Richardson drops another bomb on NM politics

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Since October 2007, New Mexico politics have been in a state of flux as the transition to the post-Pete Domenici era unfolded at the same time that the progressive takeover of American politics shifted the makeup of the state’s congressional delegation and Legislature.We thought the dust was about to settle. Domenici was out. So were Wilson and Pearce. And Bill Richardson — well, we all knew he came back to New Mexico to run for governor primarily so he could get another job in Washington, and we started 2009 thinking he was leaving to become commerce secretary. Which would mean Diane Denish would become, in the coming weeks, the first woman to be governor of New Mexico. Continue Reading

Wilson may run for governor in 2010

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This news is especially interesting given Gov. Bill Richardson’s withdrawal of his nomination to be commerce secretary: Heather Wilson, who is leaving public office after serving 10 years in Congress, may run for governor in 2010.The Republican told The Associated Press last week that she is considering running, but said she doesn’t know how soon she will reach a decision. “When I run, I run hard and I run to win,” the news service quoted Wilson as saying. “It’s a major commitment.”Wilson’s chances will be greatly impacted by the results of a federal grand jury investigation into allegations of pay-to-play in Richardson’s administration, an investigation that resulted today in Richardson announcing that he will remain governor, at least for now, instead of accepting Barack Obama’s nomination to be commerce secretary. Lt. Gov Diane Denish, who would have become governor if Richardson had left the state, has said Richardson might still leave, pointing out that Obama said he looks forward to Richardson joining his administration in some capacity at a later date. Despite Richardson’s withdrawal, Denish isn’t ending all transition plans at this point. Continue Reading

Pearce won’t seek GOP chairmanship; Yates will

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Steve Pearce, who is pondering his political future as he leaves the office of southern New Mexico congressional representative, has decided not to seek the state GOP party chairmanship.Pearce had floated the idea of running and was widely expected by many to seek the chairmanship as he explored future political options, but he has decided to instead support oilman Harvey Yates for the position, several sources confirmed. Yates will face at least three other candidates for the chairmanship at Saturday’s meeting of the state GOP central committee. The most formidable, according to the sources, is expected to be Farmington doctor Allen McCulloch, who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman in 2006. Republican sources said they have no doubt that Yates can raise money, but the media-shy oil giant, who rarely speaks to any journalist about any subject, would have to hire staffers who can build good relationships with the media and communicate with the public, the sources said. The Yates family controls a quarter of all federal land leased for oil and gas drilling — more than any other family or group in the nation. Continue Reading

Virgin Galactic signs spaceport lease

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As expected, Virgin Galactic signed a 20-year lease agreement with the state last week that locks the company into paying rent at Spaceport America and frees up tens of millions of dollars in funding to ensure the facility will actually be built. The company says it plans to locate its world headquarters in New Mexico and fly paying customers into suborbital space from the spaceport, which is located about 40 miles north of Las Cruces. “The signing of this agreement is a momentous day for our state and has cemented New Mexico as the home of commercial space travel,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a news release announcing the lease last week. “I want to thank Virgin Galactic for partnering with us to create a whole new industry that is going to transform the economy of southern New Mexico — creating thousands of jobs, generating money for education, boosting tourism and attracting other companies and economic opportunities to the area.” The signing of the lease came days after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a long-anticipated license to the state to operate the commercial spaceport, leaving the lease as the last condition placed on much of the funding for the facility by the state Legislature and the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners. Design of the spaceport is nearly complete, and officials say construction will begin early next year. The signing of the lease coincides with the beginning of the test flying program for Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo launch vehicle, which got underway this month in Mojave, Calif. Continue Reading

Voters in poll say Domenici is 2008’s top story

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s retirement finished first on the list of the top stories of 2008 in the last non-scientific poll on this site. Of 280 voters, 63, or 23 percent, said the Republican’s retirement was the top story of 2008. Meanwhile, 48, or 17 percent, picked the overall shellacking of the GOP; Barack Obama’s win and a true blue and very green congressional delegation each received 47 votes, or 17 percent; 33, or 12 percent, picked former state Sen. Manny Aragon’s conviction; 15, or 5 percent, picked the economy; Bill Richardson’s departure (which is no longer happening) and progressive gains in the Legislature each received 11 votes, or 4 percent; and 5 voters, or 2 percent, selected “other.” Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Denish calls guv’s decision a postponement of his exit

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Lt. Gov. Diane Denish doesn’t appear to have given up on the idea of becoming governor of New Mexico before the 2010 election.Pointing out that President-elect Barack Obama says he looks forward to Bill Richardson’s “future service to our country and in my administration,” Denish is characterizing Richardson’s withdrawal of his commerce secretary nomination as a postponement of his leaving New Mexico to take a job in Washington. “Gov. Richardson postponed taking a position in the administration to ensure that President Obama and the American people face no delays in getting to work to fix our ailing economy, and the president-elect said he looks forward to Gov. Richardson joining his administration in the days ahead,” Denish said in a statement released by her office. “In the meantime, Gov. Richardson and I will work together, as we have over the last six years, to tackle challenges at home, to craft a workable budget with the Legislature and to strengthen our economy to make sure that every New Mexico family has the opportunity to succeed.” Denish, who is already a declared candidate for governor in 2010, spoke with Richardson this morning about his decision, according to the statement. In statements they released today, Richardson and Obama both characterized Richardson’s withdrawal from consideration for the position as being Richardson’s decision. In addition to saying he looks forward to Richardson joining his administration at a later time, Obama said the move is “a measure of (Richardson’s) willingness to put the nation first” because it will prevent “any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time.” In his statement, Richardson said he’s confident the grand jury currently investigating allegations of pay-to-play in his administration — which led to his decision to withdraw his nomination — will clear him and his administration. Continue Reading

Citing probe, guv withdraws from commerce job

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Richardson plans to keep his job as governor of New Mexico and says grand jury investigation will reveal no wrongdoingThis article has been updated. Bill Richardson, who was President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for commerce secretary, withdrew his name from consideration for the position today because of an ongoing federal investigation into allegations of pay-to-play in his administration, NBC News is reporting. “Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact,” NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell quoted Richardson as saying in an exclusive report. “But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.” No date had been set for Richardson’s confirmation hearing, and pressure on the governor has been escalating as national media outlets have been shining increasing light on the grand jury investigation in recent weeks. Richardson, according to the statement provided to NBC News, plans to continue in his role as governor. Continue Reading

The economic crisis: an investment opportunity

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The Health Security Act is a safe investment the state needs to make By Jane Blume We are facing the greatest economic crisis since the depression. Unemployment is increasing, health costs are rising, families are financially strapped, and in 2009 our state Legislature must deal with expanding costs along with a huge deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars. A key factor in the financial problems faced by the Big Three automakers and other businesses is the ever-rising cost of health care. These expenses are also impacting our state budget, which is confronted with increasing health-care expenditures for Medicaid programs and state and local government employees and retirees. These rising costs are putting pressure, once again, on our state lawmakers to decide how to maintain a healthy population with fewer financial resources, while at the same time allocating sufficient funds for education and other state obligations. Continue Reading

Our new leaders need us to stay involved

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The Domenici dominoes and Richardson’s departure mean a number of newbies will be calling the shots in New Mexico. They need us to hold them accountable. It began with U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s retirement, and it ended with President-elect Barack Obama nominating Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary. In all, 2008 led to turnover in New Mexico politics on an almost unfathomable level. As a result, New Mexico is greener, both in the political and experience senses of the word. Continue Reading

Don’t bet against the GOP in 2010

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By Allen Weh Last week I met with the state Republican Party Executive Committee for what I considered to be one of the most important briefings of my tenure as chairman of the New Mexico GOP. The mainstream media and our Democrat opponents continue to taunt us for our 2008 losses, asking “how” and “when” the Republican Party can rebuild. That is why last week’s meeting with GOP leaders was so important. I believe that in New Mexico there is nothing to rebuild. There is only that which we can, and must, continue to build upon! Continue Reading

2008 review: Bragging about NM and saying goodbye

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By Diane D. Denish As the year winds down and we prepare to spend the holidays with our families and friends, it’s a good time to look back and reflect on all that has happened over the last year. When historians look back on 2008, they will highlight the election of Barack Obama and the increase in youth activism and excitement that carried him to victory, the spectacle of the Beijing Olympics, the historic financial crisis, the continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the see-sawing oil prices that put our state into a budget shortfall.It was a remarkable year! However, when I think back on 2008, I will also remember what happened here, in our communities. While the last year was plagued by economic crisis, forcing many states into unmanageable deficits, New Mexico is riding out the storm and we have some things to brag about. We have seen tremendous growth in the film industry. Continue Reading

Conservative to the end

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Steve Pearce stayed true to his right-leaning views even as his Senate campaign went down in flames. What will he do now? In the end, few would say Steve Pearce didn’t stand by his principles. As the Republican congressman from southern New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District prepares to leave office and face an uncertain future, one thing that can be said about him is that he has consistently held to his right-wing values during his six years in office and his failed campaign this year to replace Pete Domenici in the Senate. Many would say Pearce’s Senate campaign went down in flames at least in part because of his refusal to budge. Continue Reading

2008 brought change, change and more change

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It was a year of almost unfathomable change in New Mexico’s political landscape. Giants retired, lost elections or left the state. A new crop of elected officials will be in charge come January. The economy tanked, and its effects colored the election. In all, the theme that ties it all together is change.Voters are demanding change. Continue Reading

SOS stands firm in face of nonprofits’ lawsuit

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The Secretary of State’s Office says it is standing firm in the face of a lawsuit challenging its attempt to force two nonprofits to register as political committees or pay steep fines. “Attorney General (Gary) King said it best: ‘If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck,’” Secretary of State Mary Herrera said this evening in a news release. “We cannot allow organizations with political agendas to manipulate the campaign reporting laws of New Mexico for the sole purpose of benefiting any political party, Democrat, Republican or independent.” Herrera said she’s confident “that justice will prevail, and that the integrity of New Mexico’s campaign reporting laws will be preserved by our judicial system.” But again, as she and King have done in the past, Herrera failed to state exactly why she believes mailers sent out by SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP) and the Center for Civic Policy’s New Mexico Youth Organized (NMYO) two to three months before the June primary targeting several lawmakers, including some who had primary opponents, fit the definition of “political activity” in the state’s Campaign Reporting Act. All they have done is use the “duck” quote. The nonprofits filed the lawsuit earlier this week in an attempt to block the efforts to force them to register as political committees or pay steep fines. Continue Reading

Company selected to build spaceport

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The New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced today the selection of Gerald Martin Construction Management of Albuquerque to oversee the building of Spaceport America.It’s an award-winning company founded in 1974 with offices throughout New Mexico and one in Arizona, according to a news release from the spaceport authority. The company’s team, the release states, will include specialists with experience in aviation facilities, fire and emergency facilities that service aeronautic and rocket facilities, and specialists who have worked with NASA. “We are proud to be a part of this historic endeavor,” James Mee, Gerald Martin’s vice president of construction management, was quoted in the release as saying. “Gerald Martin Construction Management has assembled a superb team that will provide specific and focused expertise to all areas of the project at each phase of the project.” Spaceport Director Steve Landeene said the authority is excited to work with the company. “There were many quality applicants in our selection process, and we feel confident that Gerald Martin has a level of experience, cost effectiveness and local knowledge that will give us the edge as we begin construction,” he said. Continue Reading