We told you Monday about the Trump campaign's first foray into the ABQ TV market, a $110,000 buy from July 4-10. Now, here's the 30 second ad their running. It features a phone call to the police department:

You have reached the 911 police emergency line. Due to defunding of the police department we're sorry but no one is here to take your call, If you're calling to report a rape please press 1, to report a murder press 2, to report a home invasion press 3. For all other crimes leave your name and number and someone will get back to you. Our estimated wait time is currently five days. Goodbye.

The script plays out over a backdrop of rioting and looting. A sentence on screen reads, "Joe Biden's supporters are fighting to defund police departments." Also, "You won't be safe in Joe Biden's America" is printed on screen with a large picture of the Dem presidential candidate.

They couldn't say Biden is for defunding because he isn't. The ad appears aimed at the ABQ market which has an ongoing serious crime problem, but with Biden already parting ways with the defunders, it loses some of its punch. Biden's campaign, leading in NM in the early polling, has not announced any plans to come on the state's airwaves.

PUSHBACK TIME

It's about that time when a first term Governor starts getting pushback from the Legislature, and here it comes--in bipartisan fashion:

A bipartisan council of legislators agreed to investigate whether Lujan Grisham exceeded her authority by authorizing well over $30 million in emergency spending to address the COVID-19 pandemic. . .  The Legislative Council voted without opposition to direct its attorneys to review whether the emergency spending interferes with the Legislature’s power to appropriate state funds. The lawmakers also plan to ask Lujan Grisham to outline what authority she is relying on for the emergency orders.

That comes on the heels of that "nonbinding Memorial" that surfaced in the recent special session and was supported by Speaker Egolf and other top Dems. It called on the MLG administration to not fight for the dismissal of the landmark Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit that placed the state under court supervision to ensure better education for the many at risk public school students including Native Americans and those from low income families. The leadership never got around to having a debate and MLG went to court to get out from under the order. You haven't heard the last about this. . .

ALLIGATOR ALLEY

Gators, can you help out? Why is Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks under investigation and on administrative leave from his state job?  He says he doesn't know, only that a whistleblower complaint has been filed. And Gators, what about state Economic Development Secretary Alicia Keyes? Does she have her eyes on Hicks' job? Were just wondering. Email us if you have some answers. Thanks.

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