In state of state address, Richardson sends a message: He, not scandal, budget constraints or anything else, is still determining the state’s course.
Gov. Bill Richardson made only one reference to the federal grand jury investigation plaguing his administration during his state of the state address today, and he did it with a joke:
“Now I know there were some legislators here who were looking forward to my departure and not having — you weren’t supposed to laugh — and not having to deal with me this session,” Richardson said. “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
Then Richardson got down to business, unloading on lawmakers a lengthy agenda for the session that includes balancing the budget but also dealing with education, alternative energy, crime, ethics reform and other issues. The message from Richardson seemed to be that he isn’t weakened at all by the controversy and that he, not scandal, budget constraints or anything else, is still determining the state’s course.
To that end, Richardson acknowledged the necessity of trimming the budget, but said there’s much more to do than cut spending.
“Everyone understands why this must be the year of fiscal restraint. Some are offering a pessimistic view of our future. But pessimism never built a road, never taught a student and never immunized a child. It never protected our streets, never created a job, and pessimism will not solve this crisis,” Richardson said. “Our task this session is not just to cut spending, pass two budgets, and go home. Our task must be to keep building a vibrant, optimistic New Mexico that looks over the horizon with hope and anticipation.”
Richardson said the state did all it could to prepare for “the biggest global financial crisis of our lifetime” by balancing its budget, putting money in reserves, increasing revenue through economic growth, cutting taxes and diversifying the state’s economy. But, to weather the “cold financial winter” ahead, he said the state must draw down its reserves from 10 percent to 8 percent in addition to cutting spending.
“For the last six years, I’ve staunchly defended a 10 percent reserve — or rainy day fund. But, if our national economy is the weather, then it’s raining — hard,” Richardson said.
After joking about the fact that he isn’t leaving the state to join President Barack Obama’s administration as commerce secretary, the governor congratulated Obama on his inauguration, which he called “a new beginning for America.”
If Richardson is politically weakened because of the federal probe — which was the reason for his withdrawal of the commerce nomination — there was no sign of it during his speech. He was warmly greeted by legislators, statewide officials and others who were present.
Some specific proposals
Richardson said during his speech that he will propose an “economic security plan” to stimulate the state’s economy that will focus largely on alternative energy. His proposals include the creation of a new research center to help move new technologies to commercial production, an increase in and expansion of the renewable energy production tax credit and an extension of tax credits for small businesses.
But Richardson’s agenda extends far beyond the economy. He is backing a change to the school-funding formula and other education initiatives, domestic partner benefits, a new Pecos Canyon State Park, an expansion of the Roadrunner Food Bank, health-insurance reform that includes a move to electronic medical records, increasing penalties for selling alcohol to minors and overserving those who can legally drink, and ethics reform that includes the creation of a state ethics commission and the enactment of campaign contribution limits.
Richardson didn’t comment much on the need for ethics reform when announcing his backing of reform proposals, but many have speculated that the controversy plaguing his administration will give new life to the push for reform.
You can read Richardson’s full speech by clicking here.