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Thinking about how far we’ve come

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By U.S. Rep. Harry Teague Yesterday, when I blogged about the excitement of the high school kids I met from Deming, I never could have imagined how magnified that feeling would be today. Throughout the morning, the crowds were full of excitement and hope. Although it was bitterly cold and the long lines were unending, people stayed upbeat, patient and enthusiastic. When I took my seat near where Barack Obama would soon be sworn in as our next president, I could see that the crowd filled up the entire National Mall — from the Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument. The determination of the crowds today was unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I believe it is representative of the character of our nation. 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

A contagious excitement about what lies ahead

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This is the first of a handful of guest blogs that will run in the next few days related to the inauguration events in Washington, D.C.By U.S. Rep. Harry Teague I remember in sixth grade, my government teacher brought a little black and white television into the cafeteria, and we all huddled around to watch John F. Kennedy’s swearing in. Back then, just to be able to watch the ceremony on screen was a great privilege, and television was a relatively new thing. Washington, D.C. and Hobbs, N.M. felt like they were a world apart. I was lucky enough to be able to see and hear a part of a nation inaugurating a president, but the idea of actually standing in front of the U.S. Capitol for the event did not even cross my mind. One of my favorite things to do, always as a parent and now as a member of Congress, is giving generations younger than mine opportunities I never had. Continue Reading

Time to start living within our means

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By Tom Taylor and Keith GardnerAfter the economic crisis occurred last fall, many New Mexicans have learned a valuable lesson — that they can no longer spend every last dollar from their paychecks. All of us have come to realize that we must pay our bills, but we also put away something in the savings account in case times get tough. Tough times are now here. For the last six years, Governor Richardson and the Democratic-controlled Legislature refused to stop their spending spree. Now we must deal with the consequences. Continue Reading

Donors giving to guv’s nonprofit in secret

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We’ve all spent time reading (or on the case of many journalists, writing) about the money that flowed from campaign contributors to Gov. Bill Richardson in the last few years, and the (coincidental or not) awarding of state contracts to those contributors, often around the same time the contributions were made.But I didn’t know until I read about it on Sunday in the Albuquerque Journal that the governor had also set up a way for donors to give money to a cause of his without the public ever knowing it. In an article you can read by clicking here, the Journal’s Colleen Heild reports on the Moving America Forward Foundation, a nonprofit formed by Richardson that has taken in at least $1.7 million in donations and doesn’t have to tell us who gave any of it. Who are the donors? Do any of them do business with the state? We don’t really know. Continue Reading

PERA in perspective

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By Carter Bundy The N.M. Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) just voted to introduce legislation to significantly reduce benefits in New Mexico’s public employee retirement plans (PERA). This is one of the least understood subjects in the state, yet affects tens of thousands of New Mexican families and retirees and impacts local economies in every corner of the state. As a background to the current discussion, we should remember that just four months ago, PERA was in excellent shape. PERA, like any good pension fund, works with a 30- or 50-year horizon. Since mid-September, however, PERA’s investments have been hit hard, and that is driving understandably strong fears about future solvency. Continue Reading

Voters in poll: Probes don’t increase hope for reform

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site don’t believe that current corruption investigations plaguing state government increase the chance that the 2009 Legislature will approve significant ethics reform. Of 197 voters, 115, or 58 percent, said the investigations do not increase the chances for ethics reform, while 71, or 36 percent, said they do, and 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

Guv picks attorney to fill state House vacancy

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This article has been updated. Zachary J. Cook is the new representative for District 56 in the state House. Gov. Bill Richardson announced his appointment today of the Republican Cook to replace the GOP’s Dub Williams, who retired earlier this week due to health reasons. District 56 includes portions of Lincoln and Otero Counties. On the recommendation of Williams, the county commissions in both counties nominated Cook to replace the retiring representative. Continue Reading

Guv appoints Arrieta to Las Cruces district court

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Las Cruces attorney Manuel Arrieta is the state’s newest district judge. Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Arrieta today to the Third Judicial District Court in Doña Ana County. He replaces Robert E. Robles, who Richardson recently appointed to the state appellate court. Robles is already serving on the higher court, so Arrieta’s appointment to the bench is effective immediately. “Mannie is a native of southern New Mexico, and his experience and commitment to the community will be an asset to the bench; he is well respected,” Richardson said in a news release. Continue Reading

MLK’s dream that we get beyond racism

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© 2009 by Michael Swickard, Ph.D.What is racism? I believe it is using race in any way. There are no good ways to use race. Monday is the federal holiday to celebrate the 80th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. His was a life spent bringing an end to racism in our world. He gave us the thoughts we, as a society, needed then and now to do the right things. Continue Reading