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Friday, May 27, 2011Friday Clippings From My Newsroom Floor: What Newspaper Are You Reading? Plus: Here Comes Summer Headed into the long weekend and we see this on our newsroom floor:1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country. 2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country. 3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles. 4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts. COMPETING WITH SUSANA With the formation of Susana-PAC, the Guv's personal committee that will raise money to oust targeted legislators, the question arises of what the Dems will do in response. Will the state Senate and Dem leadership could look at forming their own PAC to compete directly with Susana? Some of the legislative leaders already have their own PACS from which they dole out money to legislators, but with the Governor now directly challenging them, they may look at raising money and hiring consultants of their own for an "Anti-Susana PAC." Or if they don't, maybe organized labor which has so much at stake? GETTING CLOSER It's still not from the horse's mouth, but Spaceport boosters are thankful for any optimistic words from the Governor's office. The AP reports "She is eager for the spaceport to be successful and bring great returns to our state," a spokesman said, pointing to the project's economic and educational potential. We need executive leadership for this undertaking. Martinez is inching closer. Maybe when her memory of Big Bill fades some more, she will be ready to assume ownership. If she does, we don't think she'll regret it. BERRY'S BUDGET Mayor Berry can take a Memorial Day breather. City tax revenues have stabilized from the recession/depression resulting in this action from the 11th floor: Mayor Berry signed the City of Albuquerque’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget into law. The FY12 budget does not raise taxes or fees, it builds reserves and keeps services to the community in tact while avoiding layoffs and furloughs of city employees. The budget also includes a modest pay increase for the majority of city employees. “The budget reflects a three percent reduction in the size of government compared to last year while still maintaining quality basic services to our residents,” Mayor Berry said. "I was pleased that we were able to restore funding for critical positions in Animal Welfare, Senior Affairs and our library system among others during the adoption of the final budget." There are questions about what bond projects Berry wants to pursue with a small surplus that the city is projected to run in the next budget year, but the Mayor, his budget team and the city council have kept their eye on the budget ball. They deserve some credit. HERE COMES SUMMER Just what you've been waiting for. Enjoy.... This is the home of New Mexico politics. Thanks for stopping by this week. I'm Joe Monahan reporting. E-mail your news and comments. Interested in advertising here? Drop us a line. (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2011 Not for reproduction without permission of the author Labels: Friday clippings |
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