Gonzales has consistently refused--some would say arrogantly so--to equip his deputies with cameras. Now that it is law Gonzales still won’t acquiesce. Is he signing his political death warrant by opposing a law that could put to rest an issue that has been a nail in his shoe?

Gonzales, who is a veteran lawman, is somewhat inexplicably still atop the potential list of challengers to take on fellow Democrat and ABQ Mayor Tim Keller who will seek re-election next year. The Sheriff has no executive or business experience outside of law enforcement but with a crime wave that continues to crest his law enforcement credentials keep him trending. But the camera controversy could be enough for Keller to take him down in ABQ where the cameras are popular. 

However, a member of Manny’s circle says the rejoicing in the Keller camp could be short lived because Gonzales will address the camera issue next week and put a new twist on it. 

Gonzales’ refusal to bend on the cameras even as they are mandated by law reinforces the criticism that he is inflexible and rigid, not qualities wanted in the city’s primary political leader. Let’s see what he has to say next week. 

THE SUGAR HIGH

While Manny fights his lonely camera battle Keller continues to spend federal coronavirus relief money to plug the budget hole being dug by the pandemic. Cost-cutting is being kept to a minimum as Keller bets that the economic downer will clear up after a year or so. If that bet doesn't pay off, come next July the Mayor could be prepping a re-election campaign in the middle of layoffs and budget-cutting that currently he is avoiding.

Today the local economy is on a sugar high. Tens of thousands of unemployed get an extra $600 a week but that ends later this month. Federal payroll protection money has helped many NM businesses stay afloat, but if there's not another bill from Congress that impact will soon wear off. Then there's the $1,200 checks to every citizen that kept the landlords happy and the aforementioned $150 million the city received from the Feds in pandemic relief. Throw in that tax increase Keller and the city council approved for public safety in 2018 and that puts some $60 million a year into city coffers. That's a lot of sweetener for a very sour economy.

The reality of what future ABQ faces is not yet clear but it is not the one we are confronting today. What that reality will be won't be known until the sugar completely wears off. Sometimes a crash follows a high.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020