Last night the measure was amended and then deferred to the Council's June 21 meeting.
We say the anti-Keller contingent because the proposal is being sponsored by Councilors Louie Sanchez and Rene Grout who are Keller's harshest critics. Six of the nine councilors must approve to get that November vote.
If supporters had the votes last night they would not have gone for the deferral so the suspense continues.
Neutral observers such as UNM political science Professor Tim Krebs urged the city last night to maintain the current strong Mayor/Council form of government that has been in effect since 1974 and was adopted after the Council/Manager form devolved into chaos.
Where do the Councilors stand? As with most issues, this council is very squishy. Our Alligators and longtime observers can't firmly whip the vote. They see the odds as against the proposal making the ballot but can't be certain. We asked one of our Senior Alligators with long city experience for analysis:
Joe, those who did not take this seriously are waking up. They will now need to pressure the Council. I see progressives worried about people of color having less say in city government without a strong Mayor putting heat on Mid-Heights Dem Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn who is not saying where she stands. Ditto for Councilor Benton from Downtown who indicates he has problems with the Council/Manager from of government but won't say how he will vote. Councilor Davis is also suspect. He too has been mum on his final vote. Councilor Dan Lewis is also on the fence and needs to be pushed off by his Republican supporters.
This is one time progressives and the business community appear united against a ballot proposal. If they don't get busy and kill it at the Council level they are going to have to come up with considerable advertising money to make sure voters reject it in November.
Also joining the debate is longtime Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima who labors under the Council/Manager government but finds it unappealing for ABQ:
The main reason is accountability. I think Mayor Keller is doing a very good job of running the city in light of all of the issues surrounding all cities such as rising crime, homelessness, and residents with mental health concerns. I've been fortunate to serve my community for almost thirty years, sixteen as mayor. These last few years have been challenging, to say the least. Fortunately, I had the support of my colleagues on council to keep my city safe and moving forward. Although I have great colleagues to work with, there are a few things that I was powerless to prevent since I have just one vote like the others. I am allowed to propose policy, but I have to sell my vision to the council, but again that doesn't always happen.
To be continued. . .
BY THE WAY
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| Sen. O'Neill |
Debbie was the founder and first director of the non-profit development corporation responsible for the Sawmill Community Land Trust, and through her elected positions as a City Councilor and County Commission has continued to support and direct resources to the planning and development of affordable housing and housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. She has also been a strong advocate for behavioral and mental health support services for families and children in the community.
O'Malley pushed through a measure as a county commissioner to build a tiny homes project for the homeless. It had a difficult start but since has stabilized.
We asked Bill "The Fighting Irishman" O'Neill about the speculation that O'Malley may run against him:
That's been out there for a while. All I know is that I have respected her and have had a good working relationship with her as well.
We asked O'Neill if he was planning to retire from the Senate. He said "no."
O'Neill is well-liked and an intrepid campaigner. A specialist in criminal justice he is also an author of books and plays and served in the House before taking the District 13 Valley Senate seat in 2013.
He has a lifetime score of 95 percent from the progressive Conservation Voters NM so it would be interesting to see what issues O'Malley would use against him, if she does make a challenge. She has had 20 years in city and county elected offices so her voting record would also be on the line.
DEFENDING STANSBURY
Your quote from a Senator (did you mean Senior?) Alligator that Stansbury's "no" vote on the debt ceiling deal was a "far-left" position is wacky. (Yes, Mitchell, we meant "Senior" Gator.) It was not "far left" to be opposed to the debt ceiling deal which added (1) work requirements that costs the government far more than it can possibly save, but it does definitely punish the small number of poor people who are unable to work otherwise; (2) restarting student loan payments after three years of pausing, with ballooned interest to add insult to injury; and (3) a fossil fuel deal Sen. Joe Manchin has long wanted, and where there can be no environmental-based lawsuits filed to challenge it. Oh, and for a bill designed to cut the debt, there was no repeal of the 2017 Trump/McConnell Tax Cuts which blew trillions into the debt.
Yes, Melanie Stansbury was the lone NM Congressperson to vote against the pro-corporate and pro-military-industrial complex deal. However, one may reasonably ask why Stansbury and other progressives in Congress did not lead rallies across the nation, or do anything for the past two months, other than sit in rooms with insiders, and let this monstrosity happen. Meaning, the "no" votes from progressives were merely performative, and certainly not a "Profile in Courage."
This is the home of New Mexico politics.
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023