New Mexico is preparing to quickly distribute millions of dollars to food banks, as federal monthly food assistance benefits are expected to cease in November if the government shutdown continues. Gov. Michelle Lujan Griusham said in a press release on Saturday that her administration is considering every legal and administrative option to address the situation […]
Author Archives: Alex Ross
Alex Ross is a senior politics and legislative reporter for the New Mexico Political Report. He began his career in daily journalism in Montana and previously worked as a breaking news and politics reporter for the Roswell Daily Record and as the Roswell Bureau Chief for KOB.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
USDA: Emergency funds will not be used for SNAP during shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says emergency funds won’t be used to provide SNAP payments to states if the shutdown continues into November, as Senate Democrats insisted was possible. In a memo released Friday, the USDA blamed Democrats for the nearly 24-day government shutdown and said that money from the contingency funds cannot be […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Former GOP legislative candidate jumps into Congressional race to oust Vasquez
By Alex Ross — A third Republican has joined the field of contenders vying to take on Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) next year in a key congressional swing district. Records from the Federal Election Commission show that on Oct. 16, Jose Orozco of Albuquerque filed a statement of candidacy to run for the Republican nomination […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich, Luján push back against claims that USDA can’t access funds for SNAP due next month
By Alex Ross — New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday disputed claims made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they lack the funds to cover the cost of next month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Heinrich and Lujan were among 45 Democratic Senators who signed […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
The secret is out: Toulouse Oliver launches bid for lieutenant governor
It’s been one of the worst-kept secrets in Santa Fe, and on Thursday, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver confirmed the speculation about her ambition by declaring herself a candidate for lieutenant governor. Toulouse Oliver, who spent nearly a decade as the state’s chief elections official, kicked off her entry into the race […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
State warns food banks to prep for 400,000 in need; Feds warn SNAP will “not be issued to New Mexico families” next week
More than 400,000 New Mexicans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see a halt to their food assistance next month due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a top state health official. Healthcare Authority Secretary Kari Armijo told lawmakers on the Legislative Finance Committee at their Oct. 15 meeting that […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
“An enormous hit:” Billions in fed. mineral payments owed to New Mexico could stop by year end
State budget analysts warn that federal mineral leasing payments to New Mexico could be at risk if Congress does take action in the coming months. The payments are from royalties companies pay to the federal government when they extract oil, coal and other minerals from federal land in New Mexico. The state then gets a […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Garcia Richard led Democratic contenders for Lt. Gov’s race in fundraising before dropping out
She has put her campaign for lieutenant governor on hold, but campaign finance reports issued last week show that Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard’s cash haul since April far exceeded those of her two rivals for the party’s nomination. The reports, which were due on Oct. 14, showed that $165,605 rolled into the campaign of Garcia […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich agrees with Cardi B’s cost-of-living comments
New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich has come to the defense of rapper Cardi B, following comments she made about the economy. Earlier this week, the outspoken rapper and recording artist made observations about the rising cost of living in an Instagram live video that went viral. “I feel so bad because I didn’t realize […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Zamora edges out Leger Fernandez in latest fundraising period; Other Congressional candidates, incumbents report big numbers
By Alex Ross — Three months after filing the paperwork to run for Congress, new campaign finance reports show that State Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis) edged out Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03) in campaign contributions in the recent fundraising quarter. Reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that between July 1 and […]