Gov. Martinez has pulled out the good cop, bad cop routine on Gary King. The Republican Governors Association signed up for bad cop duty, coming with the first negative TV ad about the Dem Guv nominee's record as attorney general. Simultaneously, Susana starts off as good cop in her first ad of the general election, talking of her humble beginnings.

The RGA TV attack on King--to the tune of some $120,000 on broadcast stations and another $20k or so on cable--was utterly predictable, having been telegraphed by anyone with the title of "political insider." They warned that the Guv would come early for King in an effort to define him out of the gate and try to end this Guv contest before the July 4th fireworks graced the skies above Isotopes Park.

And then there's the first round of polling. If King shows signs of life in it, the perception of the race could tilt. The negative TV ads could have an impact any nonpartisan surveys taken in the weeks ahead. That could make it harder for King to raise money.

King's last report showed him with less than $80,000 in cash and in no position to go toe-to-toe with Martinez in the early rounds. But to see no response at all to the RGA assault--not from the King campaign or the state Democrats--not from anyone--was quite stunning. Are we going to have a campaign here or a concession?

BREGMAN AND KING


TAX HIKE MANIA

All of a sudden--like weeds after a spring rain--tax increase proposals are sprouting all over the metro. Tax hikes in an anemic economy like this, you ask?

At today's ABQ city council meeting several councilors will push to raise the gross receipts tax in the city by one-eighth of a cent. That would take us over the already high 7 percent mark. It's a tax increase that everyone can love to hate. Liberals especially despise it because the tax is harshest on low income families. Conservatives scorn it for the burden it places on businesses.

The councilors who want the increase say its needed to fund additional programs for the mentally ill and homeless. Yet even after scaling back the number of vacant police officer positions they funded in the recently approved budge, the city is still funding at least 100 positions that will not be filled in the next year. Why not use that money?

In a budget of nearly $500 millions there is surely cash to be found for one of the most pressing priorities in the city--the treatment of the mentally ill and homeless. While the councilors look for it, Mayor Berry--if need be--can use his veto pen to thwart any tax boost that makes it to his desk. . .

And then there's the Bernalillo County Commission. It's discussing a property tax increase to fund open space projects. The increase would only raise $1.5 million a year. You need to raise taxes to find that puny amount? How much a year does the county spend on out-of-state travel? Start with that and you'll be at a million in no time. . . .

It's too late to gripe about the property tax increase imposed on homeowners in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.  It snuck up on them like a thief in the night. . . .

MAKE A MARTYR?

David Correia

UNM President Robert Frank is getting what seems like some pretty sage advice--messing with the job of UNM assistant professor David Correia--who has been in the forefront of the protests over APD's fatal police shootings--is a loser. Firing or marginalizing Correia would only make him a martyr to the cause and in turn cause UNM major grief nationally and internationally grief. We've had enough of that with the publicity over the fatal shooting.

And why would Frank want to stymie Correia? A university is supposed to be dedicated to the open and free expression of ideas--even if those ideas are unpopular with the populace at large. You don't get much of that vibe when you read the UNM statements about Correia.

Corriea is charged with "felony battery" on an officer, but if you look at video of the sit-in at the Mayor's office where the alleged battery took place, it looks like much ado about nothing--or very little.

Meantime, Frank and the entire city establishment need to chill. What did they expect when homeless James Boyd was shot and killed by APD? Or when relatives of over two dozen shooting victims heard the Justice Department report that their relative may have needlessly had their life taken?

THE BOTTOM LINES

In a first draft of the Friday blog we misidentified the state US Senator Jon Tester represents. He is from Montana.

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