Thursday, December 22, 2022Merry Christmas, New Mexico Talk about a Happy New Year. Outgoing Attorney General Hector Balderas will be paid $232,500 a year on a three year contract as the new president of the Northern New Mexico College and Garnett Stokes, who speculation had possibly ending her career as president of UNM, has been offered a new deal for $662,000 a year by the UNM Regents. As the song says, nice work if you can get it. . . From the Regents to the UNM community: Noting the exceptionally positive outcome of a comprehensive evaluation process that included over 320 stakeholders, The University of New Mexico Board of Regents unanimously approved to extend the contract of Garnett S. Stokes for an additional three-year term, with an option for an additional two-year extension at the mutual agreement of the Board and the President. . .The amended contract increases Stokes’ total annual compensation from $601,000 to $662,000. That ought to be enough for some nice stocking stuffers at the Stokes' household. Balderas is making $95,000 a year as AG. Does his new salary mean he will make his home in Espanola? HISPANICS AND REPUBLICANS Call it the big fizzle--the talk about NM and Southwest Hispanics heading over to the GOP in '22. It didn't happen, although Hispanic men needed extra wooing to stay in the Dem column: In Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, Latinos have stuck with Democrats, and that has helped power the party's gains across a region where Latino population growth has exploded. It belies a conventional narrative that Democrats were universally ceding Latino voters to the Republican Party, a story line repeated throughout the run-up to the Nov. 8 midterms. Instead, indicators show the GOP in danger of losing Latino voters in this region, a prospect that could mean being boxed out of the Southwest for the long term. Dan Sena, whose firm Sena Kozar Strategies was involved in Spanish and English-language ads as well as strategy for races across the Southwest, said if there’s erosion within the Democratic Party, it is among Latino men.“The good news is at least in New Mexico, they were heavily persuadable through the course of the campaigns. We were able to help win them back in relatively stronger numbers,” Sena said. But he predicted it would be a fight that comes up every election year. “The challenge we have is you can’t treat them like they’re base voters. Hispanic men are no longer base voters. They are true persuadable voters.” QUESTION CORNER Reader Carmie Toulouse has a question about Hispanic leadership in the NM senate: I have a question for you Joe, under the leadership of Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart and Majority Leader Peter Wirth, where are the Hispanic women in the NM Senate when it comes to committee chairs?? Well, there are currently none, although a Native American female senator--Shannon Pinto--chairs the Indian Affairs Committee and Sen. Nancy Rodriguez is vice-chair of Senate Finance, considered the most powerful of the standing committees. THE TOP 7 What were the top seven political stories of 2022? We have our picks and shared them with Santa Fe talker Richard Eeds. Hint: #1 is not the mid-term election MERRY CHRISTMAS We live in a wonderful, almost fantasy-like environment in this Land of Enchantment. It is a gift that gives year round--the sunsets that make hearts soar; the mountains that inspire dreams; the never-ending landscapes that give a spiritual dimension to daily life. The contrast of this earthly perfection with our crazed, but beloved La Politica makes us that more inscrutable to the outside world. Thanks for joining me today and all the days of 2006 (and 2022). I look forward to more special times with you when we return in the new year.
Merry Christmas, New Mexico! Frank, take us out of here . . This is the home of New Mexico politics. Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.
  (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020 Wednesday, December 21, 2022Delivering: NM DC Delegation Brings Home Xmas Cheer: Early Childhood Amendment On The Move; More Uncle Sam Aid For Fire Victims; Big Budget For Los Alamos And Two NM Reps In Hispanic Leadership
Senator Martin Heinrich flexed his muscle and quieted talk that the necessary congressional approval of the constitutional amendment for early childhood education approved by 70 percent of voters would stall in the final hours. Heinrich, the state's senior senator, worked it hard and delivered the deal to tap the over $20 billion Land Grant Permanent School Fund. The approval language is in the giant budget bill expected to get final passage Friday. With the Dems keeping control of the Senate next year Heinrich can continue to lean on and work with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Over the years the New York Senator has shown himself to be a good friend to New Mexico. Thanks, Chuck. The amendment approval will be no thanks to Rep. Herrell who lost her re-election bid to Democrat Gabe Vasquez. She's already seeking a rematch in '24 but dragging her heels on early childhood is going to hurt her in the ABQ portions of the southern congressional district--the same area that cost her the seat in November. Vasquez has not yet taken office but he's already looking stronger. Imagine the TV spots Herrell's opposition to the Heinrich deal has given the Vasquez campaign. (Shout out to GOP state Rep. Rebecca Dow who did her best to get Herrell to change her mind. Maybe Dow should run for that seat?) BRINGING IT HOME  Heinrich remains key in watchdogging Los Alamos (and Sandia Labs) budgets from his perch as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as chairman of the Military Construction subcommittee. As for Lujan, his health is restored and he is starting to live up to the expectations placed on him. Northern Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (and Lujan) rose to the occasion in securing even more federal aid for victims of the historic northern fires this past summer. The first batch of funding came in at $2.5 billion and now another $1.4 billion is headed for approval. That's less than hoped but still a massive $3.9 billion that will directly impact the lives of thousands.  ABQ Dem Rep. Melanie Stansbury contributed to all of the above and also delivered over $84 million in water project funds for the state. She is fast becoming a go-to water expert in the Congress. Stansbury also helped push through over $9 million for expanding command offices at Kirtland Air Force Base, ensuring the facility stays up to date and kept off the list of bases in danger of being shut down. It's the clutch moments that count in politics. The early childhood amendment and shaping the huge omnibus bill to fund the government were must do's for the delegation. Working together they came through. There's only one more thing for them to do: keep it up. HISPANICS IN DC Rep. Leger Fernandez and Rep.-elect Vasquez have secured leadership spots in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus: Here is the CHC’s new leadership for the 118th Congress: CHC Chair – Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán Deputy Chair – Rep. Adriano Espaillat Vice Chair of Policy – Rep. Darren Soto Vice Chair of Member Engagement – Rep. Tony Cárdenas Vice Chair of Communications – Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Whip – Rep. Sylvia Garcia Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion – Rep.-elect Gabe Vasquez Freshman Representative – Rep.-elect Andrea Salinas Next Congress, we will have our largest, 42-Member caucus in history, and a record 9 new CHC Members. We look forward to our collective work as we leverage our powerful Hispanic voices to pass legislation and resources that benefit communities across the country. On January 3 Leger Fernandez will begin her second term and Vasquez will take the oath of office for the first time.
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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 2022 Tuesday, December 20, 2022Judge Expresses State's Yearning For CYFD Changes In New Year; Brutal Child Killing Prompts Judicial Rebuke Of Agency; Problem Remains On MLG's Doorstep, Plus: Breaking Down The NM Rural-Urban Divide
It's all too much for ABQ District Court Judge Stan Whitaker who had the dreary duty of presiding recently over the sentencing of Derrick Marquez who was found guilty of the brutal 2019 beating death of four year old James Dunklee Cruz. Said Whitaker from the bench:
We hear too much of CYFD going in and seeing folks and seeing children in situations where probably kids should be taken out. And we just don’t have that happening. And as a result, we see way too many children needlessly being brutalized, abused and ultimately killed. Marquez was given a life sentence but James is gone forever--like so many others. Whitaker, a Sandia High and UNM School of Law grad, has been on the district court bench since 2006. CYFD Secretary Barbara Vigil came aboard after MLG's first secretary was forced to abandon ship in the face of serious ethical allegations--a major disappointment since he was from out of state and brought hope for a culture change. He changed the culture all right--to benefit himself and his cronies. Now former NM Supreme Court Justice Vigil is in command but after nearly a year and half on the job still seems befuddled when appearing before legislative committees pressing for answers about the horrific child murders. GOP state senators are again backing a bill that would establish an independent ombudsman's office at CYFD that would investigate complaints, examine the failures and look for fixes. Sen. David Gallegos of SE NM: I'm glad that the judge stood up and supported this. And that is going to go a long way to give us the credibility we need for people to understand that this is life and death. I think this might be the year that we get it done. So, pray for us but keep us accountable. The Republicans criticize MLG's opposition to the ombudsman bill in the last legislative session and Democrats for tabling it. The Governor is quick to replace cabinet members, sometimes on a whim. Now it appears it is time to replace Secretary Vigil and finally bring leadership that will interrupt the killings and abuse. (And that ombudsman legislation deserves a full hearing as well.) The Governor was re-elected but if that election were solely on her administration's handling of CYFD we likely would have a Governor Ronchetti. She knows that and has the skills to fix this. So where's the plan? As Sen. Gallegos declared, "people need to understand that this is life and death." RURAL VS. URBAN
That divide played out between different precincts in Sandoval County. Take, for example, precincts of San Felipe and Cochiti Pueblos along I-25 and the Rio Grande in eastern Sandoval County. The 459 voters there went for Lujan Grisham 92% and 93%, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, just 34% of 533 voters in precinct 138 near Southern and Unser Blvds. in Rio Rancho voted for Lujan Grisham. In the Town of Bernalillo, the governor carried all six of the largest precincts by an average of 59.5%. The 8 precincts covering Placitas averaged 62% for the Democrat. Precincts covering Corrales just barely preferred the Democrat with an average of 52%. The communities along Highway 4 and the Santa Fe National Forest, including Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro and Jemez Springs were almost evenly split, but averaged a 54% preference for Republican Ronchetti. In Cuba and the western edge of Sandoval County, just 40% of voters supported the governor’s re-election. THE BOTTOM LINES ABQ Dem westside state Rep. Joy Garratt writes to update the employment status of Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela, a possible pick by the BernCo Commission to fill a westside state House vacancy and who we blogged about Monday: Having seen Yanira in action as an educator and with such varied lived experience, I am supporting her for appointment to House District 16. Here is her current job:
Dual Language Education New Mexico (DLeNM) 2019 - now
Professional Development Coordinator
New Mexico. I attached my letter of support sent for the two week House appointment that Marsella Duarte received--a lovely person as is Lan Sena, but Yanira's years of experience as an educator and former engineer are why I think she such a good fit for the legislature at this time. The Commission is expected to make the appointment to a two year term for House District 16 in January. 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 2022 Monday, December 19, 2022Progressives Appear In Line For An ABQ House Seat As BernCo Commission Chair Balks At Early Meeting, Plus: New Commissioner Pledges Behavioral Health Redo, And: A Not So Merry Ronchetti Resurfaces
That seat was held by moderate Dem Rep. Moe Maestas who after a bitter battle between commission progressives and moderates was named to fill the westside state Senate vacancy created when Jacob Candelaria resigned. But the pleas of Maestas and Commissioner Michael Quezada for Chairwoman Adriann Barboa to call a meeting before the end of the year to fill the House vacancy have fallen on deaf ears. That means it will be filled by the new five member commission that will be seated January 1 and which will be decidedly more progressive than the current panel. Kindergarten teacher and former state House aide Melissa Duarte was appointed to a two week term to fill out the rest of Maestas' term but under redistricting the boundaries of the district change January 1 and a new representative must be named to fill that vacancy for a two year term. Duarte, an ally of Maestas and his lobbyist wife Vanessa Alarid, is not a progressive favorite and another appointment seems doubtful. The progressive who could be tapped is educator Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela. Also, Lan Sena, a former appointed ABQ city councilor who was defeated for election to her westside seat, is interested. The swing to a progressive county commission--a first in recent political memory--is made possible by the victories of Commissioners-elect Barbara Baca in the North Valley, who replaces progressive Debbie O'Malley, and Eric Olivas of the East Mountains who replaces moderate Dem Charlene Pyskoty. They will join Commissioner Barboa to form a progressive majority while Commissioner Quezada and Walt Benson, the commission's lone Republican, will be in the minority on key issues. The dividing line will be particularly sharp over the sprawling Santolina development proposed for the far westside, a project despised by the progressives but supported by Quezada and lobbyist Alarid. HIGH HOPES
Hopes are especially high for Commissioner-elect Eric Olivas, a former chair of the Civilian Police Oversight Board and a small business owner who campaigned on a detailed plan to make more progress with the behavioral health tax. That includes: --Correcting "critical flaws' in the current behavioral health system. --Collaboration with the city of ABQ and state to create a Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Authority, similar to the joint City/County Water Authority, to jointly manage all behavioral health programs and funds. --Expanding the number of substance abuse treatment beds available and streamline the admissions process. Behavioral health and homelessness are two of the most thorny problems facing local governments this century. But Olivas along with ABQ Mayor Keller are aggressively flooding the zone with ideas and concepts as the search for answers continues. Could 2023 be the turning point? NOT SO MERRY  Mark Ronchetti
@MarkRonchettiNM
· When we proposed giving a portion of the massive surplus back to tax payers the governor ran an ad saying we would have to cut funding for education and police to do it. Clearly that was a lie. MLG has been skeptical of rebates but did approve a batch that went out last summer. Ronchetti's plan would have made annual rebates automatic if the surplus grew by a certain amount, while MLG and the Dems want more consideration before approving rebates. But all of that was litigated November 8. For Mark it may be time to put a wreath on the door, some presents under the tree and don a Santa outfit. No one likes a grinch. 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 2022 |
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