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Crib Sheet: April 25th, 2017

Crib Sheet: April 25th, 2017

Market forces are driving a rapid evolution of energy resources, and the current data clearly supports the replacement of the coal in our portfolio with an energy mix that includes more renewables and natural gas as the best, most economical path to a strong energy future for New Mexico – PNM CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn in comments filed as part of a new resource plan that eliminates coal generated power. Later this week I will publish a piece on what this means for ratepayers.

The Crib Sheet is a collection of stories, events, and ideas that are shaping the conversation in New Mexico and D.C. politics.

[New Mexico]
  • Yesterday the New Mexico Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by the Democrat-controlled Legislative Council. The dispute “hinges on the governor’s use of line-item vetoes in a state budget bill”; oral arguments are scheduled for May 15th.
  • A budget forecast by the Legislative Finance Committee shows that “revenues continue to appear on track or exceed expectations” for the current fiscal year. Some argue those numbers are further proof that the Governor’s request for furloughs aren’t necessary, while her supporters say the state’s low cash reserves justify her actions. So far she isn’t backing down.
  • The latest salvo in the public relations battle between the New Mexico Public Education Department and Albuquerque Public Schools continues with PED sending an email blast last week comparing the number of employees that make over $100k between 2017 and 2011 (35 versus 20) in the Albuquerque school district.
  • A Democratic state senator who has complained about a lack of diversity on boards that manage state colleges is facing criticism for failing to hold a confirmation hearing for Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce CEO Alex Romero, who was nominated to the University of New Mexico’s Board of Regents in February by Governor Martinez.
  • Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced plans to create a taskforce “focused on increasing voter registration and turnout in tribal communities.”
 [D.C.]
  • The White House has a packed week of activity as the arbitrary 100 day mark is less than a week away.
  • On Monday twenty one Democrat state attorneys general (including New Mexico AG Hector Balderas) condemned Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for her plans to halt efforts to overhaul how student loans are serviced.
  • President Donald Trump probably avoided a government shutdown at the end of the week by announcing that he is open to signing a bill to fund the federal government without initial funding for his promised border wall.
 [Tech & Strategy]
  • French far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon used some unusual tech to get his wealth redistribution message out, including holograms and video games.
  • While centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won the most votes in the French election, the real winners seemed to be the pollsters who predicted the final outcome remarkably well.
  • A Tesla investor and venture capitalist continues his “Elon Dump Trump” campaign by purchasing full-page ads in newspapers and is apparently willing to spend up to $2 million to convince Elon Musk to “Dump Trump”.
[Culture]