Journal polls find support for commuter rail and campaign finance reform, less for spaceport

There were a couple of interesting polls released by the Albuquerque Journal this weekend.

Nearly 60 percent of New Mexicans were on board with the idea of a $400 million commuter rail from Santa Fe to Belen. Meanwhile, only 35 percent supported the plan to build a spaceport at Upham, while 56 percent were opposed and eight percent were undecided.

Support for the spaceport project was higher in Albuquerque and Southern New Mexico, the Journal reported, while support for the commuter rail was lower in Southern New Mexico.

The biggest drag on the approval rating for the spaceport came from Northwestern New Mexico.

The poll, conducted by Research and Polling, Inc., surveyed 400 likely voters throughout the state, according to the Journal.

The results aren’t surprising to me. The commuter rail will directly benefit two of the state’s three largest population centers – Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It has already begun operations and is seeing success. Voters are currently optimistic about it because it appears to be working.

Meanwhile, the spaceport is less tangible, and the highly touted first launch has been delayed repeatedly. People aren’t yet seeing any benefit from their investment in the project.

In addition, the spaceport project isn’t centered in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area. It makes sense that most jobs will be created in the Las Cruces area and, to a lesser degree, in Albuquerque, and those who live north of the Duke City won’t see as much personal benefit.

That could change in time. Communities throughout Texas support the Johnson Space Center in Houston because it benefits their state. I doubt many in Farmington oppose their tax dollars going to White Sands Missile Range because it’s not located closer to them.

A second Journal poll found that 90 percent of likely voters think there should be restrictions placed on gifts political candidates and elected officials can receive, and 80 percent support putting limits on campaign contributions from individuals and businesses.

It’s quite rare to see 90 percent agreeing in a poll, Brian Sanderoff, the president of Research and Polling, told the Journal.

Despite that agreement, six in 10 said government corruption is no worse in New Mexico than in other states.

That also makes sense. New Mexico is one of the few states experiencing the scandals that plague the Republican-controlled federal government and the Democratic-controlled state government at the same time. New Mexicans have reason to be down on the entire system.

That poll also surveyed 400 likely voters and has a margin of error of 5 percentage points.

The second Journal article contained an incredible quote from Speaker of the House Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe.

“If you … go state by state on the corruption that they have from the state to local level, we have much less corruption in the state of New Mexico,” Lujan told the Journal. “Overall, the elected officials are truly honest, hardworking individuals.”

Less corruption? Woah, buddy. Do you recall the state treasurer scandal? The scandal involving former state Insurance Superintendent Eric Serna? All the judicial scandals? Our controversial governor? The recent scandals involving the regional housing authorities and your good friend, Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos?

I could go on. But it’s not necessary. We can all see right through that quote.