One thing became clear as a result of the just concluded hyperactive session of the NM Legislature: New Mexicans have a governor who is a lot like the one they replaced. "What?" you say. "Big Bill like Governor Gary?" Yup. It was Gary who constantly threatened the lawmakers with his veto pen and now it's Big Bill threatening them if they don't pass bills. Both headstrong men eventually prevailed; Johnson by issuing a record number of vetoes; Big Bill by winning, if not record amounts of legislation, certainly many sweeping measures. Ironically, Bill has a reputation as a suave international negotiator, but to get his way with the Legislature he does not negotiate very much. He seems more akin to some of those foreign strongmen he has sugar-talked in years past. Given his negotiating background everyone expected he would be a consensus Guv. But it turns out that Gary's "my way or the highway' philosophy matches perfectly the current chief exec. It wore thin for Gary after eight years, and after three sessions Bill also may be reaching the limits.

The Republicans, seemingly on Sominex for most of the 30 days, turned up the volume the last few, and seem to have muddied the waters enough to deny the Guv any upswing in his polling numbers. His hard-fought battle over the food tax had the R's in full battle cry, winning enough coverage to raise doubts and unite rank and file GOP voters. They can credit Sen. "Lightning Rod" Adair and his sidekick, Rep. Dan Foley, for giving the wake-up call. The bedrock conservatives were out on the limb by themselves all session long until the moderate wing finally picked up the drumbeat. Because of the disorganized way the GOP conducted itself speculation about leadership changes, particularly in the House, is in full swing.

YEAR OF THE THREATS

This will be remembered as anything but "The Year of the Legislature" as Big Bill touted it in his state-of-the-state speech. This was raw executive power being exercised. He threw lobbyists out of his office, threatened a special session, and according to the R's, threatened members of his own party with the withholding of "pork" money for their districts. His not so secret weapon was the election. All 112 lawmakers are up this year. No one wanted to risk too much wrath from the Big Fella, who does not have to face voters and who has the war chest to make their bids more difficult.

Thus, the Guv used up a lot of his political capital to win the day. Gary Johnson did that too, but he did not care about advancing to higher office. In this modern era, the Legislature is easily outgunned by a Guv determined to dominate them via the media. But the decision to throw consensus-building out the window often has a long-term price, and the betting in this corner is that Big Bill may have seen his best days with the Legislature. To his credit, he has gotten mostly everything he wanted so it will be the impact of those measures and whether they start pulling NM out of the 50th in everything rankings, rather than future legislative sessions, that will likely define his success. Like a good basketball team, the Legislature will eventually find out how to work the ball around him. There were signs of that this session. Next time they could be ready for the big leagues.

THE IMPLOSION OF KEN MARTINEZ

Dem State Rep. Ken Martinez of Grants pulled off the political equivalent of Howard Dean's scream this legislative session. And, like Dean, it could haunt him the rest of his political career. Martinez, son of the legendary lawmaker Walter Martinez, was the godfather of the ill-fated ignition interlock bill which would require every car in NM to have a device installed to make sure no one drove drunk. It was one of the biggest political blunders and legislative overreaches seen in New Mexico history.

Martinez was scorned from Cruces to the Colorado line. When it was widely reported that he was a trial lawyer, the derision grew even more fierce as he was accused of using the bill as a smokescreen to avoid true DWI reform. It was a mighty fall for Martinez, who has been touted as a possible future speaker of the house. In days of yore, when these legislative movidas were conducted in a much lower-key atmosphere, he could have limited the damage, but in the hypermedia age you can get scorched alive before you even realize you lit the match. Martinez may survive all right in his hometown, but his political blunder will forever be an obstacle to overcome if he chooses to advance up the political ladder. And to think he's going to introduce it again! Does he have a death wish?

GODBEY'S GOODBYE

The GOP's Seth Heath reports from the Roundhouse that lawmakers were suprised when State Rep. Ron Godbey of ABQ's East Mountain area rose at the end of the session Thursday and announced that due to his wife's ill health he will not seek re-election this year. We reported on the primary challenge Godbey was to receive from Mario Burgos, who lives down the street from Godbey and is associated with the forces of former state GOP chair John Dendahl. Godbey fought bitterly with Dendahl over the years and will try to hand off the seat to Kathy McCoy, a neighborhood activist who has worked for Godbey at the legislature. But his withdrawal could attract a few other contenders as well. We'll keep you posted.

FINAL TAKE

Join me on 770 KKOB-AM Radio Saturday at noon with host Greg Payne for more on the lively legislative session.

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How does the Pete V. Domenici Federal Courthouse sound? Well, you better get used to it because sources in Washington sent us the language authorizing the naming of the building for Pete contained in a recent massive appropriations bill signed into law by the Prez. Here is the one line that will take Pete into posterity. "SEC. 160. (a) DESIGNATION- The United States courthouse located at 333 Lomas Blvd. N.W. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shall be known and designated as the `Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse"

Now this has not been without controversy. A few months ago, when word circulated that Domenici was angling to get the building named after himself, friends of former NM Governor and federal judge Ed Mechem said Ed should get the honor first. After all, they argued, he's already gone, and naming a building after a living person is not the norm. Domenici, who is serving his last term, has not said whether he actually authored the language naming the building for himself, but even his friends like to say Pete is not a guy to underestimate his own abilities. However, since his efforts to pass an energy bill flopped, wags in New Mexico have been calling him "Senator Diminishi." Maybe his name on that nice courthouse will soften such blows coming from the political briar patch Pete has inhabited these many years.

HEIDI'S BRIEF HIATUS

Speaking of Pete & Co., Heidi Fuller, one of his longtime fundraisers, is still apparently on the job. She just sent an e mail under Pete's name soliciting volunteers for the Prez's campaign. Heidi got in the Republican intraparty feud when it was disclosed on this site that she had lost a fundraising contract for the R's when Ramsay Gorham took over as party chair from John Dendahl. Pete was unhappy about that and it's been one of the problems in uniting the party. Maybe Heidi is an example of how the party will eventually unite: everyone gets at least a little piece of the huge election pie being baked by the Bush campaign. I know, you thought it was all about the issues.

INDIAN GAMBLING: A GOOD BET?

Those are pretty slick black and white TV spots you've been seeing touting the benefits of Indian gambling in NM, but where are the facts and figures to show that the state-sanctioned monopoly gambling has made improvements in the living standards of our state's pueblo residents? Despite Indian gambling generating over $14 billion a year in revenue nationally (half a billion here), The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the rate of poverty among Native American's in 2002 was 25%, compared to a national rate of 13%. The unemployment rate for Indians in 2002 was 12.3%, compared to 5.8% overall. Suicide, alcoholism and infant mortality rates for Indians remains way above the general population. Maybe Indian gambling, as we were promised in the 1990's, has made a dent in these stats in our state. But if it has the tribes are not bragging about it in their feel-good TV ads.

IT'S BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

And more from the TV front. Have you seen those NM Health Care Association TV ads that praise Big Bill and the Legislature for working out a compromise on the Medicaid issue? Just a week ago, the association was running ads attacking the Guv and his 'bed tax' and it prompted the Big Guy to throw healthcare lobbyists out of his office and threaten an audit to see if any Medicaid funds were used for the ads. Under a compromise, he demanded these new ads that praise him. do you think the Guv will ask for an audit to see if Medicaid funds were used for them? Don't hold your breath.

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Bradley
The moderate wing of the state Republican Party is pinning its hopes on former Light Guv Walter Bradley who told me Tuesday he will challenge NM GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett for the position at the GOP state convention in June. Bradley, who toyed with the idea of running for the Public Regulation Commission but decided against it, said he is '"fully committed" to taking on Barnett because "I want the job." Bradley, now an assistant state land commissioner, says the race might not turn out to be a showdown between him and Mickey. "I talked to him (Barnett) a couple of months ago and he said he was tired. But I am in the race regardless of what Mickey does."

Mickey may be tired of being Committeeman but it has not stopped him and other allies of former GOP chair Dendahl from fielding candidates against moderate Republicans in the June 1 primary. And that, his detractors say, could be his undoing. Said one high-level Republican: "This fielding of opponents by Mickey has Republicans upset. It really is a loyalty issue and I think it could cost him support."

The unpaid national committeeman serves as the liaison with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would work closely with the President's re-election committee. Barnett and Dendahl have been at odds with current GOP Chair Gorham over what role the state party will play for the Prez, and the Gorham supporters think Bradley in the committeeman post just might put the party back on her track. Gorham is need of a win over the Dendahl forces to assert her primacy. If Barnett backed out of the race and Bradley won that might deprive her of a big win, but she could still claim she is making progress in asserting control. Meanwhile, those conservative primary challengers to incumbent legislators are not going away. If any of them win their primaries the June GOP convention could be a real bruiser.

DATELINE SANTA FE

Romero
It was left to State Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero last night to inject a note of sanity into the even more frenzied than usual closing hours of the Legislature. The ABQ Democrat calmly fielded questions on Big Bill's threat to call the lawmakers into a Special Session if he did not get what he wanted. Romero quietly noted that the major business of this, and any other 30 day session, is to pass a budget. "We will get a budget, and if we have time for a few more bills that would be nice,' said Romero who is leaving the Roundhouse to run against GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson for a second time. But Romero also told KOB-TV's Neil Simon that perhaps a Special would at least give the politicos a chance to slow down and give the remaining legislation the consideration it deserves.

Romero hit the proverbial nail on the head. There is simply too much on the table for a thirty day session. As Romero points out, that's why we have 60 day sessions every other year. The Guv needs a Special because he 'flooded the zone' with so much stuff and wants it all. Makes you wonder if he plans to be around for any of those future sixty day sessions.

THE MEDIA IS TIRED TOO

Pity the poor reporters who have to cover the hyperactivity at the Capitol. One newspaper reported that the capital outlay funds, commonly known as "pork" would henceforth be divided 50-50 between the Guv and the Legislature. Another newspaper reports nothing has changed; that the pork will be divided in thirds--between the house, senate and Guv--as it always has been. What's the truth? "Nothing significant has changed," is the word from my well-informed sources. Legislators hung on to their cut. But it was one of a hundred items getting the Fourth Floor spin at yet another 'news conference' where reporters on deadline fight to make sense of it all.

RYAN'S WORLD

Former state GOP ex. director John Ryan has been in the blog news because of speculation that he might take on state GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham for her senate seat. But Ryan emails to say he wants to quiet the speculation and has no plans to challenge Ramsay, who he met with recently. He told her he would only run if she did not. Ramsay is in, so apparently Ryan, appointed to his old job by John Dendahl, is out--for now.

ALL THE MALOOF'S THAT'S FIT TO PRINT

If you have been around NM politics any time at all, you know about the billionaire Maloof family and their roots in New Mexico. The family is now expanding its business empire and the New York Times Magazine (registration required) does a full-blown feature on the famous clan that contains information even seasoned veterans may not be aware of. Check it out.

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First, let me thank State Rep. Bengie Regensberg for bringing the New Mexico Legislature back to its roots with his wild night of fisticuffs with the State Police who were ordered by the House Speaker to track him down and bring him back to the capitol for a health care vote. As you may have heard, all hell broke loose when the lawmen got into a fight with a Regensberg reluctant to be returned. It ended with the cops putting the rebelling Rep in a headlock.

We New Mexicans cherish our role in the Wild West, and 21st century or not, we're not about to completely let go. The Roundhouse has become too darn businesslike in this politically correct era, but a few characters like Bengie are still around to remind us that NM politics is still a rough sport. Remember the fights at the old Bullring? The comely female 'lobbyists" now vanished? Why, some of these guys even have their families living up in Santa Fe during the session. It's political sacrilege! But just in time Battling Bengie emerges and restores the old image of our fair Legislature as a place of overwhelming machismo; where three fingers of Jack Daniels is the drink of choice, and where the answering machines at the apartments say: "Honey, I'll be working late again."

Well, those were the days. We thought they'd never end. But they did. If only for a moment, Bengie had the hearts of the oldtimers fluttering anew. So Bengie, thanks for the trip through nostalgia. Heck, that state police budget just might be a trimmed a notch in memory of your efforts to bring back those 'glorious' days of yore.

BENGIE TO GET HECTORED

But Bengie's fight has just begun. "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" has the exclusive news that Battling Bengie will have a Democratic primary opponent come June 1. He's 30 year old attorney Hector Balderas. Hector has served as an assistant district attorney in Bernalillo County and now hangs his shingle in the Las Vegas area district he hopes to take away from Regensberg. But it may not be easy. Benjie is already claiming Big Bill is the cause of his problems and was behind the state police incident. The Guv's office dismisses all that as nonsense, but Bengie apparently hopes to frame his primary race with Balderas as a fight against the Big Guy and his forces. Hey, stranger things have worked.

BURPO GOES TURBO

Remember Rob Burpo? Sure you do. The former two-term ABQ NE Heights legislator left the Roundhouse to run for the 02' GOP Guv nomination, only to fall victim to eventual winner John Sanchez. Burpo was none to happy with what he saw as unfair treatment by the forces of then State GOP Chair Dendahl who Burpo says favored Sanchez. That diss still weighs heavy on Rob who tells me is 'leaning toward' taking on fellow Repub and State Rep. Larry Larranaga in the June 1 primary.

Among other things, Burpo points to Larry's support of Patrick Milligan over Brad Winter in the October ABQ election. Milligan, a Dendahlite, came up short against Republican Brad Winter. Burpo represented most of the Larranaga district and believes that gives him a good chance to take the seat back. Larranaga has a reputation for working with both sides of the aisle, but observers say he may have been intimidated into supporting Milligan out of fear the Dendahlites would run a primary opponent against him. Wonder if he thought about opposition from the other side? Larry reportedly has already sent out a mailer in an early bid to line up votes. Burpo is no lighweight so this is going to be another GOP legislative intra-party war to watch. Meanwhile, Milligan emails me to report that Rob may be upset about Larry supprting him, but Burpo also helped him by donating $100.00! Is Burpo burning the political candle at both ends?

CHICKEN ALA CHENEY

What do you get at a $1000.00 lunch? Well, the GOP was not exactly putting on the Ritz for VP Cheney's Monday ABQ lunch appearance. One attendee (yeah, some rich R's read the blog) told me it was literally the 'rubber chicken" circuit with the well-off lunchers dining on lowly poultry as they heard the Veep tout the Prez. However, the humble menu did not stop Cheney from raising $200,000 for the campaign coffers.

LIGHTNING ROD LEADS

There's a bevy of fee and tax hikes in the state budget racing towards final approval. So where are those anti-tax Republicans? Maybe a bit behind the curve as they make for the exits and their re-election bids. But not State Sen. 'Lightning Rod' Adair of Roswell. He emailed his supporters a lengthy analysis of what New Mexicans are about to pay as a result of the session. Lightning Rod, who often swings wildly and misses, has touched a nerve this time. The Trib's Shea Andersen has the Adair budget analysis which is going to help frame the coming campaign debate.

THE BLOG AT UNM

I spent part of President's day as a guest lecturer before UNM Professor Gil St. Clair's long-running New Mexico government affairs class and can report that the young political junkies are more sophisticated than we were. They asked about negative campaigns, why some news stories were on the front page they did not feel belonged there, and why CBS would not air an anti-Bush ad during the Super Bowl. Very refreshing to see that kind of depth, but at the same time a bit disturbing to see that the negativity in politics has stripped away some of the idealism of our young generation. Maybe they will be the ones who will restore the civility clearly lacking in today's political scene. Gil will start a new class this year devoted solely to media and politics, a valued addition to the UNM poly sci effort.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? Email me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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