Latest news with #RPNM
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plan to sell public lands withdrawn, New Mexico leaders react
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – After weeks of pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and national protests, plans for the U.S. to sell public land have been axed, for now. Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee withdrew his proposal Saturday night. Which, if passed, would have sold hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in 11 western states, including New Mexico. 'Lands like these are supposed to belong to every single American,' said Senator Martin Heinrich, (D), New Mexico. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich is celebrating what he's calling a big win for public lands. 'Obviously, they took it out of the bill without even having an amendment because it was clear we were gonna win this one,' said Heinrich in a video on social media. Provision that would sell off public lands removed from Senate megabill Utah Senator Mike Lee announced Saturday night, he would be dropping plans to sell public land from President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' In a post on X, Lee blames strict constraints of the budget process and a lack of clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families. The Republican Party of New Mexico thinks this was the right choice: 'I know that the intent of the land sale was to be able to develop urban areas that are pretty much landlocked for economic development and housing opportunities,' said Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM. But RPNM agrees, they don't think there were enough restrictions placed in the bill to protect the public lands. 'I think it'd be a great opportunity for private investors to go in to be able to buy for housing opportunities and all of that because we know New Mexico is short on housing,' said Barela. Former Santa Fe public schools superintendent files lawsuit against district New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich said in a press conference earlier this week that this isn't about housing, it's about making money. 'We will not let them sell our American birthright to build luxury condos or second homes or to pay for tax cuts,' said Heinrich. Heinrich also said in a statement, 'To those already plotting to go after our public lands another way: don't. Unless you like losing.' 'Public lands along the Pecos are among my favorite in New Mexico and the West. They're a reminder of how lucky we are to have places to fish and explore and pass down experiences to future generations,' said Heinrich. A land conservation non-profit, called the Wilderness Society, is thanking the lawmakers who fought to kill the plan, saying quote, 'Future generations are counting on members of congress to remain vigilant against any more attempts to sell off our public lands—including the threats that we know are coming from the administration.' RPNM told News 13, they are looking forward to the tax relief Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' will bring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in arson attacks at Tesla showroom, New Mexico GOP headquarters facing 40 years in prison
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Federal charges have been filed against New Mexico man Jamison Wagner, 40, in connection to the arson attacks at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) headquarters. On February 9, two Tesla vehicles were damaged in an arson attack at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom. The building was also damaged that day with graffiti reading 'Telsa Nazi Inc.,' as well as swastika symbols spray-painted in red and black paint on the showroom's exterior walls. Sheryl Crow's Tesla finds new owner in Indiana Nearly two months later on March 30, Albuquerque's RPNM office was damaged in an arson attack which damaged the entrance. At both scenes, investigators located matching glass containers of improvised flammable mixtures with distinctive green lids. Wagner was linked to the fires through surveillance footage, along with video of a white Hyundai Accent and matching scene evidence, federal investigators said. Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided Wagner's house in Albuquerque on April 12. There, investigators reported finding assembled fire-starting devices, ingredients matching the flammable mixtures found at the scene, a jar with a similar green lid, black and red spray paint, and a stencil bearing the phrase 'ICE=KKK,' which matched the graffiti sprayed at the RPNM headquarters. Wagner now faces two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire, and will stay in custody while he awaits his detention hearing on April 16. If convicted, Wagner faces between five and twenty years behind bars for each count. 'All of these cases are a serious threat to public safety, therefore there will be no negotiating. We are seeking 20 years in prison,' said Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who had previously labeled vandalism of Tesla dealerships to be 'domestic terrorism.' 'Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,' Bondi said. 'We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences. 'Hurling firebombs is not political protest,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added. 'It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
15-04-2025
- The Hill
Suspect in arson attacks at Tesla showroom, New Mexico GOP headquarters facing 40 years in prison
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Federal charges have been filed against New Mexico man Jamison Wagner, 40, in connection to the arson attacks at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) headquarters. On February 9, two Tesla vehicles were damaged in an arson attack at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom. The building was also damaged that day with graffiti reading 'Telsa Nazi Inc.,' as well as swastika symbols spray-painted in red and black paint on the showroom's exterior walls. Sheryl Crow's Tesla finds new owner in Indiana Nearly two months later on March 30, Albuquerque's RPNM office was damaged in an arson attack which damaged the entrance. At both scenes, investigators located matching glass containers of improvised flammable mixtures with distinctive green lids. Wagner was linked to the fires through surveillance footage, along with video of a white Hyundai Accent and matching scene evidence, federal investigators said. Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided Wagner's house in Albuquerque on April 12. There, investigators reported finding assembled fire-starting devices, ingredients matching the flammable mixtures found at the scene, a jar with a similar green lid, black and red spray paint, and a stencil bearing the phrase 'ICE=KKK,' which matched the graffiti sprayed at the RPNM headquarters. Wagner now faces two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire, and will stay in custody while he awaits his detention hearing on April 16. If convicted, Wagner faces between five and twenty years behind bars for each count. 'All of these cases are a serious threat to public safety, therefore there will be no negotiating. We are seeking 20 years in prison,' said Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who had previously labeled vandalism of Tesla dealerships to be 'domestic terrorism.' 'Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,' Bondi said. 'We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences. 'Hurling firebombs is not political protest,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added. 'It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent.'
