On Saturday, I was honored to give the keynote address to the State YD Convention, here in Albuquerque.  Nothing is more exciting than seeing Young Democrats at work, showing their excitement and passion for the Democratic Party.  These young men and women are our future leaders, not only for New Mexico but for the nation.

The Democratic Party supports affordable options to help with student loans, like the law President Obama signed in 2010 that allows students to lower their rates to 10% of their income, which caps student loan repayments.  The Affordable Care Act eliminated pre-existing conditions for minors and allows the option to stay on a parent or guardian’s health plan until the age of 26.  More choices, more options, more freedom while making plans for the future.

DPNM endorses all efforts to defeat voter suppression--the Republican war on voting.  Photo ID bills passed by Republican legislatures and signed by Republican Governors have one goal—prevent youth, seniors and minorities from exercising their constitutional right to vote.  Our party supports full inclusion for EVERYONE, excluding NO ONE.

We need, want and support YD energy, passion and involvement in all aspects of the state Democratic Party. DPNM is ready for Young Democrats to help us BUILD THE FUTURE.

 
NEW LOOK, NEW FEEL

Hope you like our new logo!  DPNM Facebook and Twitter sites have incorporated this logo already and it will be on the website soon. Look for more changes in the coming months.  We’re just getting started!

DPNM Chairman Sam Bregman statement:

"All New Mexico Democrats mourn the sudden loss of our fellow Democrat, Jimmie Fox.  She was an inspiration to all that knew her and to all New Mexico Democrats.

"As a lifelong Democrat and community activist, she always helped anyone less fortunate or that needed some support.  That’s what Democrats do. Whenever we called upon her, she made herself available and answered the call.

"All of us are better people for having known her and I send sincere condolences to her friends and family from a grateful Democratic Party of New Mexico." (DPNM)

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

Saturday, May 18 at 2 PM

Church on the Hill

25203 US Hwy 84

Fort Sumner, NM 88119

575-355-2201

DPNM Chair Sam Bregman called for Secretary-Designate Skandera to tender her resignation immediately, as unqualified, un-confirmable and for her unprecedented attempt to ignore the New Mexico State Senate and confirm herself as Secretary of the New Mexico Public Education Department.

“Governor Martinez has nominated a polarizing, partisan consultant as Public Education Secretary.  Ms. Skandera is unqualified, cannot get confirmed after three legislative sessions and has set herself above the law, ignoring the authority of the New Mexico State Legislature. She has bestowed the title ‘Secretary of Education’ upon herself because she dislikes the process.  This display of arrogance is a flagrant abuse of power and indicates the disdain Ms. Skandera and Governor Martinez have for the legislature and the laws of New Mexico.  Ms. Skandera should resign now,” stated Chairman Bregman.

Currently, the two nominees for state cabinet departments, David Martin, Energy and Minerals and Ryan Flynn, Department of the Environment, are following state law and using secretary-designate for their job titles.

For Democrats, education is one of our core values that will help build a better future for all New Mexicans.

New Mexico Democrats:

• Support full funding for schools; rejected in Governor Martinez’s budget.
• Support improving evaluation systems for teachers and students.
• Support Early Childhood Education-K-3+ programs, with an emphasis on targeting schools that need more resources to improve.
• Took Merit Pay out of state budget and away from PED Secretary-Designate from rewarding her friends and put the money back into public schools.

In addition, the Democratic Party of New Mexico supports the student loan reform overhaul, signed into law by President Obama in 2010. This law ended government subsidies to big banks and made college more affordable to thousands of New Mexicans.

All New Mexicans want a good education for their kids and grandkids. Democrats have stepped up and have presented common sense solutions that parents, teachers, educators, as well as our kids can understand and support.

Governor Martinez is concerned with glossy photo-ops and pushing failed, partisan agendas while ignoring the proven ideas that parents, teachers and educators endorse and support. 

These individuals serve on the front lines every day, performing their jobs in a professional and dignified manner, within the communities where they live and work.

Thank you to all parents, teachers and educators for all the hard work and dedication you give to our students.  It’s priceless.

Governor Martinez and Mayor Berry begin and end their days pushing ideas and policies that fail to create jobs for out-of-work New Mexicans.  Big photo-ops are staged in Albuquerque and around the state that display smiling children, balloons and big, empty promises. In Albuquerque, a few hundred jobs are offered by Target and the Downs Race Track, while thousands and thousands of applicants stand in line for hours waiting to apply. On Election Day, Governor Martinez hands out pizza to long lines, but offers a shrug, silence and a wave saying ‘good bye and good luck’ to the forgotten masses of New Mexicans that continue to leave because of this Governor’s failed policies and uncaring attitude.

Item: Mayor Berry refuses to enforce the new minimum wage law passed by city voters’ saying it’s up to the city attorney—the one he appoints and that reports directly to him.  Next, he forces companies doing business with Albuquerque to fund his re-election campaign in violation of campaign finance laws, telling his friends to sue his City Clerk to make sure the law is overturned. Then, he outsources the city contract that promotes and markets Albuquerque, to New York, pushing local, small businesses that are qualified to receive this contract, under a speeding bus. These selfish, what’s-in-for-me Republicans are only concerned about the next election and making sure their friends receive government contracts. 

Democrats are going to hold Governor Martinez and Mayor Barry accountable for their callous, indifference to the thousands and thousands of New Mexicans that have no job and no hope for the future. 

The DPNM is building the future right now---new ideas, new energy, and new staff, ensuring that Democratic candidates stand up and promote pro-job policies while supporting strong ethics and transparency for all elected officials.

Bold change is coming—I’m just getting started.

Mayor Berry has decided that there is no company located in Albuquerque that is qualified to market and sell the Duke City nationally.  According to Albuquerque Business First, the city of Albuquerque has hired a New York company to launch the first phase of a national campaign to market the Duke City.

“This is disrespectful to the struggling men and women who work hard every day building their small businesses.  The Democratic Party believes that the people in Albuquerque are the best equipped to market Albuquerque,” stated DPNM Chairman Sam Bregman.  “This type of mentality is why Mayor Berry needs to be voted out of office.”

DPNM Chairman Sam Bregman has filed a formal complaint with the Albuquerque Board of Ethics, saying Mayor Richard Berry is fostering a “culture of pay to play” while seeking campaign funds from vendors holding city contracts.  “Republicans were quick to go after Democrats a few years ago, ready to pronounce themselves judge and jury when allegations of impropriety surfaced.  Now, when there is clear evidence of a violation of the city charter in requesting and accepting contributions that are against the law, there is dead silence and an attitude that says ‘we don’t care and no one will remember anyway’,’’ stated Chairman Bregman.

Governor Martinez recently vetoed House Bill 33, which would have required prospective contractors to disclose all campaign contributions and increased transparency by putting this information on the Sunshine Portal for all New Mexicans to access.

“New Mexicans want their elected officials to follow the law and practice full transparency with anyone seeking special access, especially campaign contributors.  Governor Martinez and Mayor Berry talk a good game about transparency, then they do the complete opposite. More empty promises of promoting sunshine in government,” commented Chairman Bregman.

Jill Cooper Udall Jim Noel & Amanda Cooper, Diane Albert, Clara Apodaca, Kyle & Yasine Armstrong, Shana Baker, Timothy Backes & Herb Altheimer, Stan Betzer, Rebecca Branch, Kevin Calnan, Jim Collie, Robert Lara, Bob McNeil, Donnie Leonard & Donna Wylie, Kim Sanchez Rael, Peter Schoenburg & Jane McGrath, and Art Schreiber (Host committee still in formation). 

Invite you to a 65th Birthday Celebration honoring U.S. Senator Tom Udall 

Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 5:00pm 

The Home of Jim Noel and Amanda Cooper 6690 Corrales Rd, Corrales 
Please help us to celebrate Senator Tom Udall’s 65th Birthday with a $65 contribution to his re-election campaign!

Suggested Contributions: Hosts – Raise or Write - $650 Guest - $65 
Please RSVP to Brenna Gormley at 505.206.4683 or BGormley@TomUdall.com This event is complimentary to Turquoise & Gold Level Contributors.

Contributions are not tax-deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Please make personal or PAC checks payable to “Udall for Us All” and mail to PO Box 25766, Albuquerque, NM 87125 or contribute online at TomUdall.com

ALERT: Last night at the Bernalillo County Commission Meeting, County Commissioners voted 3-2 to raise Minimum Wage for working people. 

It was a great win for all Bernalillo County residents, that was until the Republicans realized they were defeated and resorted to childish humor and sexism to trivialize the hard-working organizers who were there advocating for progress.

This is why just 22% of Americans are even willing to self-identify as Republicans. The Republican Party is out of touch, living in a different era, and every time they open their mouths they lose another chunk of mainstream America.

Check out what the Bernalillo County Republicans were tweetting and facebooking about when they realized they lost ( Attachment ) 

Please forward if you think this is disgraceful and they should apologize for their remarks.

For Immediate Release