Richardson has long been ‘good to his friends’

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But does that mean he’s engaging in pay-to-play politics? The governor’s past statements and actions provide insight. Bill Richardson admitted in his autobiography to giving a state job to a man because the man’s father had helped him in a congressional campaign years earlier. And he told a journalist in 2007 that he remembers people who give him campaign contributions and thinks about ways to help them. Under our laws, there’s not necessarily anything wrong with that. Continue Reading

Articles delve further into GRIPgate

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Several news articles from the last few days shed new light on the pay-to-play allegations swirling around Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration. The first, from Bloomberg, reveals that the federal grand jury investigating the allegations issued a subpoena on Sept. 22 of last year to the governor’s office seeking communication between the governor’s office and companies tied to the investigation. It’s no surprise that the subpoena was issued. What is interesting is that it was done in September. Continue Reading

Voters in poll: domestic partner benefits will be OK’d

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site predicted that the New Mexico Legislature will approve a bill this year this year that would allow domestic partner benefits. Of 200 voters, 105, or 53 percent, predicted that will happen, while 84, or 42 percent, said it will not. Meanwhile, 11, or 6 percent, said they don’t know. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Radio station to webcast audio from Legislature

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A radio station is planning a new public service to help increase access to the business of the New Mexico Legislature. Jim Williams, news director for KUNM 89.9-FM, says his station plans to begin webcasting audio from the Legislature on Tuesday. While the station will focus primarily on the Senate, it plans to switch to webcasting audio from the House floor “when there are important or contentious debates there,” Williams said. The plan, he said, is to webcast “as much as we can, potentially ‘round the clock.” KUNM didn’t seek or need to seek permission. Media outlets have access to audio feeds from the floors of the House and Senate that they can tap into at any time. Continue Reading

Dragging the Legislature into the 21st Century

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Rep. Arnold-Jones plans to revolt against legislative leaders by broadcasting her committee meetings online. State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones certainly isn’t the first lawmaker in New Mexico to push for webcasting of legislative proceedings, but she’s the one with the most original idea yet to make it happen. Arnold-Jones, an Albuquerque Republican, bought a webcam and set up her own Web site that will allow her to stream live video and audio over the Internet from the two committees on which she sits — Taxation and Revenue and Voters and Elections. You can visit the Web site by clicking here. She plans to begin broadcasting online when both committees meet for the first time — tax and revenue Monday at 1:30 p.m. and voters and elections Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. The only remaining question is whether legislative leaders, including House Speaker Ben Lujan, will try to stop her. Continue Reading

Close relative of two state lawmakers dies

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There’s a rosary this evening for George R. Garcia, who died Sunday following a lengthy illness, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News. Garcia, the husband of state Rep. Mary Helen Garcia and uncle of Rep. Joseph Cervantes, was also himself an active politico. When John Edwards visited Mesilla as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004, the party chose Garcia to meet Edwards and shake his hand in front of the media as Edwards stepped off an airplane at the Las Cruces International Airport. The rosary will be held at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Las Cruces. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the cathedral and officiated by Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, head of the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. Continue Reading

Kilmer sounds confident about 2010 chances

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Val Kilmer is sounding quite confident in his most recent comments about his potential run for governor of New Mexico, like he believes the job is his — if he decides he wants it.“There are a lot of actors who become politicians,” Kilmer said on Tuesday, citing Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood and Arnold Schwarzenegger as examples. “And they always win, so I guess we’ll see.” Kilmer was speaking to the Boston Globe at an inauguration party in Washington. The actor, who lives on a ranch near Pecos, has been openly considering running for governor in 2010. He’s been registered but never voted in New Mexico, and only recently became a Democrat, but his entry into the 2010 primary would shift the dynamic that currently favors Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. On the Republican side, former U.S. Reps. Continue Reading

Obama moved quickly to halt guv’s nomination

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Nine hours. That’s how long it took Barack Obama’s transition team to ensure that Bill Richardson was stripped of the title of “commerce secretary-designate” once it became fully aware that a federal grand jury investigation into Richardson’s administration in New Mexico might be a problem, according to an article in the New York Times. “We saw the problem, understood it, Bill understood it wasn’t viable, and we stopped it,” John Podesta, co-chairman of Obama’s transition team, was quoted by the newspaper as saying. Podesta refused to talk about how the decision to pull Richardson’s nomination was made. Obama and Richardson have both insisted that it was Richardson’s decision, but there’s been a dispute between their two camps about whether Richardson disclosed the seriousness of the investigation to Obama and his transition team before Obama decided to nominate the New Mexico governor for the job. Continue Reading

Politicos comment on Obama’s inauguration

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This article has been updated. Here are some comments about the inauguration of President Barack Obama from New Mexico politicos.From 1st Congressional District Rep. Martin Heinrich: “What an incredible day for all Americans! Having just witnessed the inauguration of President Barack Obama, I am filled with a tremendous sense of hope, patriotism and pride,” he said in a statement released by his office. “I look forward to working with President Obama to renew America’s promise. Our times are certainly challenging, but I am confident that together we can overcome any obstacle to move this great nation forward and achieve the change our constituents asked for and deserve.” From 2nd Congressional District Rep. Harry Teague: “Today I witnessed the historic swearing in of President Barack Obama,” he said. Continue Reading

A quick joke, then guv gets down to business

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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. Continue Reading

Lujan praises Obama, talks about economy, ethics

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Ben Lujan, speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, had a lot of praise for new President Barack Obama in a speech this afternoon, and he also spoke about the state’s economic situation and the need for ethics reform.Lujan devoted a great deal of his speech, which he gave shortly after being re-elected speaker on a party-line vote, repeating lines from the inaugural address Obama gave earlier today and praising the president’s policy proposals. Lujan’s re-election to the speaker position was expected. In his speech, Lujan also highlighted the state’s struggling economy, but he said the state is “not affected in the same degree as other parts in the country.” Still, Lujan said, the Legislature “must be prudent and fiscally responsible while being cognizant that we are working in a very fragile circumstance.” Referring only briefly to the cloud of controversy that is currently hanging over the Richardson administration and Santa Fe, Lujan said he looks forward to working with the governor, attorney general and others “to strengthen our resolve” in the area of ethics. “Trust and confidence and integrity are the cornerstones… of our democracy,” Lujan said. Continue Reading

Senate keeps Jennings as pro tem

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This article has been updated. The New Mexico Senate opted today to keep Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, as its president pro tem and continue being a strong check on the governor’s power.On a vote of 23-19, Jennings defeated Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, for the leadership position. Though Jennings is keeping a job he’s already been holding, his victory also represents a revolt against his caucus, which voted late last year to nominate Cisneros to replace Jennings. Jennings won today with a coalition of Republicans and Democrats. Under that collation, the Senate has been the only real check on the governor’s power in Santa Fe, and many had characterized the leadership battle as a choice between continuing along that path or becoming friendlier to Bill Richardson and his agenda.Update, 1 p.m. The Democrats who sided with Republicans to keep Jennings as pro tem were Jennings, Linda Lopez, Linda Lovejoy, Howie Morales, George Muñoz, Mary Kay Papen, John Sapien and John Arthur Smith.Update, 1:25 p.m. “While there might be a little divide, that’s over. Continue Reading

It’s official: Obama is president

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This article has been updated. With the words, “I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear…” moments ago, the new president of the United States put an end to the Bush era and formally began a new period in which he has promised to end the Iraq war, repair a sinking economy and change the way Washington does business.“My fellow Americans, I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you’ve bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices born by our ancestors,” Obama told a crowd of millions of people in Washington and tens of millions more on television, radio and the Internet shortly after being sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serous and they are many,” Obama said. “… But know this America — they will be met. Continue Reading

NM Senate leadership fight to be decided today

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Will the Senate continue to be a thorn in the governor’s side or become more amenable to his agenda? The race between Jennings and Cisneros is too close to call.When the state Legislature convenes today, senators will decide whether to continue following a bipartisan coalition that has been the only real check on the governor’s power or take a new direction under leadership many believe will be friendlier to Bill Richardson and his agenda. Supporters of keeping Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, as Senate president pro tem say their coalition, which consists largely of Republicans and conservative Democrats, is a necessary check on Richardson, especially in a year in which lawmakers have to make dramatic cuts to the state budget. Supporters of replacing Jennings with Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, are looking to take advantage of progressive gains in the Senate and the current left-leaning mood of the nation to move their agenda forward. In a number of interviews conducted in the last few days, Jennings and many of his supporters said he has the edge going into today’s vote, while Cisneros and his supporters made the same claim about Cisneros. Continue Reading