Gov. Bill Richardson was all smiles and jokes today during a news conference and bill-signing ceremony in Las Cruces.
Richardson was greeted warmly by lawmakers, local politicians and New Mexico State University officials during the ceremony at NMSU’s Business Complex.
“The Legislative session wasn’t very good, but for New Mexico State, it was great,” the governor said with a chuckle in announcing more than $33 million in new funding for NMSU that came out of the legislative session and the creation of a new doctorate program in economic development.
Richardson’s beard was the most mentioned subject at the event. Business Dean and former Gov. Garrey Carruthers introduced the governor as “Adjunct Professor Richardson” – a reference to his teaching a course at NMSU a couple of years ago – and joked about the facial hair the governor has been growing since he withdrew from the presidential race in January.
Carruthers pointed to two bearded men standing at the back of the room and told Richardson that they are among the top economists around.
“So you’re on the right track if that’s your goal,” he told Richardson.
Richardson is usually lighthearted at bill-signing ceremonies, but his demeanor at today’s event was a stark contrast to mood in Santa Fe caused by his tough fight with senators over a number of issues including health-care reform. Richardson said today that he will meet with Senate leaders on Thursday to discuss when to hold a special session for health-care reform.
Richardson signed six bills in Las Cruces, including Senate Bill 71, which outlaws human trafficking. The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana.
After telling the group that the new law brings New Mexico in line with other border states, he introduced “the one-and-only” Garcia.
“You look great with that beard,” Garcia told the governor.
Richardson also signed three bills sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Nava, D-Las Cruces, and two bills sponsored by Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces. And he made a point of thanking Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, who helped rewrite Richardson’s health-care bill during the session into something the House was willing to approve. Richardson said Cervantes “cobbled together” an acceptable proposal. The Senate later rejected the bill.
After the event, Richardson told reporters he hasn’t decided whether to sign a bill that would create a veterans’ museum in Las Cruces, saying Rio Rancho also wants the museum and he wants to find a solution all will accept. He said he will sign Senate Bill 1, which will provide an alternate path to the ballot for major-party candidates for statewide and federal offices who fail to secure 20 percent of the votes at their party’s preprimary nominating conventions.
In the Second Congressional District race, there are a couple of big-name candidates who some think are struggling to reach 20 percent, so the news may come as a relief to some.
Before Richardson headed to Alamogordo and Roswell, he greeted Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima after the news conference by asking if he was “Mr. Miyagi” – an apparent reference to the character from the movie The Karate Kid. And when he saw Las Cruces developer Philip Philippou, he chanted “Phil-i-ppou” several times, sounding out each syllable with a big grin on his face.
Carruthers pointed to two bearded men standing at the back of the room and told 
