Richardson agrees to one debate with Dendahl

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Gov. Bill Richardson has agreed to one debate with Republican challenger John Dendahl. The announcement ends weeks of wondering whether Richardson would take part in any debates. Dendahl has repeatedly issued challenges, and two Albuquerque television stations had offered televised debates. Richardson isn’t yet saying when or where the debate will take place, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Asked why he’s only taking part in one debate, Richardson told the New Mexican, “I agreed to one. Continue Reading

First spaceport launch set for Monday

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If all goes as planned, the first launch from Spaceport America will take place Monday morning. Though officials say it could be delayed by as much as 10 hours or postponed to a later date, the first launch of an UP Aerospace rocket carrying 50 scientific and other payloads is set for 7:30 a.m. Members of the public can only view the event by traveling to the spaceport area from Truth or Consequences, not from the Upham exit on Interstate 25 near Las Cruces. Take 3rd Street in T or C, which becomes Highway Route 51, east for approximately 10 miles. You’ll reach roadblocks and will be directed to the viewing area. There will be no food or water provided and, because of possible delays, officials urge those who attend to bring food, water, sunscreen, hats, chairs and blankets. Continue Reading

Richardson wants National Guard status elevated

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Gov. Bill Richardson says the National Guard’s status should be elevated by giving its chief a seat on the Defense Department’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Richardson made his comments Tuesday while speaking at the National Guard’s annual conference in Albuquerque, according to the Air Force Times. “It is a full partner in our national military strategy and it must be given the respect it deserves,” the Times quoted Richardson as saying. “To put it bluntly, our citizen-soldiers deserve a square deal from Washington.” The National Guard Association backs such an elevation in the status of the Guard. Richardson said he “strongly supports” legislation that would do that, according to the Times. Continue Reading

Garza says he won’t resign, took drug test

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Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza says he has decided not to quit and he took a drug test Wednesday in Albuquerque.“I’ve decided I’m going to fight on as usual,” Garza told me. “I’m not going to let them beat me. … I taught my children not to be quitters, and I’m not going to quit myself.”Garza said he expects the results of the hair test for illegal drugs in the next few days. He said he is concerned about paying his bills, now that he has been suspended without pay for at least the next 30 days.“I’m kind of scared right now about my future,” Garza said. “I don’t know how I’m going to pay my house payment at this point.”Garza said he’ll have to make limited use of his attorney.“I’m going to be defending myself. Continue Reading

Two apply for district judgeship

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Two attorneys have applied for the district court vacancy created by the recent death of Silvia Cano-Garcia.The office is up for election on Nov. 7. Democrat Lisa Schultz will face Republican Janetta Hicks.But unless the governor appoints a judge, the position will remain vacant until January. Richardson’s office said two weeks ago it did not know whether he would make an appointment. I have a call in to find out whether that has changed.The list of applicants, released Tuesday, includes Schultz and Republican Rita Nuñez Neumann, who is on the ballot to run for a different district judgeship in November.A judicial nominating commission will interview the applicants beginning at 9 a.m. on Oct. Continue Reading

Garza says he may not comply with high court order to submit to drug test today, may resign

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Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza is considering whether to comply with an order from the New Mexico Supreme Court that he submit to a drug test by the end of the day.Following a hearing Wednesday morning in Santa Fe, the high court suspended Garza for 30 days without pay and ordered him to undergo a hair test for illegal drugs before the end of the business day. Garza said after the hearing that he does not know whether he will do that.“I might,” he said. “… I don’t know whether I want to satisfy their curiosity at this point.”Garza said there is also a possibility he will resign.“I don’t know whether I want to remain a part of this organization any longer. I’m disgusted. It’s unfair,” Garza said.Garza had already been placed on suspension with pay by the high court through Nov. Continue Reading

Denver Post praises Richardson’s diplomacy

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The praise for Gov. Bill Richardson’s diplomatic skills continues. In a weekend editorial, the Denver Post praised Richardson for securing the recent release of journalist Paul Salopek, who was held by the Sudanese government. “No matter what his position, he has shown an undeniable knack for unconventional diplomacy,” the Post editorial states. “It served him well in Washington as a troubleshooter for President Clinton and perhaps could again if he were to return to Washington.” “Whether or not he enters the presidential race, Richardson has demonstrated his ability to tackle tough diplomatic tasks,” the editorial concludes. “It’s a singular record which has won him friends across the world.” Thanks to Live From Silver City for alerting me to the editorial. Continue Reading

Albuquerque City Council approves ‘Kendra’s Law;’ Las Cruces might want to do the same

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The Albuquerque City Council has done what the New Mexico Legislature failed to do last year – create a law allowing judges to order treatment and medication for mentally ill people. The council approved what’s called “Kendra’s Law” Monday night, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Before ordering care, a judge would have to determine whether a mentally ill person is potentially dangerous and meets other criteria, in addition to being in need of treatment, according to the newspaper. “I doubt that this is a 100 percent cure for what happened, but this is a step in the right direction,” Dave Fisher, whose son was shot to death last year, told the Journal. A mentally ill man has been charged in his son’s death. Continue Reading

Politicos trying Web sites that attack opponents

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The newest trend in New Mexico politics seems to be creating Web sites that attack the other side. A couple of weeks ago, the Republican Party of New Mexico revealed New Mexico For Sale, a blog devoted, according to the site, “to exposing and critiquing corruption in our state government. We archive and keep track of articles, police reports and judicial decisions relating to government intimidation, cronyism, extortion, voter fraud, negligence, and media bias. National security is also a great concern to us.” It’s an obviously conservative blog that attacks almost exclusively Democrats, though it did report the news last week that U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, pleaded guilty to corruption charges stemming from the Jack Abramoff scandal. The site draws on other news sources and provides biting commentary about politicos and journalists the Republican Party perceives as acting in a less-than-ethical manner. Continue Reading

Secretary of state wants to hire independent auditor to canvass general election results

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Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron has taken a lot of heat lately for her decision to remove Democrat Jeff Armijo from the auditor race. The Republican Party is still considering a lawsuit challenging her decision. A proposal she made Monday makes a lot of sense in such a politically charged climate. Vigil-Giron wants to hire an outside auditor to prepare the statewide canvass of the Nov. 7 general election returns, according to an article from the Associated Press that you can read via the Albuquerque Journal. Continue Reading

Commissioner decries state-imposed tax increase

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Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley is upset after a vote Monday by the commission to raise property taxes. But he’s not blaming his fellow commissioners who voted for the increase. He blames the state. Each year, using an extremely complicated formula, the state’s Department of Finance and Administration determines the property tax rate for each taxing area throughout the state. The tax rate is different in various areas. Continue Reading

Skeen case set precedent that applies to Balderas’ House seat, secretary of state’s office says

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A 1980 U.S. Supreme Court ruling will keep the Republicans from running a candidate for the New Mexico House seat being vacated by Hector Balderas, the secretary of state’s office says. Balderas withdrew his name from the Northern-New Mexico House race after the Democratic Party placed him on the ballot to run for state auditor. The Republicans attempted to place Roger Gonzales of Mora on the ballot, but their request was denied by the secretary of state’s office. Before Balderas withdrew, he was running unopposed because the Republicans placed no one on the ballot for the primary. A vacancy on the Democratic side does not give the Republicans a second change to field a candidate and “two bites of the apple,” said Ray Baray, spokesman for the secretary of state’s office. Continue Reading

Legislators, ACLU to look into allegations of dangerously poor prison health care

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Legislators, ACLU to look into allegations of dangerously poor prison health care The Santa Fe Reporter detailed last month allegations that the company providing health care in the state’s prisons may have altered records and is providing dangerously poor care to inmates. In an in-depth and investigative series of articles, Dan Frosch of the Reporter pieced together the first comprehensive look at the changes Wexford Health Services, a Pennsylvania-based company, has made since Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration brought in the company to cut costs. In addition to the allegations of possible altering of records, six former employees allege that “Wexford staff improperly doled out prescription drugs to inmates; canceled inmates’ medical appointments because of staff shortages; and, to save money, failed to send sick inmates off-site to hospitals expeditiously,” according to the most recent article. Now, state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, and other legislators plan to take a hard look at the situation. So does the American Civil Liberties Union. Continue Reading

Links to coverage of Wilson’s debate with Madrid

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U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., and her Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid, locked in one of the tightest congressional races in the nation, debated the issues on Sunday. Conservative blogger Mario Burgos recorded the event and plans to put much of it online. Of course, what he’s put online thus far comes complete with his anti-Madrid commentary, but it’s worth checking out if you missed the debate. You should also check out Joe Monahan’s analysis of the debate and coverage from the Albuquerque Journal. Also, a weekend article in the Journal details another huge gift from Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino owner Stan Fulton that could become an issue for Madrid. Continue Reading

Poll: Most say judicial discipline process is fair

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Most who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site believe the state’s judicial discipline process is fair. Of 108 voters, 63, or 58 percent, said the system is fair. 34, or 32 percent, said it is not, and 11, or 10 percent, said they do not know. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Check out the special report on the state’s judicial discipline process by clicking here. Continue Reading