September Heat On The Campaign Trail And The PRC Goes Homeless

As the calendar turns to September the heat is still on in New Mexico and spreading to the campaign trail. Endangered incumbents are taking notice of the fast approaching election which will likely be decided before the official election day of November 3 because of an expected record turnout of early and absentee voters prompted by the coronavirus.

One of those endangered is ABQ GOP State Senator Sander Rue. You can tell because now he is ready to give up a cherished perk of legislative service--the $192 a day each lawmaker gets for attending not just the official legislative sessions but also numerous interim committee meetings. And even though those interim meetings are now conducted virtually and legislators don't need to pay for hotels, gas or food away from home, they are still eligible to receive the per diem, thanks to a ruling from the Legislative Council. The embattled Rue, facing Dem challenger Harold Pope, a retired air force officer, has an idea:

Taxpayers can trust that I won’t accept any per diem paid by them as I serve the public at this summer and fall’s interim committee meetings. As an owner of my own business, I do lose work the days I am in the committee meetings, but I will not incur any out of pocket expense because the committee meetings are video conferences this interim, so, I will not accept any per diem. It is the right thing to do.

In ordinary times it can be hard to stretch that $192 but with the pandemic you can stay the night at the downtown ABQ Hyatt Regency for a mere $76 a night. And with that savings you can head over to the historic Los Poblanos Inn for a light gourmet dinner for two and easily drop $116. Afterwards take a relaxing walk and savor the bucolic scenery and cool evening.

And to think Senator Rue is giving all that up just for you and me. What a guy. . .

Also on the topic of virtual meetings, maybe the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) will be permanently meeting that way. The problem? The five member panel that regulates electric rates and much else was ordered by the state in March to vacate its offices at the PERA building by the end of June and find another place (extended until Sept. 30). But they haven't and the PRC has now joined the growing ranks of homeless. That sparks this letter to the Guv from the NM House GOP leadership: . . . 

Failure to provide this constitutionally established entity with a proper location to conduct its statutory responsibilities is, frankly, incomprehensible. We encourage your office and the General Services Department (GSD) to work closely with the PRC staff and to immediately identify needed office space. . . The PRC still has no office space in which to operate and, as a result, has essentially been forced to cease all regular operations. . . It is well-known that your administration is less than pleased with the PRC due to its various decisions regarding the implementation of the Energy Transition Act (ETA). It is salso well-documented your administration is the driving force behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would dramatically change the selection process of PRC commissioners and place the operation of the commission fully within the governor office's authority. 

It's true that the PRC has acted as a stumbling block for the ETA which mandates the state generate 100 percent of its electricity from carbon free sources by 2045.  It's also true that MLG backs that amendment voters will decide in November that would abolish the PRC and replace it with gubernatorial appointments. Unfortunately for the PRC it appears the amendment could pass unless there is a well-financed effort to derail it. Mailers supporting the amendment have already been spotted. Well, if it does pass at least the commissioners won't be homeless any more.

CASH CALL

We were thinking of past money troubles Monday when the NMGOP was referenced here as "penniless." Not today. The party reports raising $1.6 million in their federal account for the 2020 cycle under the leadership of Chairman Steve Pearce (not including transfers from other GOP committees.)

The party says the previous high for a cycle was $1.4 million for 2016 under Chair Debbie Maestas. At the end of July the GOP reported $501,000 in cash in their federal account and another $200,000 in cash in their state account at the end of June.

In their latest federal report Dems reported raising $1.087 million since January 1, 2019. That figure includes $457,000 in transfers from other committees.

That is just a snippet of the money story, of course. Money spent on campaigns and causes is pretty much out of control and often untraceable with a multitude of committees raising dark money and spending with abandon. In politics there never seems to be a recession.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. 

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020