Tuesday, January 16, 2007"The Presidential Session" Kicks Off And Another Big Cookie Jar Awaits; We Have Your Legislative Preview, Plus: More On U.S. Attorney For NM![]() As for the session, the agenda sent down by the Governor reads like a presidential platform, not that the Democratic dominated Roundhouse is in major disagreement on his priorities which, if accepted, will mean a whopping 11 percent increase in the state budget. Has there ever been a luckier Governor? It's year after year of huge surpluses brought about by the bull market in oil and natural gas prices. And the Guv wants more emphasis on "renewable energy?" Sure, just not while he's warming the big chair on the Fourth Floor. After four years of unheard of spending, Mr.& Mrs. New Mexico are starting to ask: "Show me the results." On Election Night on KANW 89.1 FM, State Senator James Taylor (D-Bernalillo) and I had a vigorous discussion on accountability, with Taylor arguing the Legislature is indeed holding the bureaucracy's feet to the fire. But I parted company with him and have since found an ally in Santa Fe State Rep. and Legislative Finance Committee Chairman Lucky Varela who says it is high time agencies coming back for double digit increases show how they are meeting performance standards and, if not, why not? Hey, isn't that the least we can ask from a $5.7 billion budget? OTHER ENTERTAINMENT Sen. Griego ![]() State Senator Phil Griego is your key player. As new chair of the Conservation Committee, he can kill the deal and has notched up the rhetoric against a state cockfighting ban. (Many counties already outlaw the fights.) But some Alligators see that as a ploy to satisfy the segment of his constituency that still enjoys the blood sport, while behind-the-scenes Phil cuts a deal with his buddy Big Bill. And he is his buddy. Remember a few years back when Bill went North with Phil and introduced him as "the next majority leader?" Well, Big Bill was premature on that one and so were the pundits. Michael Sanchez of Belen became your senate leader, not Phil. But the ardor between the Guv and Griego has not cooled and the smart money, if not betting that a cockfighting ban will win, are lowering the odds on its defeat. Same story for the minimum wage which went down in flames in the final moments of Legislature '06 as southern Dem conservative senators rebelled. Probably not this time, not with an "agricultural exemption" carved into the bill. And there's momentum, with both ABQ and Santa Fe having minimums and the U.S. House just passing a bill. The vast majority of Dem lawmakers should want on that bandwagon for their '08 re-elections. AND THE R'S? Leader Taylor ![]() The R's missed an opportunity by not making more pre-legislative noise. They've been criticized for joining the Dems in pigging out on the pork. But with the public mood subtly changing for accountability, they have another opportunity to make themselves relevant. For now, its the fiscally conservative senate Dems, who have taken on what is traditionally the Republican role. The House Democratic powerhouses, Speaker Ben Lujan of Santa Fe and Majority Leader Kenny Martinez of Grants, have a relationship as frosty as our unusually cold January weather, but Lujan's impressive December victory over Martinez's challenge for the speaker's gavel puts to rest any further talk of coups, if not some quiet retribution (and rewarding) by Lujan. All in all, good news for the Guv who might want to give Lujan a chapter in the book he writes about his governorship. He might call it: "The Right-Hand Man." STATE OF THE STATE Many of you are government employees and are discouraged from indulging in our beloved La Politica at your workplace, but we don't think your superiors, especially if you are a state employee, will mind if you jump to the Internet about 12:30 p.m today to take in Big Bill's State of the State address live from Santa Fe. Besides, it's probably your lunch hour. ON THE FED FRONT ![]() All this has to set off alarm bells in the camp of Jim Bibb, the unsuccessful GOP candidate for attorney general who made Senator Domenici's list for our U.S. attorney slot. Of the three left on that list, he is the only politician. Send your news, comments and press releases via email from the link at the top of the page, and stop by again soon. (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2007 Not for reproduction without permission of the author |
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