New Mexico Needs True Education Reform, Not Political Band-aids

February 6, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Scott Forrester - 505-945-5681

Albuquerque, NM - The differences in efforts to reform education are clear: limiting class sizes leads to gains in reading and math while Governor Martinez’s policies would lead to bottlenecks and large, unwieldy 3^rd grade classes.

Senator Tim Keller (District 17) and Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard (District 43) have introduced Senate Joint Resolution 2 and House Joint Resolution 7 respectively, hoping to put a measure on the 2014 ballot to gradually reduce class sizes. This morning, Sen. Keller’s bill cleared its first hurdle by passing through the Senate Rules Committee by a vote of 5-4.

While there are associated costs with reform, New Mexicans deserve to have their tax dollars spent on mitigating the need for retention, not simply retention itself as proposed by the Governor. During the hearing, many of the Senators – both Democrats and Republicans – cited the extreme underfunding of our education system and argued that over sized classrooms are one of the most pressing issues for constituents.

The Governor references Florida’s education reforms but fails to mention one key component: the state’s voters decided over 10 years ago to limit class sizes through constitutional amendment. Studies in Tennessee and Wisconsin prove that smaller class sizes lead to lower retention rates, lower dropout rates, higher test scores, and earlier identification of struggling students.

During the hearing this morning, Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino (District 12) argued that certain education problems have not been solved through the legislative process and that we must take different measures. New Mexico, in fact, has class size caps but they have been waived in recent years.  

Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (District 15) said, “We need to stop putting our fingers in the dam, we need to start building a new dam.”

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January 25, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Matt Ross, (505) 263-4879

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Today, after a national uproar over her attempt to criminalize rape victims who choose not to carry their rapist's baby, Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R - Carlsbad) announced that she was amending her legislation to specifically exempt the mothers of fetuses from being prosecuted. 
 
According to news reports, Rep. Brown is adding the language "In no circumstance shall the mother of the fetus be charged under this subsection" to HB 206.

The problem? She is not removing the onerous language that caused these problems to begin with. Not only does her bill now contain two completely contradictory clauses, it also leaves the door open for Brown and the rest of the fringe wing of the Republican Party who are determined to use criminal statutes to dictate a woman's private health choices.

By leaving the language in - when removing it would have solved this particular problem just as easily - Brown and her co-sponsors may have revealed what their original intent was all along: arresting and charging doctors and nurses who "facilitate" abortions with a felony. 

"Either Cathrynn Brown thinks we can't read or she's trying to pull another fast one," said Scott Forrester, DPNM Executive Director. "After getting busted on the national stage for a bill that would criminalize rape victims, Brown walked it back about as fast as she could. But her "fix" is nothing of the kind. The bill still makes it a crime to "facilitate" an abortion for a woman who wants one, bottom line. That means doctors, nurses, or anyone else who works at a health care clinic where this is one of the services provided would still be guilty of a felony.

"That's a huge burden," Forrester said, "and if a woman is in this circumstance, another huge burden is the last thing she needs.

"At some point, you keep expecting the Republican Party to wake up and stop this ridiculous war on women and their rights. Today is clearly still not that day."

NM Republican Lawmaker Introduces Bill that Forces Rape Victims to Carry Fetus to Term for Use As Evidence

Criminalizes Victims Who Seek Protection from Rape/Incest

January 24, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Scott Forrester – 505-934-5681

Albuquerque, NM - NM Republican State Representative Cathrynn Brown has introduced so-called"Exhibit A" legislation demanding that 'legitimate rape' victims carry a fetus to term for use as evidence in trial, thus criminalizing victims who seek protection from rape/incest.  If enacted, a rape victim who ended her pregnancy would be charged with a third degree felony. 

Yes, you read that correctly.  The Republican Party in New Mexico, led by Gov. Susana Martinez, is continuing the War on Women right here in the Land of Enchantment.

Here is the exact language:

“Tampering with evidence shall include procuring or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another to obtain an

abortion, of a fetus that is the result or criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to destroy evidence of the crime.

Below is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales following the introduction of the "Exhibit A" bill:

"This is a sad day for women, and really a sad day for all New Mexicans. Instead of focusing on the number one priority of bringing jobs to New Mexico, Republican lawmakers continue their war on women by introducing this atrocious piece of legislation. It's like Republicans were wearing blinders when the results came in last November, because Republicans lost numerous seats on this very issue, but they apparently did not get the message.

"This bill is wrong, and should never see the light of day in any legislature in this country, let alone New Mexico. The War on Women in America has to stop. No woman should ever be forced to carry a child for "evidence," plain and simple. I call on the leaders of the Republican Party of New Mexico and Governor Susana Martinez to denounce this bill and I hope we can get back to a focus on what New Mexico families are starving for: Jobs. 

"I'm also urging all New Mexicans to call Cathrynn Brown's official number at (505) 986-4248 or email her official address at cath@cathrynnbrown.com and let her know that this bill is completely out of line."

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 For Immediate Release                              Contact: Scott Forrester

 January 15, 2013                                       505-934-5681

 (SANTA FE) -- Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier M. Gonzales today congratulated Speaker W. Ken Martinez upon his election to the position this afternoon in Santa Fe: 

“Speaker Martinez is a leader and statesmen, who is uniquely qualified to lead the House.  His commitment to bipartisanship honors his Fathers legacy by focusing on issues important to New Mexico’s dignity of good paying jobs, affordable education, affordable health care, and accountability in government. New Mexico well served by his leadership”

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Heather Wilson Claims That Jobs Are Her Thing, But Her Record Says Otherwise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 7, 2012

CONTACT: Matt Ross (505) 263-4879

Albuquerque, NM – Republican Senate candidate Heather Wilson claims that jobs are her thing, but her failed policies of cutting taxes for the wealthy and forcing the middle class to pay the bill contributed to the slowest job growth in 60 years.

"Heather Wilson's record of cutting taxes for millionaires and billionaires, and saddling future generations with billions of dollars in debt stifled job growth and weakened the middle class," said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales

During her ten years in Congress, Wilson consistently supported policies that put the wealthy ahead of middle class New Mexicans.  From 2001-2006, she voted for each and every round of the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.  Her votes were a windfall for millionaires and billionaires, and contributed more than $1.7 trillion to the debt.  During the same time, job growth slowed to the weakest rate since World War II and one-fifth the rate in the 1990s.        

“How can Heather Wilson suggest that her policies will create jobs in the future, when they’re the same policies that have stifled job growth in the past,?” said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales.

Background:

Wilson claims that jobs are her thing.  [http://www.jobsareourthing.com]

Wilson supported each and every round of the Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy.  In 2001, Wilson supported President Bush’s first round of tax cuts for the wealthy. In 2003, Wilson supported another round of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy. In 2004, Wilson supported President Bush’s budget that permanently locked in multitrillion-dollar tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy.  In 2005, Wilson backed a Republican bill that extended capital gains and dividend tax cuts.  And in 2006 Wilson backed another Republican tax cut package that the Washington Post called a “windfall for the rich, and a hole in the federal budget.” [HR 1836, Vote 149, 5/26/01; HR 2, Vote 225, 5/23/03; Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 5/28/03;; H Con Res 393, Vote 92, 3/25/04; Vote 621, 12/8/05; Chicago Tribune, 12/9/05; HR4297, Vote 135, 5/10/06; Washington Post, 5/11/06] 

Tax cuts for the wealthy contributed to diminished job growth. "[F]rom March 2001 to December 2007 the economy added 1.8 million jobs for workers aged 25 to 54, only 22,000 per month. That translates to an average annualized growth rate of only 0.3 percent per month-the slowest of any cycle on record since the end of World War II and one-fifth the growth rate during the 1990s." [Center for American Progress, 2/2009]

The Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy ballooned the deficit. The Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy added $1.7 trillion to the deficits between 2001 and 2008. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/5/09]

Wilson criticized middle class tax relief package that didn’t include tax cuts for the wealthy.  [Heather Wilson for Senate press release, 7/25/12] "Former Rep. Heather Wilson, a Republican challenging Heinrich for the Senate seat, said she would have voted to extend the tax breaks [for the wealthy]." [Albuquerque Journal, 7/26/2012]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 2, 2012
CONTACT: 505-507-9898 or press@martinheinrich.com

Heather Wilson “Proud” Of Votes To Protect Special Tax Breaks for Companies Shipping Jobs Overseas

Albuquerque (Thursday, August 2, 2012) – In a recent news article in The New Mexican, a spokesperson for Heather Wilson said the former Congresswoman was “proud” of votes she took to protect special tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

“Heather Wilson's blatant support for giving special tax breaks to companies that ship American jobs overseas shows just how wrong her priorities are for New Mexico,” said Whitney Potter, spokeswoman for Democratic Senate candidate Martin Heinrich. “We need leaders who are going to fight for the future of the middle class and put New Mexicans back to work, not politicians that put tax breaks for the rich ahead of strengthening Medicare and Social Security.”

Echoing the chorus of the Republican Party, Wilson also signed lobbyist Grover Norquist’s tax pledge promising to never require big corporations to pay their fair share, even by closing loopholes that reward them for shipping American jobs overseas.

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Background:

Wilson “Proud” of Votes to Protect Special Tax Breaks. In a recent news article in The New Mexican, a spokesperson for Heather Wilson said the former Congresswoman was “proud” of votes she took to protect special tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. [Santa Fe New Mexican, 8/1/12]

Wilson Has Voted At Least Four Times To Protect Special Tax Breaks For Companies That Ship American Jobs Overseas. During her time in the House, Heather Wilson voted at least four times to protect special tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. [Vote 344, 5/21/08; Associated Press,5/21/08; Vote 161, 5/12/04; wolf.house.gov, accessed 7/12/12; Vote 291,6/19/03; wolf.house.gov, accessed 7/12/12; Vote 247, 6/21/02; New York Times, 5/13/02]

Politifact: ‘True’ That The Tax Code Allows Companies To Get A Tax Break When They Send Jobs To “China Or India Or Wherever.” In September 2010 Politifact ruled that the following statement from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was ‘True’: “The law, right now, permits companies that close down American factories and offices and move those jobs overseas to take a tax deduction for the costs associated with moving the jobs to China or India or wherever.” Whitehouse made this statement on the Senate floor while arguing for a proposal to close this loophole. Politifact concluded: “There is little debate that the current system allows companies to get a tax break for their expenses when they send jobs outside the U.S. We rate Whitehouse's statement True.” [Politifact, 11/21/10]

Wilson Voted Twice Against Banning Certain Federal Departments From Awarding Contracts To Companies That Incorporate Overseas. In 2006, Wilson voted against an amendment to the FY 07 Treasury, Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill that would have placed a ban on new contracts with corporate expatriates - companies that have incorporated on paper overseas in the tax haven countries of Bermuda, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Antigua, Panama. In 2005, Wilson voted against an amendment to ban the departments and agencies funded under the Transportation, Treasury & Housing Appropriations bill from contracting with corporate expatriate companies. [Vote 275, 6/14/06; Rep. Berry Press Release, 6/14/06; Vote 351, 6/30/05; Rep. DeLauro Press Release, 6/30/05]

Wilson Opposed Barring Corporations Laying Off More U.S. Workers Than They Do Overseas From Receiving Ex-Im Aid. In 2002, Wilson voted against an amendment the Associated Press reported “would have barred companies from receiving bank aid if they lay off more workers in the United States than in foreign countries.” The amendment was defeated, 135-283. [Vote 120, 5/01/02; AP, 5/01/02]

Wilson Signed Americans for Tax Reform Pledge Not to Eliminate Tax Deductions. In 2011, Wilson was listed as a signer of the Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, stating that she opposed any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates. [Americans for Tax Reform Press Release,4/18/11]

ATR Called American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 a Taxpayer Protection Pledge Violation. In May 2010, Americans for Tax Reform issued a Tax Pledge Alert to announce that HR 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, was a Taxpayer Protection Pledge violation. The bill would eliminate $14.451 billion of foreign tax credit loopholes. [Americans for Tax Reform, Press Release,5/20/10; House Committee on Ways and Means, “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, HR 4213, 5/28/10]