A lawsuit challenges a ban on “disparaging” school tests by public education students that has been called a “gag rule” in the past.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed the lawsuit in First Judicial District Court Wednesday morning on behalf of six public schools teachers and one parent of a student in public schools.

A regulation from the state Public Education Department (PED) says that public education employees cannot “disparage or diminish the significance, importance or use of standardized tests.” Penalties for violating the provision include “suspension or revocation of a person’s educator or administrator licensure or other PED...

—Judge keeps candidate on ballot.

A judge ruled that Jeremy Tremko will remain on the ballot for the Republican primary in House District 50. Matthew McQueen, the Democratic incumbent from Galisteo, challenged a number of his signatures, including from an individual who signed multiple times; McQueen said none of these should count, while Tremko argued at least one should count.

McQueen can still appeal to the Supreme Court.

Tremko was represented by a Republican state Representative, Zach Cook of Ruidoso.

The race will be a tough one for Republicans; it has been solidly Democratic and McQueen beat Republican Rep. Vickie Perea after Gov. Susana Martinez appointed her to the position...

State AG’s Charities Unit was a lead agency in the action against the sham charities

SANTA FE –  Attorney General Hector Balderas along with the Federal Trade Commission and an unprecedented group consisting of all fifty states and the District of Columbia, announced that the last two nationwide sham cancer charities named in the largest charity regulation case in history, are to be dissolved, their assets transferred to a receiver for liquidation, and their president banned for life from profiting from fundraising, consulting or conducting charitable activity March 30.

The stringent ban and total forfeiture of all assets available under the law was obtained through settlement...

District 22 Senate situation related to finances

SANTE FE – Sandra Jeff, a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives who served District 5 for one term, apparently won’t be on the ballot for another political run this year.

At issue, are matters that deal with the Campaign Reporting Act.

Jeff filed to run for the District 22 Senate seat currently held by Benny Shendo of Jemez Pueblo. Shendo, who like Jeff is a Democrat, is ending his first term in the Senate.

“I heard that she’s not going to run after all,” Shendo said. “That’s about all I know.”

Amy Bailey, general counsel at the Secretary of State’s Office in Santa Fe, said Jeff failed to qualify...