RPNM Thanks House Minority Floor Leader Don Bratton for his Incredible Service

ALBUQUERQUE – Representative Don Bratton (R-62) has served in the New Mexico State House since 2001 and is currently the House Minority Floor Leader. This week, Representative Bratton announced that he will not seek re-election. RPNM Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement in response to his retirement:
"Representative Bratton is an incredible leader—with great poise, intelligence, and a sincere commitment to serving the people of New Mexico. His presence in the Legislature—as well as his leadership—will be missed, but we wish him all the best. I’m honored to call Representative Bratton a friend, and as always, I am grateful for the years of service, time, and effort that he has put in—all with the hopes of making our state a better place. He has a lengthy history of public service, and he deserves quality time to be with his family and enjoy retirement.”

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https://chumly.com/n/2378378

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

RPNM Thanks Rep. Bill Gray for His Service in the State House

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Representative Bill Gray (R-54) announced his plans to retire from the State House of Representatives. RPNM Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement regarding his retirement:
"Representative Bill Gray is a one-of-a-kind Legislator. From his deep commitment to serving those in Southeastern New Mexico to his easy going manner and sense of humor, he will be missed in the Legislature. He has been an invaluable member on committees, working on budgets and bringing in the insight of someone whose constituents are members of New Mexico’s oil and gas industry. I have watched Rep. Gray travel the state for years to be with family members, and I know that family is incredibly important to him. I wish him the best in retirement, and hope that the years to come will be treasured years filled with family time.”
https://chumly.com/n/23615c5

Sunday, February 23, 2014

RPNM Newsletter: Session Wrap-up & Pre-Primary Information

gopnm.org/doclib/newsletter_022414.htm
https://chumly.com/n/2358417

RPNM Thanks Rep. Anna Crook for Years of Service to NM

This weekend, State Representative Anna Crook (R-64) announced that she would be retiring. Rep. Crook has served in the New Mexico State House of Representatives since 1995.
"Representative Anna Crook will undoubtedly leave behind a legacy of leadership in the State House, and she will leave big shoes to fill,” said RPNM Chairman John Billingsley."From standing up for tough legislation to teaching new Legislators the ropes, her influence in the Roundhouse will remain. We are incredibly grateful for her years of service. Holding public office does not go without great sacrifice of time and energy, and few are able to do it as gracefully as Rep. Crook. Her presence in the Legislature will be missed, but we wish her all of the best in retirement.”
"Having grown up in Curry County, I have witnessed Representative Crook’s dedication to service, her willingness to engage with constituents, her pleasant manner and sense of humor, and her wonderful leadership firsthand,” said RPNM Communications Director."She always fought for what she believed to be in the best interests of those in Curry County, and her leadership will be greatly missed. We thank her for all that she did for Curry County—and for the entire state of New Mexico.”
https://chumly.com/n/23577bf

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

RPNM Thanks Rep. Tom Taylor for Decades of Service

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, State Representative Tom Taylor (R-San Juan) announced his plans to retire. Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement in response:
"The staff and officers of RPNM join me in offering our sincere gratitude for Representative Taylor’s decades of public service. We know that words cannot adequately express this sentiment, and they, in no way, make up for the time, effort, and hard work that he has put into his years in office. To spend over three decades in public office—as a City Councilor, a Mayor, and a State Representative—is an incredible sacrifice, and we know that his efforts to make New Mexico a better place have made a difference. We appreciate his leadership, and wish him the best in retirement.”
https://chumly.com/n/2338a2a

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

5 Years after the Fact Obama Stimulus Still a Failure

ALBUQUERQUE - On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus package and stated that while it was not the end of the troubles, it did"mark the beginning of the end” (See more here: www.money.cnn.com/2009/02/17/news/economy/obama_st...x.htm). Five years after the fact, the American economy is far from recovered, and RPNM Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement on the issue:
"As we look back on more of the empty promises made by this President and his fellow Democrats, it’s important to note that this stimulus was nothing more than an epic waste of taxpayer money. His advisors predicted that this package would lower unemployment rates to around 5 percent by the end of 2013, and we have clearly seen that this was not the case." (see more here: www.economy.com/mark-zandi/documents/The_Job_Impac...n.pdf).
"In light of these broken promises and failed economic policies, we must look ahead to the future—precisely to the 2014 election cycle. New Mexicans deserve answers as to whether or not Democratic candidates for Federal office believe the stimulus was a good idea, and as to what they would have done differently.”

The Republican Party of New Mexico is calling on Democratic candidates Leslie Endean-Singh and Roxanne Lara to share their views on whether or not the stimulus was a success. Additionally, to offer more accountability to the voters, RPNM calls on Senator Tom Udall, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan-Grisham to answer the same question.

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https://chumly.com/n/2324b5a

Monday, February 17, 2014

ICYMI House Minority Release - New Mexico's Poor Kids Can't Learn? Oh, Yes They Can!

From House Minority Office:

(Santa Fe) - Just days after a national report revealed that New Mexico has the second highest percentage of poor students in the nation to pass an Advanced Placement test, Rep. Liz Thomson (D - Bernalillo) stood up on the House floor and stated that New Mexico's poor kids can't learn. "Anyone with any knowledge of anything knows poverty keeps kids from being able to learn," said Thomson. "We're the poorest state so we're not going to change that." Thomson stated that giving poor kids high speed internet would be like giving her a spaceship because they wouldn't know what to do with it.

The report, which also showed Hispanic high school graduates in "the poorest state" ranking number one in the nation compared to Hispanic students in other states for the second year in a row, directly refutes Thomson's philosophy that poor kids have a lesser ability to learn than other students.

Though the report demonstrates the success of Governor Martinez' education initiatives, Thomson and most of her fellow Democrats that day refused to budge on voting to allow only $20 million of a $2.7 billion education budget to go "below the line" to new classroom initiatives.

"The Governor has been in office less than four years and the Democrat majority hasn't been able to achieve that kind of success in more than 50 years of controlling the state's education budget," said Rep. Alonzo Baldonado (R - Valencia).

Baldonado cited Dr. Ben Carson as an example of someone who grew up as a poor minority student and became a great success story. According to realbencarson.com, "Growing up in a single parent home with dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper, and low self-esteem appeared to preclude the realization of that dream until his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged her sons to strive for excellence. Young Ben persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for over a quarter of a century. He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May, 2008. He is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery."

"I would say Dr. Carson is a somebody who knows something about quite a lot, including poverty," said Baldonado.

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https://chumly.com/n/231e0c3
Once again, as in years past, Senate Democrats continued their party games and political circus in refusing to confirm the Education Secretary Designate. All involved in the New Mexico education system deserve an up or down vote to move forward, and it is disappointing that Senate Democrats failed to do their job again this session.
https://chumly.com/n/231bea0

Friday, January 31, 2014

This morning, Governor Susana Martinez addressed the crowd at a naturalization ceremony in Albuquerque where over 100 people from many countries across the world became American Citizens. We are grateful for Governor Martinez’s great leadership and know that her welcome address to the hardworking men and women obtaining their citizenship was well received. She has continuously fought to make New Mexico a better place to live and work, and has worked to make sure that all can have the opportunity achieve the American Dream here in our state. We congratulate all who are taking the steps to become American citizens. This is a proud moment for all, and we know that it did not come without a great deal of effort. We welcome all of today's new citizens with hopes that we can all work together to make an even brighter future for all generations of New Mexicans.
https://chumly.com/n/22b5ea8

Thursday, January 30, 2014

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus boycotts MSNBC for their toxic and offensive programming. We appreciate Chairman Priebus taking this stance to speak out against their continual bashing of all conservative individuals and ideas. www.gop.com/general/memo-until-msnbcs-phil-griffin...gizes
https://chumly.com/n/22ad489

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Same Old, Same Old Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Fails to Impress

ALBUQUERQUE - After watching today’s State of the Union address, RPNM Chairman John Billingsley issued the following statement:
"Since his inauguration, President Obama has been good at one thing—filling Americans with empty words while heaping on additional unfulfilled promises. Much like he promised the world in years past and never backed up those words, we have to question why we should trust his words tonight.”
"2013 was undoubtedly a rough year for the President. His promise that if you liked your healthcare plan, you could keep it under ObamaCare was awarded the"Biggest Lie of the Year” (see here), and his Presidency has proven to be a far cry from the transparent leadership he promised back in 2009. In the past year, we have seen cover-ups and scandals—ranging from the IRS targeting of conservative groups and the NSA privacy breach to the disasters of ObamaCare. The American public deserves much more in terms of transparency, accountability, and leadership.”
"Furthermore, it is disheartening to hear the President state that he is more than willing to completely bypass the legislative process, thereby expanding the role of the Presidency with little to no accountability. What he seems to forget is that we elected our Senators and Representatives to prevent any individual leader from doing exactly what he is suggesting, and that we have a system of checks and balances to avoid tyrannical rule. We also heard him continue to tout his economic policies, when it is abundantly clear that their failures are mounting. Millions are still unemployed, and despite his superfluous promises, we have seen little changes under his leadership. It is far too apparent that his policies are not working, but instead shrinking the middle class.”
"Tonight, he was clearly reaching to hold onto an American public who is no longer interested in his pretty words. Across the nation, we are united under one thing—we all want action, not just empty words. With his approval ratings crashing, there is no doubt he hoped to spark fires among the people’s hopes tonight; however, he has failed to do so. While his speech was lacking—as it always is—we do thank him for clearly illustrating that Democratic control in Washington, D.C. is not serving the American people well, and that it is time for a major change in leadership.”

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https://chumly.com/n/22a0f05

RNC: "After Five State Of The Union Addresses, All Obama Has Delivered On Health Care Is A Series Of Broken Promises"

www.gop.com/news/research/state-of-obamas-union-ob...acare
https://chumly.com/n/229e71d

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Las Cruces Senators Heinrich and Udall will be holding a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Jewell to discuss their plan to designate a huge and expansive area of New Mexico land as a national monument, putting it under federal control. Their idea of preserving the Organ Mountains will disallow uses of the land, hurting farmers, ranchers, and restricting all who utilize the land for their livelihoods or for recreation.

They want to hear from you, and we urge all of you in southern New Mexico to make your voices heard.

Here are the event details:
Friday, January 24, 2014
3:00 p.m. MST
Doors open at 2:15 p.m.
Ramada Palms Las Cruces – Grand Ballroom
201 E University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88005
https://chumly.com/n/2273229

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

RPNM Legislative Update - Lowering Standards is the Answer According to Democratic Lawmaker

State Representative Mimi Stewart (a Democrat from Albuquerque) has introduced legislation that perfectly illustrates what has gone wrong in our state under decades of a Democrat-controlled Legislature. Instead of offering positive reforms that better educate our children to help them meet the needs of their future, Representative Stewart's HB 66 provides a different approach: lower your standards to improve the graduation numbers. Education is about much more than numbers; it is about the children who will be put at a disadvantage when competing in the real world under the hopelessly flawed education system created by HB 66.

When faced with our state's low graduation "numbers" and our broken education system, Representative Stewart—and anyone who supports her bill—have decided that the answer is not to fix the dysfunctional education system. Instead, they believe we should lower the expectations from our students. Stewart's bill, HB 66, creates two diplomas—one with the current standards, which is referred to as the "New Mexico Diploma of Excellence," and one with lower standards, referred to as the "New Mexico General Diploma." HB 66 is not a solution, and it would undoubtedly create a much steeper climb to success for every New Mexico student when they are competing with their peers from other states. (See more here).

Responsible lawmakers will be fighting to make sure our children can read at grade level by providing them with the best possible teachers in the classroom. We all know that when our students graduate from New Mexico schools, they are in direct competition with students from across the world to go into the workforce or to get into college. We owe it to our children to make a better education system—not to dumb it down.

Let Representative Stewart know that New Mexico children possess the same mental intellect as students all over the world, and we don't need to dumb down their education. This is insulting to our children, to the parents, to the hardworking teachers of the state, and to all who have been educated in the state of New Mexico.We do, however, need to build a strong educational foundation for each New Mexico child with the help of quality teachers who are given the "tools and time" to teach properly. Her bill is not the answer, and it is truly appalling. In fact, HB 66 is part of the problem. It is a clear reminder of the "lower your standards" attitude that has plagued the Democrat-controlled State Legislature for far too long and kept us at the bottom of all the good lists. Our children deserve better!

We urge you to directly contact Representative Stewart at (505)986-4842 or mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov and to follow up by contacting your local Legislators.
https://chumly.com/n/221b676

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Please download and sign the petition for Dianna Duran for Secretary of State. Over the next few days, we'll provide you with links to petitions of Republican candidates. Remember that our candidates need your signatures to make the ballot, and deadlines are coming up soon. Petitions should be returned to the campaign by next Friday. Once you have gathered signatures, please return to:
Dianna Duran for Secretary of State
c/o Grace Gonzalez, Treasurer
2574 Desert Hills Dr
Alamogordo, NM 88310 chumly.com/attachment/15564071
https://chumly.com/n/2211c9e