Task force explores complexities of ethics commission

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Most members of the state Task Force on Ethics Reform seem to agree that New Mexico needs an ethics commission. But they’re wresting with a lot of complicated issues in trying to determine its structure. For example, should it have oversight of judges, or leave that to the state’s Judicial Standards Commission? Should it have oversight of the Legislature or leave that to the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee? Should it oversee local governments? Continue Reading

Foley case a political hot potato for judges

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The police officer who arrested House Minority Whip Dan Foley last month has moved the case out municipal court, ensuring that a judge who has faced criticism for refusing to recuse himself won’t preside over the proceedings. The police department didn’t tell the Roswell Daily Record whether Municipal Judge Clyde McKee’s decision to stay on the case resulted in Officer Pete Hernandez’s decision to move the case from municipal to magistrate court in Roswell. Regardless, the move was wise after McKee refused to recuse himself. McKee gave $50 to one of Foley’s past campaigns, and his son is a close friend and financial backer of Foley. In addition, McKee told the Record last week how he would likely rule on a motion to delay the trial date in the case even though he hadn’t yet seen the motion, creating an appearance of prejudice. Continue Reading

Power runs amuck in our corporate-driven democracy

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On Friday evening, three successive stories on EPSN were about an NFL quarterback charged with running an illegal dogfighting ring, an FBI investigation into whether an NBA referee illegally bet on games he called, and the notorious Barry Bonds being booed as he approached baseball’s all-time home run record. Bonds, as many know, is at the center of baseball’s steroids scandal and could soon be indicted. The stories reminded me of the never-ending scandals in Washington and Santa Fe. They also caused me to ponder the danger of power that’s unchecked. Baseball is probably the best example in sports. Continue Reading

Pearce wins immunity for reporting suspicious activity

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In case you haven’t noticed lately, I really like when congressional offices provide video for blogs. Our state’s representatives and senators often get lost in the shuffle in Washington, and the video is a way to not only be assured that they’re paying attention to issues about which New Mexicans care, but to also see exactly what they said. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has begun providing such video. Today, Democratic leadership in the House and Senate decided to include a provision in the Homeland Security Bill he sponsored that would give civil immunity to citizens who report suspected terrorism. The move follows outcry the resulted from the Democrats stripping the provision last week. Continue Reading

The blogosphere is coming of age in New Mexico

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By Whitney Cheshire One of my favorite subjects is the political blogosphere. Could we really be coming of age in New Mexico? Call them blogs, call them on-line newspapers, call them anything you want, but collectively they can be described as increasingly powerful. Take, for example, the Bill Richardson Debate Performance Saga. Every public appearance now seems to be coupled with intense online scrutiny and embarrassing report card-like grading systems. This week’s CNN-YouTube debate didn’t even throw Richardson a question until a full 20 minutes into the program, but oh how the online Quarterbacks weighed in on his so-very-brief performance! Continue Reading

With guv on campaign trail, Denish steps up

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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. Continue Reading

Auditor tells task force he should remain independent

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State Auditor Hector Balderas urged the Task Force on Ethics Reform during a meeting Monday in Socorro to recommend that his office remain independent of the governor. The task force didn’t make a final decision on whether to recommend that the auditor become an appointed, instead of elected, position. The group is also considering whether to recommend, if the auditor remains independent, placing requirements on who can run for the office. I wrote last year that I believe the auditor should remain an elected position. But Monday’s discussion shed some interesting light on the debate about how to improve the system. Continue Reading

NMSU prez to live in home paid for by secret donor

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New Mexico State University President Michael Martin and his wife will take advantage of a $6,000-per-month gift from a secret donor to move out of the university-owned president’s residence and into a private home. The home is being built near Mesilla on Union Avenue, according to the Las Cruces Bulletin. I’ve written a lot lately about the university stepping into controversy by using money from anonymous contributors to beef up the compensation of its president and (now former) basketball coach, so I’ll only rehash the issues here briefly: The Board of Regents raised Martin’s annual salary in May from $294,000 to $335,000. His deferred compensation – which he only receives if he stays through 2012 – was increased from $50,000 to $100,000, and 70 percent will be paid by secret contributors. In addition, the $6,000-per-month housing allowance is being contributed by the private sector and funneled through the NMSU Foundation. Continue Reading

Richardson ad focuses on Guard families, veterans

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Gov. Bill Richardson’s new television advertisement, now airing in Iowa and New Hampshire, is certain to get the attention of soldiers and their families. The 30-second ad, released Monday, is airing in Iowa and New Hampshire. “When a National Guard soldier would fall in combat, the family was only getting $12,000 – a national disgrace,” the ad’s narrator says. “Bill Richardson passed the first law in the nation giving National Guard soldiers $400,000 in life insurance. Eighteen states followed his lead.” The ad also promotes Richardson’s proposal to create a “hero’s health card” for veterans, which will allow them to receive health care at any facility instead of only at veteran’s facilities. Continue Reading

Our growth must be managed

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By Dr. James “Jim” Kadlecek “….the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.” – Jean-Jacque Rousseau, the Social Contract We who choose to live in Doña Ana County in the year 2007 are paying for the sins of the past. We tend to use the word “forefathers” with a degree of respect. That’s appropriate, because it is from those who came before us that we inherit all the good things we enjoy. It is probably fortunate that we tend to remember the good and push the bad into the hazy area of the forgotten. But what about learning from past mistakes? Continue Reading

Richardson gives stronger debate performance

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Gov. Bill Richardson gave his best debate performance of the 2008 Democratic presidential race on Monday, but he was still bested by a number of his opponents. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Joe Biden all performed better. But Richardson’s statements were strong and definite. His voice was firm and he appeared confident and more passionate than he has during past debates. His strongest answer of the night – and perhaps his best in any debate thus far – came in answer to a question about what to do in Darfur. Continue Reading

Pearce’s Iraq stance hurts re-election bid, many say

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A large percentage of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce’s disagreement with Sen. Pete Domenici on how to handle the war in Iraq will hurt the congressman’s 2008 re-election bid. Of 138 voters, 60, or 43 percent, said his position will hurt his re-election bid, while 41 voters, or 30 percent, said it will help him, and 37, or 27 percent, said it will have no effect. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Democratic 2008 hopefuls square off Monday in S.C.

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CNN and YouTube will co-host a debate of the Democratic presidential candidates on Monday evening. The debate, which will be held in South Carolina, is the first of the 2008 election season that is officially sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee. Gov. Bill Richardson and the other Democratic presidential contenders will all be in attendance. CNN and YouTube will host a debate of the Republican candidates on Sept. 17. Continue Reading

Denish, lawmakers urge citizens to get involved

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Lieutenant Gov. Diane Denish and a number of lawmakers spoke to a group of about 30 Doña Ana County residents today about the importance of being involved in government and politics. The lunch-time meeting at a restaurant in Mesilla was one of nine monthly events for people from the business community who are part of Leadership Las Cruces, a program designed to help them become future leaders. Denish, on a quick trip down south, spoke about how her father’s involvement in politics instilled in her a need to serve her community. “That was his legacy to me, and I hope I leave it to my children and, now, to my two grandchildren,” she said. During her speech, Denish, who is spending most of her time as acting governor while Bill Richardson is on the campaign trail, laid out what could become her 2010 gubernatorial platform. Continue Reading

Roberta Vigil pleads not guilty in corruption case

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Roberta Vigil pleaded not guilty today to fraud and other felony charges related to the misuse of public money at the West Las Vegas School District. She entered the plea in district court in Santa Fe, the Associated Press is reporting. After the hearing, her lawyer, Sam Bregman, characterized the charges as “absolutely ridiculous.” “I can understand no other reason why they would indict Roberta Vigil on anything based on the fact that the West Las Vegas school district had a party, except for the fact that right now her last name is Vigil,” the news service quoted Bregman as saying. Vigil is the wife of state Rep. Richard Vigil, whose brother, former state Treasurer Robert Vigil, is currently in prison for his role in the scandal that rocked that office. Roberta Vigil’s trial date has been set for Jan. Continue Reading