With guv on campaign trail, Denish steps up

For the past three months, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish estimates that she has been acting governor all but 12-15 days.

As Gov. Bill Richardson continues his quest for the presidency, she doesn’t see that changing anytime before Feb. 5 – the day so many states hold primaries that we’ll most likely know who wins the Democratic nomination. That doesn’t mean Denish is calling all the shots, however.

“We’re working really closely with his staff,” she said. “He’s still very much involved. Until he resigns (to take a job in Washington), he makes the final decisions, but I think he’s very willing to listen to me and the people on the ground.”

Despite that, the next few months present an opportunity for Denish to play a larger role in setting the tone of the 2008 Legislature and proving, as she prepares to run for governor in 2010 or take the office sooner if Richardson goes to Washington, that she’s up to the task.

She’s working on a health-care reform package she hopes Richardson will make the top policy issue during the 2008 session. Richardson will also have to decide in the coming months whether to call a special session for ethics reform or put it on the call for the 30-day session that begins Jan. 15.

Denish and a task force have been working on health-care recommendations, and she may propose the creation of a health-care authority to bring together various state agencies that deal with the topic, with the goal of reducing costs. The proposal will likely include a comprehensive plan to insure all New Mexicans that will require support from individuals, insurance companies and employers.

Denish knows “there’s a possibility I’ll be the acting governor for a good portion of the session,” and said she’s going to be working with lawmakers the rest of this year to help smooth the way for health-care reform.

She’s also hoping there are no tie votes in the Senate. When she can’t preside and break ties because she is acting governor, such votes die for lack of a majority. There is no provision in state law for someone else to preside.

Denish said she expects the capital outlay money available during the session to be a “very healthy” amount, but said she’ll continue Richardson’s focus on funding projects that are ready to go, not appropriating small amounts for projects that are years from becoming reality.

Early presidential contests begin the day before the session starts with Iowa’s caucuses on Jan. 14. Denish, who has signed on as co-chair of his Women for Richardson movement, said she believes Richardson “has a real shot” at winning the Democratic nomination.

She also said she expects Richardson “to be successful in some way.” He has said he’s not interested in vice president and, if he’s not elected president, he’ll return to New Mexico and keep his job as governor. So I asked what Denish meant, and she said she “expect(s) him to be asked to take a job” in a Democratic White House administration if he’s not the successful candidate.

She said she doesn’t know whether he would accept such a job.

If Richardson does resign, Denish becomes governor, but there’s no provision in state law for the appointment of a new lieutenant governor. A bill that would have created such a procedure didn’t pass during this year’s session.

Denish said she “wouldn’t leave the job in limbo” if she became governor. She said she would task her lawyers with legal research and seeking a way to get a new lieutenant governor in place.