DAILY LOBO new mexico
Do you feel safe? see page 2
February 18, 2011
JEST WITH THE BEST
Democrats defeat poll ID bill in committee
Women’s center decries state cuts
by Shaun Griswold
by Chelsea Erven
shaun24@unm.edu
Democrats halted a bill that would have required New Mexican voters to show photo identification at the polls. Seven Democrat members on the House Voters and Elections Committee defeated six Republican votes to stall legislation. “I’m very disappointed,” said Rep. Dianne Hamilton (R-Silver City), the bill’s sponsor. Bill opponents said language should be included that would require identification for mail-in ballots. Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) introduced another bill that would require photo identification at the polls and through absentee ballots. Thursday was the last day to introduce legislation. “Polls show a large percentage of voters, nearly 70 percent in some polls I’ve seen support this measure,” Brown said. “I’m hoping we can break through party politics and support a measure that a large number of voters want.” Brown could not cite specific polling firms to back her claim. Brown’s bill addresses the absentee ballot issue. If her bill passes voters would have to submit a copy of their ID, she said. Daniel Ivey-Soto, a lobbyist for 33 New Mexico county clerk offices, said the voter ID bill is a divisive issue that makes it harder for comprehensive election reform to take place. “We’re very bipartisan, but the (voter ID bill) puts us in a tough situation because the issue is polarized,” he said. “It makes us look like we are supporting one party over the other, but we don’t care about parties. We feel election reform should be
see Poll ID page 3
friday
The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
cerven@unm.edu
Sasha Evangulova/ Daily Lobo Student Robert Liberatore juggles outside of the SUB on Tuesday. Liberatore runs a beginning juggling club every Friday at 7 p.m. in the SUB.
The UNM Women’s Resource Center is working to combat what they consider cuts aimed at New Mexico’s women. New Mexico’s first female governor, Susana Martinez, proposed cutting 100 percent of funding for the N.M. Commission of the Status of Women in her Jan. 1 executive budget. UNM WRC Interim Director Summer Little said she was surprised to hear about the cut because the state needs the commission. “When we look at how we rank in terms of domestic violence, sexual assault, poverty, all of the indicators of women’s wellness, the status of women in the state — I think that really provides the evidence the commission is still needed,” she said. The commission began at the WRC in the early 70s, and Little said the resource center still has a close connection with it. WRC employee Tatiana Burks said eliminating the commission will impact women who use the resource center. She said the resource center may also take on some of the commission’s programs in the event funding is cut. “It’s not a good idea,” she said. “If (Martinez) cuts the funding, it’s going to affect a lot of people and a lot of the people we help. … We refer a lot of the women who come here to the commission.” Legislation repealing the N.M. Commission on the Status of Women was introduced Tuesday, and, if it goes through, the commission will disappear June 30, according to House Bill 528. The bill would also attach the Office of the Governor’s Council on Women’s Health to the general Department of Health and transfer
see Centerpage 3
NM judge arrested on aggravated DWI charges Robles on unpaid leave until case goes to trial by Sue Major Holmes Associated Press
The head of a New Mexico anti-drunken-driving group is calling for the resignation of state Court of Appeals Judge Robert Robles, who was arrested earlier this week on drunken and reckless driving charges.
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 115
issue 102
Linda Atkinson, executive director of the DWI Resource Center, said Thursday that judges need to be held to a higher standard because their job requires the public’s trust. According to a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, an Albuquerque police officer pulled over Robles early Wednesday after having to swerve onto a sidewalk to avoid Robles’ car as it sped through a red light.
“I read it and weep,” Atkinson said. “I don’t understand why people, including judges of all people, have to get into a vehicle after drinking. This eludes me.” Robles is on unpaid leave, said Arthur Pepin, executive director of the state Administrative Office of the Courts. The judge’s telephone number is unlisted, and he could not be reached for comment Thursday. Robles had bloodshot eyes, his speech was slurred, and he reeked
Tough gets going
A slapshot at nationals
See page 8
See page 5
of alcohol when he was pulled over at about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, the complaint said. Police arrested him after he showed signs of impairment on field sobriety tests. The complaint said a breath test showed Robles’ blood-alcohol level was at least twice the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent. Robles told officers he had been “just circling around” on a “sad and lonely night,” the complaint said.
Asked how much alcohol he had consumed, he replied, “not that much,” the complaint said. Robles was held at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center for 10 to 12 hours before being released on his own recognizance, police spokesman Robert Gibbs said. He faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated drunken driving and reckless driving, and is scheduled
see Judge page 3
TODAY
63 | 35