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Legislators’ criticism of Judicial Standards Commission doesn’t tell the whole story

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Two legislators criticized the Judicial Standards Commission at Thursday’s committee meeting in Las Cruces because they said its actions have made judges afraid to be in a courtroom while their children deal with speeding tickets. State reps. Ken Martinez, D-Grants, and Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, both made comments referencing the case of former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Susana Chaparro, who resigned earlier this year as part of an agreement with the Judicial Standards Commission. Chaparro was disciplined in 2005 by the state Supreme Court for improperly involving herself in her adult son’s traffic case. “For heaven’s sake, a judge doesn’t stop being a parent, but now they’re afraid to go sit in court if their kid gets a speeding ticket,” Martinez said. Continue Reading

Candid discussion on Judicial Standards Commission includes criticism and suggested changes

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This is the fourth in a series of articles running this week that will examine whether the judicial discipline process is fair to judges accused of misconduct. For additional articles and more information, visit the home page for this special report by clicking here. Two attorneys and a judge criticized the judicial discipline process and suggested changes to improve the system during a candid legislative committee hearing Thursday in Las Cruces. Several members of the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee expressed concern about aspects of the process for disciplining misbehaving judges, and said the discussion was productive and would help improve the system. The discussion included more than two hours of blunt and, at times, tense debate about the current system and the Judicial Standards Commission, the state body charged with holding judges accountable to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Continue Reading

Kissling ad attacks Pearce as a big spender

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I wrote last week about Steve Pearce’s ad attacking his challenger in this year’s congressional race as “bizarre.” Democrat Al Kissling has unveiled his own ad attacking the Republican congressman from Southern New Mexico. It’s short, sweet and to the point. He accuses Pearce of voting 96 percent in favor of the “borrow and binge” policies of the Bush Administration and Republican-controlled Congress, and of increasing the national debt. We’ll see whether these ads make any dent in Pearce’s massive lead in the race. Continue Reading

Richardson campaign touts Salopek release

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Gov. Bill Richardson’s re-election campaign has put together a special Web page touting his successful mission to secure the release of American journalist Paul Salopek. The site uses the phrase “We got him!” It includes links to select articles about the mission. In addition, it includes a Podcast in which Salopek and his wife Linda Lynch talk about the experience. Salopek says he and his two companions were excited when they learned Richardson would try to intervene on their behalf. “It raised our spirits,” Salopek says. Continue Reading

Politics of auditor snafu create a dangerous new precedent and will discourage some voters

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It appears politics beat the law in the battle over whether Jeff Armijo would be the Democrats’ candidate for state auditor. I’m not saying Armijo would have won. But we’ll never know, and the action taken by the secretary of state to remove Armijo from the ballot sets a new precedent that remains unchallenged. It’s a dangerous precedent, and one that discourages Democrats and Republicans from being independent of their party’s platform and marching orders. Armijo is under investigation for allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a campaign volunteer. Continue Reading

Bill aimed at killing off-reservation casino proposals dies in House vote

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A House bill touted by opponents of the Anthony casino proposal as its “possible death blow” died on the House floor Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., passed the House 247-171, but a two-thirds majority was required, so the measure died. Its aim was to put an end to most off-reservation casino proposals. The Anthony proposal’s developers, the Jemez Pueblo and Santa Fe art dealer Gerald Peters, said in a news release that the bill’s death has little impact on their proposal. The bill contained a grandfather clause that applied to tribes with historical ties to the areas they wanted to develop. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: Tornado warning for Las Cruces

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There is a massive storm headed for Las Cruces and a tornado was spotted. As of right now, the Las Cruces Public Schools are keeping students at the schools for now. New Mexico State University has sent out an alert but not cancelled classes. Interstate 10 is closed between Deming and Las Cruces. Get updated weather information from CrucesNews.com by clicking here. Continue Reading

Garza prepares to plead case before high court

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Suspended Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza is meeting with an attorney this afternoon as he prepares for a hearing next week before the state Supreme Court. Garza would not name the attorney. “I may not hire an attorney,” Garza said. “I may consult with one only.” He said he has spent the last couple of weeks buried in paperwork as he prepares to argue against sanctions and that the Judicial Standards Commission has not been fair in its dealings with him. However, he said he will accept whatever decision the court makes. Continue Reading

Quotes from Armijo news conference

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Here are some quotes from the press conference at which Jeff Armijo announced he is quitting his bid to remain the Democrat’s candidate for state auditor: Said Armijo: “Out of my profound respect for Speaker Lujan I have concluded that, in the interest of many wonderful New Mexicans, that I will not seek the office of state auditor. I was elected fair and square by 62 percent of the Democratic Primary voters, and my fight to protect ordinary New Mexicans will never end. Although I still feel that I am the candidate for state auditor, my meager resources cannot match the mighty powers and resources of big government and powerful politicians.” Said Speaker of the House Ben Lujan: “Pride can sometimes get in the way of making important decisions that impact us, our friends and our families. Today, Jeff has shown that he can set aside his pride and put his love and compassion for the people of this state before his self interest.” Said state Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim: “We’ve always felt that our legal disagreements with Jeff Armijo were, ultimately, minor ones between members of the Democratic family. Often, the hardest people with whom to resolve differences are those to whom we are closest. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: Armijo quits, this time for good

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Jeff Armijo announced this morning that he is dropping his fight to remain the Democratic Party’s candidate for state auditor. State Rep. Hector Balderas of Wagon Mound will replace him on the ballot. Joining Armijo at a news conference in Albuquerque were Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim and Speaker of the House Ben Lujan. The deal was apparently brokered by Lujan. “Out of my profound respect for Speaker Lujan, I have concluded that in the interest of my wonderful fellow New Mexicans that I will not seek the office of state auditor,” Armijo said at the news conference, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. Continue Reading

Scrutiny might change judicial discipline process

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This is the third in a series of articles running this week that will examine whether the judicial discipline process is fair to judges accused of misconduct. For additional articles and more information, visit the home page for this special report by clicking here. The increase in the Judicial Standards Commission’s funding and activity has led to scrutiny that could result in changes to the system for holding judges accountable to the Code of Judicial Conduct. State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces and co-chair of the Legislative Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, said recent events raise questions about the function and authority of the commission, and he believes it’s time to examine the situation. The committee, which he co-chairs, will discuss the matter at a meeting Thursday afternoon in Las Cruces. Continue Reading

Armijo hearing set for Wednesday morning

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A hearing has been set for Wednesday morning on the matter of whether Jeff Armijo will remain the Democrat’s candidate for state auditor on the General Election ballot. Last week, the Democratic Party and Armijo both filed lawsuits, and hearings on both were held Tuesday. (Read Armijo’s lawsuit by clicking here and the Democratic Party’s by clicking here.) At a hearing held at 9 a.m. in Albuquerque, District Judge Ted Baca ordered the secretary of state’s office to delay printing ballots until the matter is resolved, said Armijo’s attorney, Paul M. Kienzle. “It’s put on hold for now,” he said. Then, at a hearing at 3 p.m. in Santa Fe, District Judge Tim Garcia decided that he, not Baca, will be the judge to hear the matter from now on because the Democratic Party’s lawsuit in his court was filed first. Continue Reading

Attorney to speak about political ad laws

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A media attorney will discuss the laws regarding political advertising at a luncheon tomorrow in Las Cruces. Attorney Hal Simmons, who works with the New Mexico Broadcasters and the New Mexico Press associations, will speak about the rules, regulations and legal requirements for political advertising in newspapers and on television and radio. He will also talk about financial disclosures and the rules regarding what can be said in advertisements. The luncheon is $12 for members and NMSU students and $15 for guests. Members of the public are invited to attend. Continue Reading

Richardson’s campaign to blog on nation’s gubernatorial races

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Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign is the new sponsor for the Governor’s Forecast on MyDD (direct democracy), a left-leaning Web site that analyzes national politics. What does that mean? According to a posting on the site, Richardson’s campaign will “have weekly front-page posts (on the site) to discuss governor’s races around the nation. As head of the Democratic Governor’s Association, this is something that Governor Richardson is particularly well-suited to do.” This means the Democratic Party is looking to Richardson’s campaign to keep Democrats updated on what’s happening with gubernatorial races across the nation. The Governor’s Forecast on the site details the governor positions that are up for grabs, which are likely to go blue and which will likely go red. Continue Reading