From downtown ABQ comes confirmation from one of our insiders that Democratic Bernalillo County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta has informed her fellow commissioners that she has accepted a job--assistant secretary for water and science in the Interior Department-- with the Obama Administration:

Commissioner Deanna Archuleta informed fellow Commissioners Wednesday at 3 p.m. that she HAD indeed accepted a position with the Interior Dept and would be leaving/resigning from Bernalillo County Govt on April 30th.

Archuleta is the chairwoman of the commission. Her impending resignation clears the way for Big Bill to appoint a replacement for Archuleta. That replacement would finish Archuleta's term which runs through 2010 and would have to decide whether to seek election to the seat next year. Among the names circulating to replace Deanna: Former county commissioners Lenton Malry and Tom Rutherford and AMAFCA flood control board member Danny Hernandez.

ESPINOZA TO EXIT?

Is NM Expo manager Judy Espinoza headed for the exits? One of our Senior alligators says it appears something is in the works. The scenario circulating would have Espinoza, a longtime government fixture, being offered another post while Big Bill fills the Expo slot with new blood. Espinoza's name is among those being floated as a possible replacement for Bernalillo County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta. Last year's state fair took a major attendance hit when the economy tanked.

THE BLOCK FILE

Reaction to the week's big story--the indictment--of Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. and his dad, Jerome Block, Sr. Former ABQ GOP State Rep.Rory Ogle has this angle:

The Democrat liberals--aka Progressives--have been telling us for years that if only we had public financed election we could eliminate political corruption and the influence of money in elections. Wel, l I guess Jerome Block has become the poster child for those of us who have said this will not work and if anything may actually increase political corruption by those who would do anything to cheat the taxpayers.

Can the Legislature impeach this guy?

Yes, Legislature could impeach a PRC commissioner. The Legislature doesn't meet until January, unless there is a special session in the fall which is possible. Something to monitor.

Well, Jerome Block Sr. e-mailed in reaction to that impeachment talk:

Joe: The constitution states, state officers are "liable to impeachment for crimes, misdemeanors and malfeasance in office,.....". The alleged violations occurred before Jerome Jr. took office. What basis would the legislature have for impeachment?!

The statute that the Attorney General is prosecuting under states that if the Secretary of State finds that a candidate violated the act she can "fine the candidate or refer it to the Attorney General". OR not AND. Mary Herrera fined the hell out of Jerome Jr.