A few rogue bars make tougher rules necessary

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More than 150 people showed up to a Thursday hearing in Las Cruces to speak for and against proposed state regulation changes that would make it easier to revoke licenses of bars that serve minors and intoxicated adults. Bar owners and other opponents told the state’s Regulation and Licensing Division that the problem is with people who drink too much, not with the bars that serve drinks, and the state should focus on the drinkers. They said the regulations would cripple family-owned businesses. Opponents included State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, who owns a bar, and State Rep. Joni Gutierrez, whose brother owns a restaurant and bar. Victims of drunken driving accidents and other proponents argued that bars share responsibility when they don’t follow regulations. Continue Reading

Bingaman dodges question about end of Domenici, Richardson truce

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Michael Swickard put Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in a tough spot on his radio show this morning. Swickard asked what Bingaman thought of the recent end to the long-standing truce between Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, and Sen. Pete Domenici, a Republican. Here’s the short version: Richardson believes Domenici was involved in the recent move by the Republican Party to replace his opponent in the gubernatorial race, then J.R. Damron, with fireball John Dendahl. Dendahl has said a Domenici staffer was involved. Because of that, Richardson is actively seeking a Democrat to run against Domenici in two years, and has asked Lieutenant Gov. Diane Denish to consider it. Continue Reading

State wants to crack down on bars that overserve adults and serve minors

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Cracking down on bars that overserve adults and serve minors is the topic of a hearing that starts at 8 a.m. today in Las Cruces. The state wants to make it easier to revoke bars’ licenses when they break those laws, changes the industry says would hurt their ability to do business. If bars were taking care of the problem themselves, tougher regulations wouldn’t be needed. Most are, but some are not. Among those who support the new regulations are the parents of Steve Judd, one of two New Mexico State University students who died during the 2004-2005 school year of alcohol poisoning. Continue Reading

Conversation at Richardson event leads some to believe Hillary isn’t running for president

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The Internet is abuzz with speculation that Hillary Clinton won’t run for president following a conversation at a recent Bill Richardson event. Apparently, longtime Clinton confidant Susan Thomases recently held a meet-and-greet in New York for New Mexico’s governor. According to The New York Observer’s Politicker, two guests claim Thomases said at the event that Clinton isn’t running for president. However, Thomases says that isn’t what she said. Here’s how it allegedly happened: Richardson was “making his big presidential pitch to guests,” the Politcker reported, when he interrupted himself to apologize to Thomases for putting her in an uncomfortable position because of her relationship with Clinton. Continue Reading

Reporter critiques Richardson’s tax-cutting claim

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As part of an ongoing series examining campaign commercials, Steve Terrell of the Santa Fe New Mexican has debunked the efforts of Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign to convince voters that he’s a tax cutter. The article in today’s edition of the newspaper notes that, days after the primary election, Richardson’s commercial’s began. The first commercial touts the governor’s self-declared ability to know “when to say yes, but also when to say no.” “That’s why we got rid of taxes on food and medical services. We cut the capital-gains tax and cut income taxes for every New Mexican. At the same time, we audited every government agency, cut the waste and saved millions, and added to the rainy-day fund.” “Some people said we couldn’t get rid of those taxes. Continue Reading

Plans for Texas spaceport finally revealed

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Though its existence has been much less publicized than that of the Southwest Regional Spaceport at Upham in New Mexico, there’s another spaceport being built a little more than 100 miles away in West Texas. It’s financed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, and being built north of Van Horn, Texas, on private land. That’s why you’ve heard less about it: It’s on private land and being privately financed. But watch out. It’s on schedule to compete with New Mexico’s spaceport. Continue Reading

Declaration of Independence teaches us that democracy requires participation, not excuses

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“Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America, and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men,” John Adams wrote to his wife in 1776. “A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States.” He was, of course, referring to the Declaration of Independence. You know, it’s that little document that proclaimed “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” As we pause to celebrate the founding of our nation, it’s important to examine what’s happening in America today. We’re becoming more polarized. Many are choosing their sides and sticking to them; others are increasingly staying out of the game because they don’t like either side and don’t see another option. Continue Reading

Governor’s campaign tries out podcasting

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Gov. Bill Richardson is trying out a new fad in his re-election campaign: podcasting. You can listen by clicking here to the first podcast posted on his campaign Web site. It includes a 10-minute interview with Richardson and his wife Barbara and another with the man behind The Man, Dave Contarino. For those who don’t know, podcasts are radio (and sometimes video) broadcasts designed to be accessed through the Internet and portable electronic devices. The name comes from Apple’s iPod. Continue Reading

Papen speaks her mind, though it probably upsets the governor

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An article in Sunday’s Albuquerque Journal won’t win Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, any points with the governor, but Papen has always been one to speak her mind. She said she will reintroduce legislation next year that would let people with HMO health insurance appeal the state insurance superintendent’s decisions on coverage disputes to the Public Regulation Commission. The bill easily passed the House and Senate this year, but the governor vetoed it. It was Papen’s comment about why she believes he killed the bill that is certain to irk Gov. Bill Richardson. She said Richardson was a close political ally of then-Insurance Superintendent Eric Serna, who resigned recently amid scandal. Continue Reading

Sen. Garcia collects per diem for meetings she barely attends

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In a posting earlier this week about the proposal to pay legislators, I complained that some lawmakers attend committee meetings just to give quick speeches, collect per diem and leave. I wasn’t planning to name names, until I read an article today in the Albuquerque Journal. Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, collected $26,000 in per diem last year – the most of any legislator in the state. Why? “I take my committees very seriously,” Garcia told the Journal. Continue Reading

Magistrate Garza pays $600 fine a week late

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Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza paid a $600 fine Thursday – a week late – that was part of his discipline for improperly interfering in a case involving a woman with whom he had a personal relationship. Judicial Standards Commission Director Jim Noel confirmed that his office “received a certified check” from Garza Thursday, “although it was a week late.” The commission has filed a notice with the New Mexico Supreme Court indicating that Garza paid up. The commission filed a motion Monday seeking an order to show cause after Garza missed the June 22 deadline. Garza, in a signed filing before the high court, admitted last month to improperly involving himself in a drunken driving case against the woman. He admitted to contacting two other magistrate judges assigned to the case at different times to discuss it with them and, in at least one instance, asked one to set a low bond or no bond. Continue Reading

Pat Lyons’ view: ‘We must find a balance’ between preservation and development of Otero Mesa

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Note: This is a guest column that was solicited from both candidates in the land commissioner race. By Pat LyonsRepublican candidate for commissioner of public lands, and the incumbent Most of the visitors to the area have been sportsmen like me who go to the area to hunt. The few full time occupants are families that have lived in the area for generations and are primarily engaged in cattle ranching. If you scan through the official New Mexico Vacation Guide put out by the New Mexico Tourism Department you will find scant reference to Otero Mesa as a destination for any activity. It is important to digest some history to comprehend the present battle over oil and gas development. Continue Reading

Jim Baca’s view: ‘We must protect this spectacular natural treasure,’ the Otero Mesa

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Note: This is a guest column that was solicited from both candidates in the land commissioner race. By Jim BacaDemocratic candidate for commissioner of public lands, and a former holder of that officeHow valuable is the Otero Mesa to New Mexico’s heritage?Otero Mesa is extremely valuable not only to New Mexico’s natural heritage but also to America’s. Otero Mesa represents the largest and wildest Chihuahuan desert grassland left on public lands in the United States. At 1.2 million acres in size, this vast landscape sustains the life of over 1,000 native wildlife species. Thousands of ancient archeological sites can also be found throughout the volcanic Cornudas Mountains in Otero Mesa as well as across the rolling hills and grasslands.We must protect this spectacular natural treasure for future generations and to enhance our quality of life in New Mexico.For families, hunting, hiking and camping is part of our quality of life in New Mexico. Continue Reading

New LCPS superintendent is already working

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Sonia Diaz believes fate brought her to Las Cruces. The new Las Cruces Public Schools superintendent began work this week, though she doesn’t start getting paid until next week. You can tell by the look in her eyes and the tone in her voice that she is excited. “I’m really hopeful about being here. I believe there’s a purpose for me to be here,” she said. Continue Reading