Can guv balance campaign with 2008 Legislature?

I’ve been thinking today about what the 2008 legislative session is going to look like in light of Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run.

The governor has raised enough cash so that, no matter what the polls say, he’s likely to be in the race at least through Feb. 5. At least four small states will hold presidential nominating contests in January. So many states are holding their contests on Feb. 5 that we should know that day who the nominees will be from the Democratic and Republican parties.

Iowa holds its caucus on Jan. 14 – a day before the New Mexico Legislature begins work. Expect Richardson to spend several days before that in Iowa campaigning at a frantic pace, without much sleep. That’s what it’s going to take for the underdog to even have a shot at winning.

Though his government staffers will be working on legislative issues, Richardson is likely to be preoccupied.

Then, four days after the session starts, Nevada voters will pick their candidates. Expect Richardson to spend most of his time in that state.

Three days later, on Jan. 22, New Hampshire will hold its primary. Seven days after that, on Jan. 29, voters in South Carolina and Florida will pick their candidates.

Five days later is Feb. 5. Richardson is likely to make a quick stop in New Mexico that day, because Democrats are holding their primary here, and he needs to win his home state, but expect him to also visit several other states that day and not spend any time on legislative issues.

The time could get even busier for presidential candidates. The entire calendar has been in flux for months, and it’s possible others will move up their contests to Feb. 5 or even January.

I can’t see Richardson spending much time during at least the first 22 days of the 30-day session in New Mexico or focused on the Legislature. What happens after that is unknown. The session ends on Feb. 14, and Richardson has until March 5 to sign bills.

Keep in mind this year’s battle between the Senate and governor over the budget. The Senate’s wise moves meant Richardson had to act on capital outlay and budget bills before the end of the session, giving him less leverage to threaten lawmakers.

He might not even be around to fight that battle this time.

Lawmakers know this. Several have told me they’re expecting to call the shots next year. Many of the lawmakers who are most influential on budgetary issues have been concerned for years about the growth of state government. With Richardson less involved, will they scale back spending? Or at least limit new spending?

A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that the Florida primary date of Jan. 29 wasn’t set in stone.