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| Pena arrested (Rosales, Journal) |
But the arrest of 2022 unsuccessful GOP House District 14 candidate Solomon Pena is a major political setback for state and national Republicans.
An avowed Trumper, Pena puts the patina of radicalization back on the state's minority party just as they try to regroup after another round of devastating election losses. As one of our Senior Alligators put it:
This will cast a pall on any hopes of the GOP to look legitimate this session. This is also going to look bad for the party nationally.
Prominent Republicans who donated to Pena are the first to suffer a bad look. The Jalepeno Corp., headed by former GOP chairman and oilman Harvey Yates, donated $5,000 to Pena and '22 GOP Guv candidate Greg Zanetti came with $250.00.
The NM GOP came with this Monday night:
These recent accusations against Solomon Pena are serious, and he should be held accountable if the charges are validated in court. RPNM condemns all forms of violence. We are thankful that nobody was injured by his actions.
The progressive Group ProgressNowNM tried to paint the GOP with a broad brush in the Pena arrest:
Whether it's #January6th, the kidnapping of the Michigan Governor, or right here at home, (violence) is their go to when their feelings are hurt.
ABQ Mayor Tim Keller joined in:
This radicalism is a threat to our city, our state, and our nation. We will continue to push back against hate in all forms and stop political violence.
The story was featured on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC evening broadcast and attracted other national attention.
Pena, 39, an ex-con who served nearly seven years in prison for "smash and grab" crimes, was defeated in a landslide by Dem Rep. Miguel Garcia in his bid for the Downtown/Valley district. But he refused to concede and claimed the election was stolen.
Garcia did not report any shootings at his home but neighboring Dem state rep and soon to be House Speaker Javier Martinez showed law enforcement bullet holes in his house.
While APD Chief Medina labeled Pena, the "mastermind" in a conspiracy in which he hired and paid four other men to do the actual shootings, there is still the question of whether Pena was directed in the conspiracy by someone higher up. Are there further connections to explore locally and nationally?
Given the nature of the violence and the menacing atmospherics that continue to surround the MAGA movement that seems to be a question for new Bernallio County District attorney Sam Bregman to look into.
APD retired sergeant Dan Klein says the political nature of the crime may be the gateway for a federal investigation of the shootings as domestic terrorism.
SEEKING THE CENTERPIECE
That includes legal recreational pot, a constitutional amendment to beef up early childhood education and repeal of an antiquated anti-abortion statute.
Other bills that had the public pulling up a chair to watch the Roundhouse action have also become law, including right to die, large teacher pay raises, free college tuition, expanded free child care and a revamping of the personal income tax rates that made them more progressive.
So what could serve as a legislative centerpiece today? One nominee would be a complete revamp of the Children Youth and Families Department and how it deals with the ongoing abuse of children that has repeatedly brought both tragedy and shame to the state.
Another could be innovative programs that would move the needle on public school performance. Former state Rep. Dick Minzner offers up Mississippi's successful reforms as an example. He argues that with funding no longer an issue, New Mexico must change the way it educates youth or stay stuck in a low-performing funk, albeit a well funded one.
Neither CYFD or major reforms of public ed have found a sponsor in the Governor or the legislative leadership. No wonder. These problems are not low lying fruit like legal pot or abortion. They are among our stickiest dilemmas. Making them the new legislative centerpieces would require strong and courageous leadership.
AN R CENTERPIECE
If the Republicans had a majority in Santa Fe this school choice bill from Sen. Craig Brandt would surely qualify as the centerpiece of the session. As things stand, it's hard to see the Dems and the teachers unions going anywhere near it:
The Education Freedom Account Act provides for establishing Education Freedom Accounts, which can be used to pay for private school tuition, tutoring services, textbooks, and instructional materials, nationally standardized assessments, and other educational charges approved by the department. It outlines the application process and procedures for parents and education service providers, as well as the rules and responsibilities of the parents and students.
THE BOTTOM LINES
While Democrats hand out money like it’s candy, I’ll hand out candy like it’s money. The 60-day legislative session begins tomorrow. $12 Billion proposed budget.
Handing out money the Dems will indeed do, but it won't be the $12 billion the senator states. The proposed budgets from the Governor and LFC are both about $9.4 billion. Feel better now, Crystal?
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023