DAILY LOBO new mexico
monday Gay marriage ban proposed January 27, 2014
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
Senator: “The root of all problems in society is what I call ‘dadlessness.’” SHARER: “We can save a lot of
money spent on prisons and save that for education. We can save a lot of money spent on welfare and Medicaid and save that for education. That funding wouldn’t be necessary if you have a dad in your life.” Courtesy Photo
by Ardee Napolitano news@dailylobo.com @ArdeeTheJourno
One state legislator believes same-sex marriages should be outlawed to prevent “dadlessness” in the state. New Mexico Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said samesex marriages take away the
father figure that is present in a heterosexual marriage, which leads to social problems. “The root of all problems in society is what I call ‘dadlessness,’” he said. “Marriage has been a way to put a dad in the family. A dad is more than a biological father.” During this year’s legislative session, Sharer is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 6, a proposed
amendment to New Mexico’s constitution that would say, “marriage, which is a right, in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.” SJR 6 also aims to let New Mexicans vote on the legality of same-sex marriage in the next general or special election. Sharer is co-sponsoring the bill with state Rep. Nora Espinoza, RRoswell, and pre-filed the joint resolution on Dec. 20 last year. The joint resolution arose after the state Supreme Court on Dec. 19 ruled unanimously that the government “is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law.” New Mexico then became
the 17th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Sharer said the ruling was unjust. “Are we a government by the people for the people, or are we a government by the courts for the courts?” he said. “I am surprised by a lot of issues. Marriage between a man and a woman is not a new idea … Marriage is a lot more than inheritance and financial consideration.” Sharer said he will strive to pass the resolution so that the state can “start to recover from our problems.” He claimed that
most inmates in the state are “dadless,” but was unable to cite a direct source when questioned by the Daily Lobo. “We can save a lot of money spent on prisons and save that for education,” Sharer said. “We can save a lot of money spent on welfare and Medicaid and save that for education. That funding wouldn’t be necessary if you have a dad in your life.” However, Alma Rosa SilvaBanuelos, coordinator of UNM’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Resource
see Dadless PAGE 6
SILVA-BANUELOS: “To me, all of this, at this point, is opinion
because the Supreme Court has already ruled in this matter. The Supreme Court has ruled unanimously on same-gender marriage and ultimately, marriage equality.”
UNM student organizations bear cost cuts
BATON PASS
by Chloe Henson and Manuel Sandoval news@dailylobo.com @ChloeHenson5 @Sandovalmanny
Aaron Sweet/@AaronCSweet / Daily Lobo Charles Lewis receives the baton from Mustafa Mudada during the 4x400 meter relay race Saturday. The UNM team took fifth place at the sixth annual University of New Mexico Cherry and Silver Collegiate Track and Field Competition. The meet boasted many of the nation’s top athletes, roughly 900 from 31 schools. Several athletes came from major institutions such as Arkansas, Georgia, Florida State, Stanford and Connecticut.
GPSA backs immigrant licenses Supporters cite necessity of proper identification for everyday activities, including life at UNM by Chloe Henson
assistant-news@dailylobo.com @ChloeHenson5 The graduate student government expressed their support of undocumented students at a council meeting on Saturday. UNM’s Graduate and Professional Student Association at UNM passed a resolution that supports all students being granted state-issued driver’s licenses, including undocumented students. Christopher Ramirez, a graduate student, said he was part of the UNM Dream
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 118
issue 83
Team and the Raza Graduate Student Association, which both introduced and supported the resolution. During his presentation time, Ramirez discussed undocumented graduate students at UNM, current ID laws for undocumented immigrants and the need for a government-issued driver’s license. “Think about all of the things that you have to do to show an ID, including getting your Lobo ID here at the University,” he said. Last semester, Ramirez and the Dream Team presented a resolution that called for
allowing students here under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act from out of state to qualify for in-state tuition. GPSA and the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico passed the resolution. On Jan. 17, New Mexico Rep. Paul Pacheco, a Republican representing Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, introduced House Bill 127, which would create a two-tiered driver’s license system, according to the New Mexico Legislature site. The proposed bill would require two licenses to be issued, one for New Mexico
see Licenses PAGE 6
Movin’ on up
Downward spiral
see Page 11
see Back Page
In the first of two deliberation sessions, UNM’s Student Fee Review Board met Saturday to discuss where to allocate student money in the next fiscal year. While none of the decisions are final, the SFRB gave an estimated amount for most of the ethnic centers as well as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Resource Center. The board voted to grant the amount of recurring funds the center requested, which is $5.66 per student. Last year the center was funded at $3.95 per student, according to the SFRB website. Maria Elena Corral, the council chair for the Graduate and Professional Student Association of UNM and a non-voting SFRB member, motioned to grant the $5.66 with the stipulation that the center seeks outside funding. LGBTQ Center Director Alma Rosa Silva-Banuelos said even if the center receives the requested increase, it will still be taking cuts. “We had gotten that three-year (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grant. It was $100,000 a year,” she said. “That is now ending at the end of this fiscal year.” The board voted to reduce the center’s one-time funding from the requested $5,000 to $3,500. GPSA President Priscila Poliana, a voting member on the SFRB, proposed lowering the one-time funding to $3,500 as a compromise. GPSA Council member Luke Holmen, a non-voting SFRB member, initially proposed to lower the funding to $2,500. “Not that I don’t want to give students every opportunity,” he said, “but I think we need to implement cost-cutting measures.” The Student Fee Review Board also voted to give the members of El Centro de la Raza their requested amount of recurring funding at $7.06 per student. The board cut the requested funding for the Women’s Resource Center by $.04 per student, standing now at $4.57.
see Funding PAGE 3
TODAY
50 | 30