Richardson signs ethics bill, reconvenes task force

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Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law today the only bill in his ethics reform package that had widespread support during the legislative session. House Bill 823, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, makes several amendments to the Governmental Conduct Act. It requires that public officials disclose, in cases of contracts and other business with the state, not only their own business but also that of spouses, children, parents and siblings. It also makes the act apply to judges, who are currently exempt from its provision that prohibits bribery. “It makes sure that the public knows that the people serving them are there for the highest reasons,” Cervantes said during the bill-signing ceremony, which was held at New Mexico State University. Continue Reading

Supporters celebrate spaceport tax victory

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Supporters of the spaceport tax celebrated its passage this afternoon at an event in Las Cruces, but also spoke about the clear division revealed by the 270-vote victory. “To Doña Ana County: You made the history books this week,” Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said on the steps of Hadley Hall on the New Mexico State University Campus. “Now it’s time to come together.” Gov. Bill Richardson, standing in front of about 100 people, said he understands that county residents will demand accountability and that they have concerns about the project. “We got the message,” he said. “… I am here not to gloat, but to say thank you. Continue Reading

Denish talks about spaceport, ethics and her future

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Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is a strong supporter not only of Spaceport America but also of using local gross receipts tax increases to help fund it. “I think the state has done its part by putting in its big chunks of money,” Denish said. She made her comments during a visit to Las Cruces on Thursday hours before the tallying of ballots in Doña Ana County revealed that the tax increase here had passed. Denish said such a victory would “give the spaceport some legs with the other counties.” Otero and Sierra counties have also been asked to approve tax increases, but their commissions were waiting for the results from Doña Ana County before deciding whether to take the question to voters. Denish agreed with tax supporters who said the vote in Doña Ana County was critical to the project’s future. Continue Reading

Final tally has tax approved by 270 votes

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Doña Ana County voters ended up approving a 1/4 percent increase in the gross receipts tax to help fund Spaceport America by 270 votes. After completing the canvass this morning, which included considering all provisional ballots, the county released final results: 9,020 people, or 50.8 percent, voted for the tax; 8,750 people, or 49.2 percent, voted against it. That means 17,770 people voted – 18.4 percent of the 96,435 who were registered to vote in the election. The results remain unofficial until commissioners certify them at a meeting on Tuesday. The tax taxes effect on Jan. Continue Reading

Cervantes hasn’t decided if he’ll run for Congress

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Watching the room at a meeting of the Doña Ana County Democratic Party on Thursday, you might have thought there were three men vying for the right to take on U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., in 2008. Al Kissling and Bill McCamley worked the room hard at the annual meeting, at which new leaders and delegates to the state party were selected. But State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, was working just as hard. McCamley and Kissling have already declared that they’re in the race and, because of that, both gave speeches at the meeting. Cervantes’ last public comments about the race came in December, when he told me he was seriously considering running and would meet with his family to make a decision “as soon as I’m done with the session.” The session is over. Continue Reading

Butler says there won’t be a tax election recount

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One of the most vocal opponents of the spaceport tax says the loosely knit group can’t afford and won’t seek a recount. “No recount. No money,” said Doña Ana County Commissioner Oscar Vasquez Butler. “This is rich against the poor.” The most updated count as of 5 p.m. Thursday gives supporters of the tax 8,947 votes, or 50.8 percent, and opponents 8,682 votes, or 49.2 percent. The difference is 265 votes, or 1.6 percent, and there are 108 provisional ballots left to consider. Continue Reading

Spaceport tax supporters exuberant in victory

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As it became clear this afternoon that they had enough votes to declare victory, spaceport tax supporters expressed joy and exhaustion after having campaigned so hard for its approval. “I haven’t slept for a week,” said Doña Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans. “I just think it’s wonderful.” Provisional ballot tallies from precincts 61 and 63 that came in just before 4 p.m. made it mathematically impossible for opponents of the tax to win. The results after the counting of those precincts give supporters a 253-vote lead with about 227 provisional ballots left to consider. They have 8,906 votes, or 50.7 percent, to opponents’ 8,653 votes, or 49.3 percent. Continue Reading

Tax supporters need 16 votes to declare victory

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Spaceport tax supporters need 16 more votes for it to be statistically impossible to lose. The current tally is 8,863 votes, or 50.7 percent, for the tax, and 8,613 votes, or 49.3 percent, opposed. That’s a margin of 250 votes, or 1.6 percent. There are approximately 281 provisional ballots left to be considered. If all count, supporters need 16 more to declare victory. Continue Reading

Tax supporters need 32 more votes, I think

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Apparently my math was wrong before, because I now think tax supporters need 32 votes to win, and supporters think they need 31. Either way, this is just about over. There are currently 8,863 votes, or 50.7 percent, in favor of the tax, and 8,613 votes, or 49.3 percent, opposed. The margin is 250 votes, or 1.6 percent. There are currently 160 provisional votes, or 66 percent, in favor of the tax, and 83, or 34 percent, opposed. Continue Reading

Tax supporters need 52 more votes to win, I think

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Spaceport tax supporters continue to pull ahead as elections workers tally provisional ballots this afternoon. Supporters now have 8,812 votes, or 50.6 percent. Opponents have 8,530 votes, or 49.4 percent. The margin is 282 votes, or 1.2 percent. Provisional ballots now stand at 109, or 60 percent, in support of the tax; 62, or 40 percent, opposed, and 11, or 6 percent, rejected. Continue Reading