Richardson to campaign in six states in six days

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Gov. Bill Richardson will be all over the nation this week as he raises money and gives speeches. He is in San Francisco and Palo Alto, Calif., today to raise money, and also met this afternoon with employees of Google in Mountain View, Calif. On Tuesday, he’ll attend a fundraiser in Portland, Ore., and on Wednesday, he’ll raise money in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, he’ll give a speech about energy policy to the New America Foundation in the nation’s capital before heading to Shreveport, La., for a fundraiser. On Friday, Richardson will raise money in Omaha, Neb., and give a speech to the Young Democrats of America convention. On Saturday, he returns to what has been his favorite state lately – Iowa – and will spend the day at a number of house parties and other functions. Continue Reading

State health secretary leaving job to run for office

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Michelle Lujan Grisham is leaving her job as health secretary is pursue an “opportunity involving elected office,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. The Democrat lives in Albuquerque, so it’s fair to guess that she might be jumping into the race against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said Grisham “is deciding that.” “She’s got a lot of different options,” said spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer. “I think she’s leaving all of her options open.” Since there are no statewide offices open in 2008, it’s hard to believe a cabinet secretary would be dropping such a prestigious job for a run at any office other than U.S. representative or senator. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., is also up for re-election next year, and the Democratic Party has had a hard time finding any known candidate to challenge him. Replacing Grisham on June 11 will be Dr. Alfredo Vigil, CEO for El Centro Family Health, a non-profit primary care organization in Northern New Mexico, according to the news release. Continue Reading

Sheriff probes mysterious donation to Richardson

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A state judge in Waco, Texas, wants to know why someone gave $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Gov. Bill Richardson, ostensibly in his name. District Judge Matt Johnson was asked by a friend about a $2,300 donation to Richardson last week, after the local newspaper listed local residents who had given to presidential candidates. Johnson was quick to point out that the newspaper stated the gift was from a Matt Johnston, with a “t,” and wasn’t him, according to an article published Sunday in the Waco Tribune-Herald. But the Republican judge kept getting calls all week, and he became concerned because the judicial code of conduct prohibits judges from publicly endorsing candidates. He wanted people to know he hadn’t given Richardson any money. Continue Reading

Newspaper takes comprehensive look at growth

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The Las Cruces Sun-News began on Sunday a five-part series examining the community’s rapid growth. The first two articles have been well-written, and the series appears to be a comprehensive look at the controversial topic. It comes in advance of next week’s vote by the Las Cruces City Council on whether to approve The Vistas at Presidio. On Sunday, the Sun-News ran an article looking at the bigger picture of growth – what’s happening and why, and whether the growth is good. Today, the newspaper examined the question of whether there’s enough water to sustain the city’s expansion. Continue Reading

Richardson cracks jokes, looks tired on Tonight Show

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Gov. Bill Richardson appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday night looking a bit tired but managing to crack a few jokes that drew laughter. Richardson got a laugh out of Leno when he responded to a question about his heritage. “My mother only spoke Spanish to me. She was Mexican,” Richardson said. “My father, he wouldn’t speak to me, but when he did, he would speak English. Continue Reading

Voters in non-scientific poll not happy with Domenici

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site disapprove of the job Pete Domenici is doing as a U.S. senator. Of 149 voters, 92, or 62 percent, said they disapprove, while 49, or 33 percent, said they approve. Eight, or 5 percent, said they’re not sure whether they approve of the job Domenici is doing. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

NMSU steps into gray area by letting secret donors help pay salaries of president and basketball coach

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By using private money to supplement the salaries of its president and men’s basketball coach, New Mexico State University is stepping into an ethical gray area, and its leaders should tread carefully. On Thursday, the university announced a restructuring of men’s basketball coach Reggie Theus’ contract that increases his annual compensation to $446,000 per year. It’s a $100,000 increase that is donated entirely by the private sector. Theus or his new employer will have to pay about $1 million to buy out the contract if he doesn’t stay for two more years. Then today, the university Board of Regents approved a contract restructuring for President Michael Martin. Continue Reading

State’s higher education secretary quitting post

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Higher Education Secretary Beverlee J. McClure is leaving to take the position of president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry. She’ll begin her new job in June, and the governor plans to appoint a search committee to find a replacement. Former New Mexico State University Provost Bill Flores was recently named deputy secretary of higher education, but he’s intent on staying in Las Cruces and may not be interested in the department’s top job in Santa Fe. “New Mexico is fortunate to have someone of Dr. McClure’s stature and experience,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a news release. “I know that ACI will benefit from Beverlee’s leadership and I look forward to working with her in her new role. Continue Reading

UP Aerospace still searching for rocket

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The fact that UP Aerospace officials have been unable to locate the rocket they successfully launched into space on April 28 is gaining national attention. There was international interest in the historic launch from Spaceport America. But the rocket came down in rocky terrain covered in dense vegetation, and the area is not easily accessible. Since then, officials have been working to locate the rocket, and they say they’re within 1,300 feet of finding it. FOX News headlined its article on the topic “James ‘Scotty’ Doohan’s ashes lost in New Mexico mountains,” in reference to the Star Trek actor whose ashes were among those of 200 people that went into space on the rocket. Continue Reading

NMSU probe started broad, has become more focused

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Though investigators have scrutinized hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures as part of the probe of employees of New Mexico State University’s facilities department, they are now focused on a number of smaller construction projects at staffers’ homes. I reported earlier today that investigators suspected the potential loss could be hundreds of thousands of dollars but might be much smaller. I’m now told by two sources with knowledge of the investigation that it is likely smaller, and that investigators began by looking at a wide range of expenditures in an attempt to be thorough. There have certainly been rumors about misuse of time and equipment at the facilities department for years that would justify a broad probe. Though knowledge of the probe became public on Thursday, it’s been ongoing for several weeks, and has included the university police, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department, FBI and financial auditors. Continue Reading

3 police agencies, auditors working on NMSU probe

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New Mexico State University confirmed late Thursday that it placed five employees of the facilities department on leave during an ongoing investigation into alleged misuse of funds and resources. The university released a statement confirming that one of the employees was Richard MacRorie, associate vice president of facilities for planning, physical resources and university relations. The news release stated that he was placed on leave not because he was accused of misusing funds, but “to ensure the investigation would be as effective as possible.” MacRorie has returned to work. Meanwhile, two sources with knowledge of the situation say investigators are looking into a number of issues related to the potential abuse of university funds and resources. Some allegations involve the use of facilities department resources on personal construction projects at employees’ homes. Continue Reading

FBI confirms involvement in NMSU facilities probe

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The FBI has confirmed that it’s assisting New Mexico State University police in the probe of allegations that facilities employees were using public funds and resources for personal construction projects on their homes. “We are providing investigative assistance to the NMSU police and NMSU with regards to that investigation,” said FBI spokesman Bill Elwell. He referred all other questions to university police, who are leading the investigation. Continue Reading

Police reporting directly to Martin on facilities probe

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Police investigators looking into the alleged misuse of funds and resources by employees of New Mexico State University’s facilities department will report to President Michael Martin to ensure the integrity of the investigation. The university police department is under Ben Woods, senior vice president for planning, physical resources and university relations. Woods also oversees the Office of Facilities and Services, which police are investigating. Martin said “the people who came forward” with allegations reported them directly to him. Because of that, and to ensure the integrity of the investigation, the president said he decided to have police report to him instead of Woods. Continue Reading