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Monday, March 07, 2011Santa Fe's Directionless Dems; No Plan Is The Plan, Plus: Heather In Senate Race Today As Sanchez Starts Making Noise, And: City Hall Alligator Strike Where's the Democratic plan? Governor Martinez jolts them with a win in the state House on repealing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants (Senate approval is less certain) but the Dems have yet to do much to put Martinez on the defensive. The truth is with a very narrow majority in the House and the state Senate under the leadership of a conservative coalition, Martinez is looking at a lot of friendly faces.Dems outside the Roundhouse want their legislative leadership to send Martinez a jobs or stimulus bill that she would veto so they can have her on the record on this crucial issue--just as she has House Dems on the record voting not to bring to the floor the hyper-controversial license issue. But the Senate Dem caucus is worlds apart on the big economic issues. Senators Jennings and John Arthur Smith are nearly Republicans in that regard and have no common ground with liberal Senators like Griego and Feldman. Freshman Senator Tim Keller did some weekend op-ed freelancing on the tax code. Interesting, but hardly the stuff that will galvanize public opinion. There is also the proposal from Senate leader Michael Sanchez to bond permanent fund money to avoid budget cuts. But what does the Democratic caucus as a whole stand for? You need Sherlock Holmes to figure that out. So here we are with still high unemployment and a still sluggish economy--issues the public traditionally looks to the Dems to lead on--and they have yet to articulate a common message and put the Republican Governor on the spot. The Democrats pride themselves on being a "big tent" party, but there is such a thing as too big of a tent. LICENSE VOTE  Here are the eight Democrats who voted with the Republicans Friday to repeal the law allowing driver's licenses to be awarded to illegal immigrants:Representatives Ray Begaye, Joseph Cervantes, Donna Irwin, Sandra Jeff, Rhonda King, Patricia Lundstrom, Al Park, and Debbie Rodella. The vote by ABQ's Park is notable. He has been mentioned as a possible US House candidate if Martin Heinrich gives up the ABQ seat to run for Senate. He is also a possible candidate for an ABQ Public Regulation Commission seat in 2012. Cervantes of Las Cruces has toyed with running for the US House seat in the conservative south. Note also the "yes" votes on the repeal from Indian Country, including Reps Jeff, Lundstrom and Begaye. One Roundhouse wall-leaner explained the Indian Country votes to repeal the licenses this way: The Navajos know a thing or two about being too hospitable toward strangers in their midst! Northern Rep. Debbie Rodella, chairman of the business and industry committee, is a San Juan Pueblo member. She is noted for perhaps the most historic vote in the 2oth century New Mexican Legislature. That vote, in 1997, broke a tie in the House and paved the way for legalized gambling on state tribal lands. In the final quarter of 2011, Indian casinos posted a "net win" of over $172 million. IN THE SENATE Las Cruces newsman Walt Rubel says assumptions that the Senate would reject the move to repeal the licenses are shaky in the aftermath of House approval: Momentum clearly seems to be on the side of those opposed to granting licenses, and I don't see anything happening to change that between now and 2012, when all 42 Senate seats are up for re-election. Senators may want to delay the inevitable, but don't be surprised if a few pragmatists cross over the aisle to pass it this year. HEATHER WATCH The Dems may already be firing blanks at former ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson who is expected to announce her candidacy for the 2012 GOP US Senate nomination at 2:30 p.m. today in ABQ at the offices of Desert Paper and Envelope. (We'll post an update for you.) National and local Dems reacted to Wilson's forthcoming candidacy with attacks on her ethics--in particular the US attorney scandal in which she and former Senator Domenici were accused of tyring to get US Attorney David Iglesias to speed up indictments that they could use to their political advantage. The scandal cost Domenici dearly as he was penalized by the Senate Ethics Committee, but Wilson got off scot-free. But ethics is not going to get the spectators up from their sofas. Jobs, wages, privatizing Social Security--those are the issues that most matter--and one suspects the Dems will see that rather quickly as the campaign moves forward. For now, Wilson is most vulnerable to a GOP primary challenge on her right. And the rattling has already begun. The head of redstate.com--a national news site that works to keep Republican blood pure--is already calling Wilson's candidacy a mutt. In a tweet, the redstate editor fired this shot: Keeping Heather Wilson out of the Senate will be the next great noble cause for conservatives. And who will be the leader of that "noble cause?" THE SANCHEZ FACTOR  A lot of Republicans think it could be Lt. Governor John Sanchez. He sounded pretty serious when he gave his first comments to TV news on a possible Senate candidacy and a clash with Wilson:Folks here in the Roundhouse and across the state of New Mexico are saying consider this run for the U.S. Senate... Sanchez said for now his main focus is on the legislative session and the state’s budget but is considering running for the Senate seat. He said he is leaving all options open for now. Gators, the odds on John running just zoomed past 50 percent. Heather's arch-rival, Rep. Steve Pearce, expressed dismay that the party is not uniting. He sent a letter to Republicans recently urging that they get behind one candidate. Obviously, he doesn't believe that one candidate is Heather. Expect the Pearce forces to line up behind Sanchez. Wilson's announcement today will be closely watched to see if she moves to the right as her "moderate" credentials come under fire from an even more conservative GOP than when she ran and lost the 2008 US Senate primary to conservative Pearce. Life would be much easier for her if Sanchez can be kept out of the race. Leading R's note that aside from him there is no obvious muscular primary challenger. And here's the email making the rounds on Wilson's event: Just to let you know, Heather Wilson is making an announcement on Monday, March 7th @ 2:00 pm, located @ 2700 Girard NE, north of Menaul and west of American Furniture. Bring signs if you want and also some friends as well. Bring signs? Is the campaign already on a budget and going to bring the old ones up from the basements? Well, that might score points with those fiscal conservatives who are so sour on Heather. ALLIGATOR STRIKE  Is it kosher that publicly elected ABQ Public School Board member David Robbins is working for Mayor Berry as a constituent services assistant? Alligators struck with the news that Robbins has been hired, even though the City Charter appears to prohibit Robbins from serving in both positions:No employee shall participate in the following types of political activity: (B) Being a candidate for or holding any elective city office. Robbins is no stranger to controversy. Last September he drew fire when he argued that condoms can increase the risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections. A CONFLICT? In a related manner, a reader writes: Does the NM legislature have any conflict of interest rules that require legislators to abstain from voting on bills in which they have a financial interest? I raise that question because school funding is a big issue these days, and many legislators seem to be school employees. I would hope they would abstain from voting on school budgets that affect their employment and salaries. Has this ever been an issue? We get that one a lot. The Legislature doesn't have nay rules that prohibit membership if you work for a state funded school. The legislators are part time and do not received salaries, but a daily expense account. As noted above, the city of ABQ prohibits its employees from serving in the Legislature or other elected positions. HIGHER ED BURDEN  And another reader writes--angrily--of the burden higher education is shouldering to balance the budget: It would be refreshing if you pointed out that the budget will be balanced on the backs of higher education employees who continue to suffer pay cuts through increased pension deductions. By next year we will be contributing 10% of our incomes to the bloody ERB. By comparison, teachers in Wisconsin are being forced to contribute 5.8%. Note also that in Ohio educators will be forced to pay for 13% of their medical plans. We already pay 1/3! And most importantly, note that UNM salaries, for example, are far less than those in places like Ohio and Wisconsin. Dr. No (state Senator John Arthur Smith) and his fellows know that they can get away with this violation of the state's commitments because every time they do this they say it's "temporary." You could also cite the NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll from yesterday showing massive support for increased taxes on the wealthy and on oil companies. Yes, I know pseudo-Dems like Dr. No and Richardson still believe in trickle down economics. The question is do you? A couple of points. The higher ed establishment--at least at UNM--needs to address the ongoing concern that they are top heavy with administrators. In particular, the couple of dozen vice-presidents being paid in the vicinity of $200,000. Are they being trimmed? The public is waiting for some reform. As for the question of where we stand on taxes, we've advocated since the beginning of the recession/depression for a higher tax rate on the wealthy. That NBC/Wall St. Journal poll shows 81 percent support for placing a federal surtax on those making $1 million a year. We count ourselves among that 81 percent. The immense money flowing into political campaigns has washed away distinctions on tax policy for the well-off. Former Governor Richardson slashed the top rate in New Mexico and we now essentially have a flat income tax. Not good. And nationally, Obama was forced to back away from terminating the Bush tax cuts for those making over $200,000 a year. The historic disparity between the rich and poor has been repeatedly exposed during this epic downturn, but unlike past downturns there seems little backbone among the political classes to reverse it. THE BOTTOM LINES The lure of La Politica was too much for columnist and New Mexico humorist Ned Cantwell to resist. He's back at it as seen in this latest dispatch. This is the home of New Mexico politics. 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 Friday, March 04, 2011Driving It Home: R's Pound License Issue, Plus: Heather Preps Senate Entry, And: Viva Chupacabra! Why is everyone so worried about these illegal immigrants having driver's licenses? With the way the price of gas is going up, most of them aren't going to be able to drive much longer anyway. Of course, that could also be the case for the rest of us.In Santa Fe, House Speaker Ben Lujan is in the driver's seat, but he's lost control of his back seat drivers--a couple of renegade Dems joined with the R's and he now finds himself facing a vote in which licenses for the illegals would be repealed--like Governor Martinez wants. Roundhouse oldtimers say it may have been the first time in over 50 years that a bill was "blasted" out of committee so it could be voted on by the full House. Maybe Ben should send some flowers and chocolate to Dem Rep. Sandra Jeff. She is voting against the Dem caucus position on every conceivable vote. And that's in a chamber that is divided between 33 R's, 36 Dems and one indy. Jeff, who represents Navajo country, has been a game-changer. Speaker Lujan's chief of staff chewed out Jeff for voting the "wrong way." She demanded an apology and stated that it is her vote not the speaker's. R's are gradually achieving their version of political Nirvana--getting a recorded vote of Dems thwarting the repeal of the licenses and then using it against them in the 2012 election--but the Dems are not without ammunition of their own. They can argue effectively that the new Governor is throwing a nice circus, but she isn't throwing any bread to the hungry crowds--in this case the thousands of unemployed and underemployed New Mexicans as well as beleaguered businesses whose bottom lines are no laughing matter. But Martinez will worry about that later. Or maybe not. The sense is growing stronger that she is driving toward a play for the 2012 GOP vice presidential nod and that these wedge issues are her way of getting her head into that big circus tent. As for Speaker Lujan, we give this warning to his lovely wife, Carmen. If you see Ben in a cozy corner romancing Sandra Jeff, don't worry. It's only business. HEATHER VS. SANCHEZ?  Former ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson appears to be preparing to formally enter the 2012 race for the GOP US Senate in ABQ Monday, say several GOP insiders. The Politico is reporting similar news. If she goes, Lt. Governor John Sanchez may or may not be hot on her trail. Insiders don't expect word from him until after the legislative session later this month, but they say he is acting interested.Wilson is hoping Sanchez doesn't go, clearing the field for her and avoiding a bloody primary battle like the one she endured and lost to Rep. Steve Pearce in 2008. Heather is still seen as too moderate for hard-core conservatives. Sanchez might be able to count on the conservative Club for Growth for financial support. They played a key role in the bid to beat Heather in '08. VIVA CHUPACABRA! KRQE-TV reestablished its long dominance in the 10 p.m. news race partly on the back of a very highly rated investigative report on the elusive and mysterious chupacabra. The station scored an 11.2 rating in the February sweeps far surpassing rivals KOAT and KOB. CBS affiliate KRQE has been in the 10 p.m. ratings lead for several years. Media types say strong prime time programming continues to aid KRQE as well as effective enterprise news reporting and the anchor team of Dick Knipfing and Dianne Anderson. IT'S A GAS We mused here over why it appears the state's economists are once gain overestimating the price for natural gas--a key driver of tax revenue for the state. Economist Richard Anklam weighed in:The reason the state’s economists have higher natural gas numbers plugged into the forecast than you might expect, is because of the premium we get on natural gas liquids produced in the process. Those prices thankfully tend to follow crude oil prices, so we can get a bump in “natural gas” revenues when the price of oil exceeds expectations. A while back there was actually some confusion when the spot and contract prices at our hubs weren’t capable of supporting the revenues we were actually receiving… it was the liquids. You’re right to point out that oil and oil prices matter much less than natural gas (which you’re also right about… those prices will be very sluggish for quite a while), and I know the forecasters resisted fiscal optimism suggested by some, based on the common belief we’d see $4 pump prices soon. The Legislature has in recent years overestimated how much natural gas and oil would fetch, leaving bigger budget holes than anticipated. IN OUR TIME A reader writes: Two news stories bring to our attention the role that privilege plays in our culture today. One is about the APS superintendent using a school district plow to clear snow from his East Mountain driveway. The second is the story about the wealthy Maloof boys driving a hard deal to make Sacramento taxpayers build a basketball arena for them. We are in a time when the privileged by wealth or rank expect the taxpayer to foot the bills for items middle class taxpayers do themselves. That is the case with the superintendent and his driveway. And, in the case of the Maloofs, we have the taxpayers being asked to pay for the privilege of watching them enjoy their lives of excess HER STAMP By insisting that no more state money be used to complete the Spaceport--if needed--Governor Martinez has put her stamp on the project. Which in a backhanded sort of way is kind of a good thing for those who support the project. She now has some ownership of the Spaceport and can begin calling it her own and get it out from under the shadow of Big Bill. On the other hand, if more state funds are needed to get the job done, that could be trouble. THE BIG GAME  We have the exclusive play by play on the House-Senate basketball game which the House won Thursday night. Here from the broadcasting booth is ABQ Dem State Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas:Bill O'Neill (D-ABQ) was a relentless defender against Senate standout John Sapien (D-Bernalillo) and made some key jump shots as the House defeated the Senate 33-26 in the annual charity Basketball game at Santa Fe High school gym. The Senate had won the 2010 game ending a nine game House winning streak. 6'-5" House freshman Conrad James (R-ABQ) made his presence felt with some humiliating blocks and 6'2" Nate Gentry (R-ABQ) added athleticism as the House reestablished itself as the dominant hoops chamber. Thomas Garcia (D-Ocate) had a rebound pout back and a deep 3-pointer to give the House a 26-21 lead with 4 minutes to go that it never relinquished. Legendary Hall of Famer Lou Henson coached the House "Aggies" and Mike Locksley coached the Senate "Lobos." The game raised $20,000 for the UNM Cancer Center. Republicans James and Gentry had a great game, but they look confused when someone yelled, "Win one for the Speaker." THE BOTTOM LINES  For the record, in a first draft Thursday we said the film tax rebate had been reduced to 15% from 25%. The amount of the rebates has been capped at $45 million per year, but under the legislation approved by the House the percentage of a film's production costs that can be rebated remains at 25%.Also on the film rebates, a column comes from liberal Michael Kinsley in which he criticizes former Governor Richardson's support of the rebates--as well as other supportive politicos. Thanks for stopping by here this week. This is the home of New Mexico politics. 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 Thursday, March 03, 2011The Santa Fe Session: A Reprieve From The Boredom, Plus: Veteran Politico Has Early Handicapping Of Senate Race, And: Stuart Ingle Is No Tea Partier There was a flurry of activity at the Roundhouse Wednesday (see below) that broke the capitol monotony for a couple of hours, but there's no denying that this has been as boring a 60 day legislative session as anyone has seen. How boring? You need the Thesaurus to find the many ways:bromidic, bummer, characterless, cloying, colorless, commonplace, dead, drab, drag, drudging, dull, flat, ho hum, humdrum, insipid, interminable, irksome, lifeless, monotonous, moth-eaten, mundane, nothing, nowhere, platitudinous, plebeian, prosaic... Okay, you get the idea. Of course, when the session concludes we will hear of all its glorious accomplishments from the powers that be. Not that any of it will have much to do with lowering the state unemployment rate or putting some new life into our moribund economy. What are we to make of this lifelessness? That the political class is intellectually exhausted by the endless recession? That there is a Republican Governor? That after eight years of Richardson, there is nothing more to pass, but just bills to pay? We'd say all of the above and add that the state currently seems featureless. The optimism is gone, but neither does pessimism reign. It's like a semi-catatonic state where somehow things get done but not much of anything changes. Maybe $100 a barrel oil will perk up the party. It won't hurt, but the main energy-related driver for the state treasury is natural gas--for every ten cent rise we get about $12 million--and that remains in a major bear market. And then there's the downside of the oil pop--those sky-high gas prices that are going to keep people home more and spending less. And who are those economists telling the Legislature that the price of natural gas is going to go to $5.75 when it has been at or below $4? Sounds like Santa Fe is once again setting us up for another budget shortfall. HOUSE ROWDINESS Lujan  Meanwhile, the 112 lawmakers are moving toward adopting a budget--whether an overly optimistic one or not. The $5.4 billion measure passed the House by one vote. But the majority Dems could not get the votes to increase the film rebate cap to $60 million from the previously approved $45 million. Dem defectors Sandra Jeff and Dona Irwin voted with the R's. Both are from outside the Rio Grande corridor where the industry thrives. The vote again showed what a shaky hold the Dems have on the lower chamber now that the R's have more members--33 out of 70--than at anytime in the modern era.The $15 million in a $5.4 billion budget is a drop in the bucket, but the stink raised over it could undercut a burgeoning industry. Sadly, that could be what this session is most remembered for. If it happens we expect political repercussions for the R's in always job-starved New Mexico. Last night Speaker Lujan shut down the action and the House adjourned just as faux Republican Rep. Andy Nunez tried to resurrect the wedge issue du jour--repealing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. The Governor and her political advisers are besides themselves to get every Democrat on record voting not to repeal, thinking this is the Holy Grail of the 2012 election. As if in preparation, they even passed around a video of the closing chaotic moments of the House session. And we thought jobs, the economy and health care were the concerns of most New Mexicans. Silly us. Regardless, it doesn't appear the Guv is going to get her way. Even if the repeal bill is blasted out of the House today it would likely be put to its grave in the Senate. (Don't hold us to that). But a House vote would still give the Martinez consultants their 30 second campaign spot. And, of course, that's what's really important, right? Well, it is when you are trying to run the best campaign, but not necessarily the best government. NOT $450 MILLION--YET The AP reports the budget trims $155 million from this year's budget so will we stop hearing boasts from the executive branch that they are addressing a $450 million shortfall? Don't count on it. But if we don't get the economy humming and continue to overestimate how much money we will bring in then we might yet get back to that $450 million figure.
The budget now goes to the Senate. They better not act too quickly or they won't have anything left to do for the final two weeks. SANTULLO AND THE SENATE  Who's hot and who's not? We asked veteran political observer and NM talk radio pioneer Mike Santullo to take an early look at the 2012 race for the US Senate. First the Dems:Rep. Martin Heinrich---He could pull away from the field if he comes strong out of the gate with his fund-raising. I do see him pulling the trigger. National Dems could help him clear the field. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan--He would be the major threat to a Heinrich nomination, but I don't see him going. If he did, it would tear the party from limb to limb Marty Chavez--Does he have one more left in him? If Heinrich stayed out, he could. He would be a strong general election candidate. The primary is problematic. Diane Denish--Again, it's the Heinrich card. If it's not played, she gets to play. Hector Balderas--Very difficult, and I am betting he does not go all in but builds name ID for a '14 attorney general run. THE REPUBLICANS Santullo came with this tip sheet for the Republicans: Heather Wilson--She is not looking as inevitable as she was. Steve Pearce has gutted her with that letter sending her a message to stay out. She may take the message and pass. Hard to say. Steve Pearce--He lives to stop a moderate like Wilson from having the nomination. He stays put in his congressional seat and works it behind the scenes. John Sanchez--The lieutenant governor needs to be watched. Republicans are hot for Hispanic candidates--look at Susana--he could emerge here. Matt Chandler--Untested, but interesting. He could surface if others recede. Santullo, 64, began his broadcasting career in the early 70's. A Democrat, he served as communications director for former ABQ Mayor Ken Schultz. ONE LAST TIME?  Friends of former Mayor Marty Chavez say he is more than casually interested in the Senate seat that will become vacant with the departure of Jeff Bingaman. Chavez, elected to three terms as ABQ Mayor, was ousted by Republican Richard Berry in '09. He sought the Senate nod in 2008, but got out early and Tom Udall prevailed.Chavez has the pedigree for the position. He has a law degree from Georgetown, is a policy wonk and has been both an executive and a legislator. He has been mentioned as a future US Senator since he got into politics back in the 80's, but he never could get past the mayor's office. No one ever has. At 59, this cycle probably represents his last hope for the comeback. Like others, he waits for the stars to align. As for Heather, we are hearing reports of polling that shows her strong in the ABQ area, but not so strong statewide. John Sanchez is looking at the race. If he goes in and gets Pearce and the Tea Party behind him, he could derail Wilson as Pearce did in the 2008 GOP primary. WILL WE STAY THERE? But will we stay at the top of the list after the movie industry had its spotlights blackened in Santa Fe? MovieMaker magazine has ranked Albuquerque as the No. 2 city among the top 10 cities for independent filmmakers. Boston beat out the Duke City this year for the No. 1 spot, held by Albuquerque in 2010. The No. 3 and No. 4 spots went to New Orleans and Austin, Texas. And then there is this: A number of film projects slated to be shot in New Mexico are in limbo or canceled, one producer said.Producer Alton Walpole said two major feature films that were once looking to come to New Mexico are now on hold.Walpole said production companies are waiting to see what happens with film incentives before making a decision. One can hope that Mayor Berry and his economic development department are tracking this. The Mayor decided not to weigh in on the cut in film incentives, saying Santa Fe could work it out. They cut the film rebate and it appears that will be the final word. How's that working out for you now, Mayor? SUSANA AND WINSTON We didn't see any high heel marks on the windpipe of APS Superintendent Winston Brook after his very first meeting with Governor Martinez Wednesday. She has been chiding him over administrative waste in the system, while he maintains there is none. They both smiled and joked for the cameras and said they are ready to work together. Some of the school honchos have been operating in a political vacuum, cushioned for years by the powerful (too powerful) education lobby in the state House and under the previous Governor. It has left the impression that somehow Brooks is the political equivalent of the Governor. He is not. Maybe Martinez can change this culture of expectations among school administrators and school boards when it comes to running these districts. She's made a start with Brooks, but she needn't get too friendly. She's not done with those high heels. THE INGLE FILE  Rather than look with disdain at the billions of dollars that come into the state from the federal government, GOP State Senate Leader Stuart Ingle is playing nice as his east side district reaps the benefits:Building contractors working at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis would continue to be exempt from paying gross receipts taxes if a bill sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle becomes law. The economy of the entire area and most everyone should get more bang for their buck and should benefit from this extension. The community should feel the benefits of extending this deduction because when the military has to pay less, the military can build more and that translates into more wages being paid by contractors that are able to flow in the local economy... Stu, could you send that memo to the Tea Party folks who are freaked out by federal spending. We think you nailed it. This is the home of New Mexico politics. 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 Wednesday, March 02, 2011Brooks Stands Firm Against Guv In Latest Round Of PIO Battle, Plus: Film Buffs Borrow Page From Susana Playbook, And: Raises For City Politicos? Now?
Winston Brooks
 It appears Governor Martinez is going to have to keep her high heels on the windpipe of ABQ Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks. The super continues to insist that the over $400,000 he is spending annually on PR is a wise expense and he won't cut it.Susana wasn't asking for much when she targeted the PIO's gone wild in APS in her January State of the State speech, but Brooks won't budge. He spins that the PR expense is comparable to other school districts. Never mind that other school districts may be over spending on PR. He also points to the PR budget for Las Cruces, saying that for its size that district spends a comparable amount on PR as APS. To which the Governor promptly retorted that they are also spending too much. Brooks is paying his top PR flack over $106,000 a year when the local market price for that job is around $75,000. That could be a $30,000 savings which happens to be about the starting pay for a school teacher. Brooks' math doesn't add up and the Governor's does. And that's why she will be keeping her high heels sharpened. FILM FLIP-FLOP Governor Martinez and her political team are getting a taste of their own medicine. You'll recall how they launched robocalls and radio ads against legislators reluctant to support the repeal of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. Now the film folk are out with a YouTube video attacking Martinez for not ordering an independent review of state film incentives as she said she would during last year's campaign. The 40 second video shows Susana in a number of venues talking in support of the industry, but she has since supported reducing the film tax rebate from 25% of a film's cost to 15% without a study. The video concludes by asking viewers to call Susana and tell her "to keep her word" and support an independent economic review of the incentives. Various measures to study the incentives are now winding through the Legislature. Republican Bob Cornelius blasted the ad, saying it was not well-produced and makes the Dems sound like they actually want the film incentives cut. He sounds like a potential film critic, doesn't he? CARGO'S DOUBTS Former NM Governor Dave Cargo ('66-'70), was one of the early pioneers when it came to bringing movies to New Mexico. The Republican now tells KOB-TV's Stuart Dyson he has grave doubts about how Susana has handled the film incentives: You’ve got to have a good relationship with the movie industry, and I’m afraid they’re destroying it. They’ve got to sit down and figure out something that’s reasonable, something that is do-able, and do it the right way... Susana says the right way is to cap the film tax rebate at $45 million a year. Anything higher could get her in a vetoing mood. PAY RAISES NOW?  Pay raises for politicians? In this environment? That's right. Raising the future pay of the ABQ Mayor and nine city councilors will be the talk of the town tomorrow night:The Citizens' Independent Salary Commission was approved by Albuquerque voters as an amendment to the City Charter. The Commission was created with the authority to set the salaries of the Mayor and City Councilors. The Commission has the authority to evaluate the annual salaries and determine whether they should be increased or decreased. The Commission intends to issue a report in March 2011 with any recommended compensation adjustments to be implemented with the next elected Albuquerque City Council. The Commission will hold a forum to hear comments from the public and media. March 3, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Loma Linda Community Center 1700 Yale Blvd. SE 87106 Mayor Berry is making about $105,000 after a self-imposed 5 percent salary cut to help balance the budget. The nine city councilors make 10 percent of that or about $10,500 a year, with the council president making double that. The councilors also get personal assistants who make well over $50,000 a year. Why raise their pay? There's no shortage of candidates running and the councilor jobs were envisioned as brief civic service. And with their well-compensated aides, it can hardly be argued that they are overworked. But we doubt if the commission will see it that way. In the middle of a recession they will probably vote to give everyone a nice raise. Just like the one you are getting. Not. THEY'RE BULLET PROOF And in case any disgruntled taxpayers start taking aim at the councilors, don't worry. They now have a bullet proof dais to hide under--at a cost of $40,000. SPACEPORT BOOSTER  Reader Rodger Beimer writes: You’re right on regarding the fate of the Spaceport. Just because it happened during Bill Richardson’s term doesn’t make it bad. I just went to the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery--along with tens of thousands of others. There was a couple from Germany on my bus that had come to Florida just to see the launch. Since the USA doesn’t have any manned space shots beyond the Shuttle program which ends after one or two more launches, the demand to see people shot into space will exist! The Virgin Galactic vehicle and its propulsion system may not be as dramatic as a Saturn V or the shuttle launch vehicle, but the curiosity and mystery of space flight will remain. Where are the curious sightseers gonna go? To Russia? Bienvenido a Nuevo Mexico! SCHMITT SWAN SONG Former astronaut and US Senator Jack Schmitt is out with his final take on his ill-fated reentry into la politica. He penned an op-ed striking back at state Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Linda Lopez over the reasons for his withdrawal as Governor Martinez's secretary of energy and minerals. The simple truth is that I agreed to background investigations by both the Rules Committee and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. I only said "no" to releasing Ms. López's hand-picked private eyes from liability for the misuse of personal and family information. I did not say "no" to the committee having full access to that information. BIG BILL UPDATE Remember that $1 million a year movie job Big Bill was said to be in the running for last year? Well, Bill didn't get it but another ex-politico did. Former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd takes the prize. Former Governor Bill announced his own PR type job last week--although it doesn't tip the pay scales like Dodd's, it will keep Bill on the DC scene. Another topic of intense political banter in 2010 was whether there would be any federal indictments in connection with the state investment scandals. Former State Investment Officer Gary Bland and Marc Correa, who marketed investments to the state, were constantly mentioned as possible targets. Still nothing from downtown, but legal beagles continue to have their ears perked up each Friday--the day when federal indictments are often announced. THE BOTTOM LINES  In a little riff on the Tuesday blog we listed what we believe to be the current and future cornerstones of the New Mexico economy---the Spaceport, the Labs, tourism etc.---but a reader points out we did not mention two biggies--the oil and gas industry and agriculture. Indeed. They are vital.This is the home of New Mexico politics. Thanks for making us the state's #1 blog. 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 Tuesday, March 01, 2011Dr. No Still Needed, But Not As Much, Plus: New Mexico's Space Race; The Latest News And: A Letter From Gallup
Dr. No
 Once he was the capitol chaperone, urging the revelers in Santa Fe to raise glasses with cheap grape juice not champagne. It was a message that echoed across the state as the Great Recession cast its shadow. But today, unlike the past two budget cutting sessions, the voice of State Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith is not quite as loud. The Deming lawmaker, who earned the moniker "Dr. No" from Governor Big Bill for his parsimonious ways, is still a major powerhouse when it comes to the budget, but that power is now being shared.Unlike his relationship with Richardson, who fought Dr. No tooth and nail, Democrat Smith finds himself mainly in agreement with a Republican Governor whose party also takes joy in handling the budget scalpel. In that regard, the heyday of Dr. No is over. He has no foil on the Fourth Floor. His economic perspective is now also looking dated to some Democrats. With a Republican Governor, they argue, it is best for their party to get on the opposite side of the budget argument and push back against Martinez. But Smith and the conservatives are not easily persuaded. The public mood in New Mexico does appear to be shifting toward anxiety over budget cuts, not a push for more of them. That is an opportunity for the Democrats, but no Senate leadership has surfaced to become the face of a new era--a centrist Democrat. Dr. No stands on shifting philosophical sands. When this legislative session ends, the state budget over three years will have been pared to $5.4 billion from its $6.2 billion peak. That's a 13 per cent cut. And the state work force has been trimmed by some 9 percent since the bull market crashed and burned. There will always be room for fiscal conservatism, but for now it has run its course as Santa Fe's dominant political philosophy. Governor Martinez has been somewhat ahead of the curve on this. During the campaign she said no further cuts to public education classrooms and Medicaid. She bent that promise by proposing cuts, but wee ones. How odd it is to see a Republican Governor argue against deeper budget cuts and with Dr. No going along. We've often said that this life-changing recession was going to have us seeing things you never thought possible. THE SPACE RACE Anderson  Well, how about that? Someone in the Martinez administration is finally saying out loud that they are excited about the economic potential of the Spaceport. It comes from Christine Anderson, the new executive director of the facility:I am excited for the opportunity to lead a project that has such a high potential for success. I look forward to working with Governor Martinez and the Board of Directors to ensure that the Spaceport is developed into an economic engine that can drive development and job creation in New Mexico. That's the most enthusiasm we've seen for the project from the new administration, but concern over Martinez's push to privatize the Spaceport still lurks. In announcing Anderson's appointment she said: My administration is committed to working closely with Ms. Anderson and the Board of Directors to attract private investment and see the project through to its full potential... We suppose she can keep wishing for "private investment" but this is a public works project. It is similar to how we funded ABQ International Airport--except this one is to be the airport for future space travel--suborbital and orbital as well as commercial and military. It's not only about putting rich tourists in suborbital space, although that will be the spark plug. THE SANDIA MODEL?  There is talk of having a Lockheed or Boeing manage the Spaceport similar to the way Lockheed manages Sandia Labs. But that's not owning it. The state would still control it, much the way the federal government does with Sandia. If that's what Susana means by privatization, then it addresses the darkest fears. That is a workable model.It is the job and responsibility of the Governor to bring the Spaceport to its "full potential." We hired her to do that, not a private company. Maybe that happens down the road, but the administration will be putting the cart before the horse if it attempts to offload the Spaceport before we achieve the original mission--completing the project and putting tourists in suborbital space with Virgin Galactic. THE RESUME Those hoping for the best with this deal can take some comfort in the credentials of Anderson, who is a retired Air Force civilian: Anderson was the founding director of the Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland’s Air Force Research Laboratory. She served as director of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory, also at Kirtland, and as director of the Military Satellite Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, where she oversaw management of a $50 billion portfolio of assets. The previous executive director under Governor Big Bill was Rick Homans, who held a variety of posts under Bill and who was criticized for not having space experience. He is credited with getting the project up and running and nurturing a relationship with Virgin Galactic, the anchor Spaceport tenant. Push will come to shove if and when the Spaceport needs additional dollars for final completion. Will Martinez support the funding, if needed? We suppose that's when we will truly see how "excited" Ms. Anderson is about the Spaceport. THE COMPETITION  If Santa Fe doesn't do this deal right, it could be taken from right under our noses. Monday's New York Times puts it right in front of everyone. We have competition:Dr. Stern’s institute (Southwest Research Institute) announced that it has signed a contract and paid the deposit to send two of its scientists up in Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo vehicle (in New Mexico). Southwest also intends to buy six more seats — $1.6 million in tickets over all. That follows an announcement on Thursday that Southwest is buying six seats from another suborbital company, XCOR Aerospace of Mojave, Calif., which has been charging $95,000 a seat for tourists. XCOR’s Lynx space plane carries just two people — the pilot and the paying passenger — so each flight will carry an experiment and an institute scientist... Scientists, tourists, the military, private corporations. Again, the Spaceport is anything but just a playground for the rich--it represents one of the brightest hopes for the new century for New Mexico--a state whose people are so sorely in need of opportunity. Will we let it pass us by? WHILE WE'RE AT IT... The Spaceport, movie making, the national labs, the military bases, tourism, the heathcare industry. All of these are present or future cornerstones of the New Mexican economy for the generations to come. Our political leadership needs to build them up, not inhibit them. CAMPOS EXPLORING Northern state Senator Pete Campos is spreading the word that he will form an exploratory committee for a possible run at the 2012 Dem US Senate nomination. If he does, he could become one of the first candidates to start raising money. A legislator is allowed to raise money for a federal race while the Legislature is in session State Auditor Hector Balderas, also from the north, says he is "95 percent" in, but he is not raising money yet. Former ABQ Mayor Marty Chavez is taking a serious look at the contest. The most prominent Anglo possible candidate is ABQ Dem Congressman Martin Heinrich. DURAN VS. HERRERA  It's the battle of the secretaries of state and it's Mary's turn at bat after Dianna complained about missing documents, among other things:Enough is enough. I did a good job. I have a reputation. She's now attacking me, and it's a defamation of character. I have the current Secretary of State accusing me of being a criminal?" I'm not going to tolerate that. It's in the law that the elected official and the deputy must have archives come in and transfer their hard drives into a hard drive to be archived.... TV news added: Herrera said Duran could easily track down those documents by going to the state archives and requesting them. A LETTER FROM GALLUP A reader writes of the sensational political antics in Gallup as voters prepare to elect a mayor: Here is a dispatch from the wilds of western New Mexico: You will recall watching grainy security camera footage early last year of 70+ Gallup Mayor Harry Mendoza throwing haymaker punches as he chased 60+ Gallup Independent publisher Bob Zollinger around a bank parking lot. Mendoza pled no contest to a petty misdemeanor and issued a one sentence court ordered apology. He then hired attorney Sam Bregman to file a defamation and invasion of privacy suit against Zollinger who has run several new stories and over a dozen editorials accusing Mendoza of participating in a vicious gang rape in the late 1940s when Mendoza was a teenager. Mendoza who faces stiff opposition in his campaign for re-election. He has adopted an innovative campaign strategy that may be a new contribution to the annals of La Politica. In his ads, Mendoza prominently features this quote which he attributes to Zollinger: “If Harry Mendoza runs for Mayor again and wins I’ll sell my business and move out of Gallup.” Mendoza’s ads claim that this “comment has been confirmed by several individuals.” To date, Zollinger has not commented publicly on Mendoza’s claim. Election day in Gallup is March 8. We're just thinking what a great movie this would make--a modern version of the old Western. See, those film incentives do come in handy. THE COOKIE JOKE Reader John Hooker writes: A CEO, a Tea Partier and a Union worker are sitting at a table. There is a plate of a dozen cookies. The CEO proceeds to take 11 of the cookies and eats them. He looks at the Tea Partier and tells him, "Watch out! That union guy wants your cookie. This is the home of New Mexico politics. 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 |
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