Lujan Finds Sea Legs In First Six Months As US Senator; Can He Match His Predecessors? Plus: Readers Opine On The Latest Political Doings

Lujan at Los Alamos Labs (Facebook)

Six months into his six year term as a US Senator Ben Ray Lujan seems to be finding his sea legs. After serving six terms in the US House there was no need for training wheels. 

Lujan has been touted as the answer to the state's need for a senator who concentrates on bringing the bacon home in federally dependent New Mexico in the tradition of Senators Pete Domenici, Dennis Chavez, Clint Anderson and others. Recent activity by the freshman lawmaker as outlined by the specialty energy publication E&E gives a peek on the progress he's making on that front: 

Luján. . . has already shown his legislative chops by rallying support for attaching a bipartisan provision to recently passed innovation legislation that would direct $17 billion in new spending for DOE labs (including Sandia and Los Alamos) over five years. . . Lawmakers, policymakers and advocates say Luján has the intelligence, drive and, perhaps most importantly, pragmatic style that could allow him to find openings. . .They say the combination of his significant experience and relative youth — he turned 49 last week — could allow him to have an impact on energy issues for years to come, a career trajectory similar to former New Mexico stalwarts Sens. Pete Domenici (R) and Jeff Bingaman (D). "I think people recognize that he has that combination of policy smarts and an understanding of the politics of the situation. In order to get the policy right, you have to get the politics right," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a former House colleague of Luján.

Some argue the state's previous senate delegation was somewhat unbalanced with both Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich experts in and passionate about environmental issues. Lujan is involved with those matters too, but being a more political animal his success as a senator will be by taking the well-worn path of the predecessors we mentioned. 

Heinrich's strength is the environment and renewable energy, topics on which he is building a national reputation. With New Mexico's vast public lands and potential to lead in renewables, there is plenty to keep him busy. 

Heinrich is also chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction so he too has a hand on the pan that fries the bacon.

All in all, the Lujan-Heinrich senatorial pairing appears to give New Mexico a broader brush in DC.

EARLY GUV

New Mexico R's received a lot of attention this week with the entry of Greg Zanetti into the 2022 race for the party's gubernatorial nomination. Now comes the Republican Governors Association PAC to try to soften up Dem Gov. MLG in the very early going. They come with this digital ad "exposing Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's refusal to be held accountable for the multiple scandals engulfing her administration."

NO BIBLE THUMPING

Former Corrales Mayor Philip Gasteyer writes of the swearing in this week of new ABQ Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury: 

Joe: No more bibles? I found it interesting that Rep. Stansbury took her oath of office with her hand on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the U.S. Constitution. I’m suggesting to the incumbent Corrales Mayor that she use the Alameda Land Grant and the N.M. Constitution when/if reelected next March. Keep up the great reporting. 

MORE SANTA FE RAISES?

A Santa Fe insider comes with a heads-up:

FYI- The governor is pushing a rule change at the State Personnel Office to allow for payment of leave accrued by executive staff during the pandemic. The plan will cost $2.6 million and provide raises to around 1,000 employees (an average payout of $2,600). The employees receiving raises include some of the highest paid officials in government, from cabinet secretaries to governor’s office staff. Given the recent findings of the State Auditor on paying bonuses, it will be interesting to see if this stands. The issue will be heard by the Personnel Board on Friday.

A Guv spokeswoman comes with a response: 

. . . The measure is for all rank-and-file state employees who worked tirelessly on behalf of New Mexicans throughout the pandemic and were unable to take time off. The governor is deeply appreciative of their hard work and wants to make sure that they aren't punished for it, which is why this measure will enable those who carried over excess leave from last year due to being unable to take time off to recoup the value of the leave that they earned. To be clear, because clearly others will try to set an inflammatory and incorrect narrative about pay increases, these are not "raises.". . . 

This is intended to make whole all state employees who could not avail themselves of the benefits they were and are entitled to as employees. Additionally, DFA has run the numbers and confirmed that every agency is fully able to absorb the cost, requiring no additional funds. . . I emphasize this is not an increase in cost to anyone. This is about making sure that hardworking rank-and-file state employees don't lose out on the value of time off simply because they were working nonstop on behalf of the state 

THE BOTTOM LINES

It's North Dakota not South Dakota, as we blogged in a first draft, that New Mexico could soon pass to become the second largest oil producing state in the nation. . .

And more on lieutenant governor. In a first take we said that a Lt. Gov. in early statehood ascended to the governorship via appointment when the sitting governor died. We inferred that this was a one time occasion, but one of our history mavens comes with this: 

Actually, at least three New Mexico lieutenant governors became governor, including that one in the 1910s you mentioned, one after the death of Governor Seligman in the early 1930s, and Tom Bolack in late 1962 after Gov. Ed Mechem resigned to become US Senator, replacing Dennis Chavez.

However, no lieutenant governor has ever been elected Governor. But have a good weekend anyway, Howie. 

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021