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Following the below posted Press Release by Mayoral Candidate and Republican Asenath Kepler is an Op-Ed piece I wrote and was published in both the Albuquerque Journal North (subscription may be required) and the Santa Fe New Mexican (interesting comments). While my support and endorsement of Mayor Coss has been announced, I still feel that the true premise of my Op-Ed is about the poor use of...
Sheriff Greg Solano Blog - 1:24 a.m.
Time for some deep insider notes from the Roundhouse as we approach the heart of Legislature 2010. Our Alligators and wall-leaners are on the job during what may be the most critical legislative session of them all. First, something that will come as no surprise--the insider take on the fate of that House-approved half percent increase in the state's gross receipts tax when it is taken up in t...
Joe Monahan - Mon 11:28 p.m.
Dean speaking to 5000+ in Seattle, August 2003 Howard Dean is visiting New Mexico TODAY so come on out and discuss what's up in today's Democratic landscape with former presidential candidate Howard Dean, the founder of Democracy for America and......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 11:28 p.m.
Today the Senate voted to override the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 531. SB 531 was introduced by Senator Timothy M. Keller (D-Bernalillo-17) and was passed almost unanimously by both chambers during last year's regular legislative session. Last week the......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 5:44 p.m.
The Senate voted Monday to overrideGov. Bill Richardson's veto of a 2009 bill that would have required state agencies to share confidential data with the Legislative Finance Committee. The tension between the LFC and state agencies over lack of sharing data has simmered for years. But last month, The Independent revealed, in an exclusive story, that an Attorney General’s report shows the state had...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 5:26 p.m.
The Hispanic Education Act’s next move in the House is a floor vote, after the House version of the bill, HB 150, cleared the House Education Committee this morning on a seven to three vote. On the Senate side, the final committee for SB 132 is Senate Finance. The Hispanic Education Act has gained momentum [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 5:08 p.m. - 3 clicks 
Diane Denish will file for governor tomorrow with more than 10,200 signatures, including some from every New Mexico county -- all 33 of them. Instead of hiring paid canvassers, as some campaigns do, the Denish campaign mobilized more than 400......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 4:27 p.m.
The 2010 regular session will end with an answer to the state’s budget problem. But will it be a lasting answer? Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said Monday that the odds are “pretty high” that lawmakers will need to come back to Santa Fe for a special session before next year’s regular 60-day session. “There’s [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 4:10 p.m. - 3 clicks
U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., had little to say today about his looming election battle against former Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, saying he’s more focused on doing his job. “I’ve been working on being a congressman, not campaigning,” Teague said in an interview at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. He said he’s been working hard for [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 3:56 p.m. - 5 clicks
The sign posted on the door of the Senate Finance Committee room is clear: no domestic partnerships hearing until the budget is done. “This session is about fiscal appropriations,” Senator and Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said succinctly. Sen. Smith said he hopes to start in on House Bill 2, the appropriations bill, on [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 3:22 p.m. - 2 clicks
Today the New Mexico House passed House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), to require audio and video broadcasting of legislative interim committees beginning this year. HJM 15, which passed today by a margin of 62-2......
Democracy for New Mexico - Mon 3:22 p.m.
The House easily passed a memorial today that, if also approved by the Senate, will direct legislative staff to begin webcasting interim committee meetings held around the state. The debate on House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, was mostly cordial. The memorial passed 65-2 with only Democratic Reps. Eliseo Lee Alcon [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 1:33 p.m. - 3 clicks
After consolidating three bills into one, the Senate Rules Committee made a few more big changes to a bill designed to reform the State Investment Council. “Blending these three bill together we finally have true reform,” said Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque. The new bill would change the State Investment Council (SIC) in several ways: The Governor would be [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 12:50 p.m. - 5 clicks
Secretary of State Mary Herrera is sounding the alarm as loud as she can at the Roundhouse: there isn’t enough money for 2010 primary or general election. In a letter sent to legislators Herrera says as of now the state is $467,800 short for the primary and $784,450 short for the general election. “I’m screaming,” said Herrera, [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 12:50 p.m. - 5 clicks
“The House had had this a number of years,” Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, said of the trophy, “and we’re glad that they finally now have the fortitude, the self-control and feel good enough about themselves that they can go ahead and bring this back.” The House had been on a winning streak in [...]...
New Mexico Independent - Mon 12:50 p.m. - 5 clicks
Lujan vs. Denish Will the real New Mexico Democratic Party please stand up? House Speaker Ben Lujan has called out Lt. Governor Denish for dissing a House approved increase in the state gross receipts tax; Big Bill is expressing worry about the House passed surcharge on higher income taxpayers; President Obama is proposing to hike the tax brackets for top tier taxpayers and some Dems in ...
Joe Monahan - Mon 12:07 a.m. - 3 clicks
The juxtaposition of stories in the Albuquerque Journal today is remarkable. There is a front page story that is not much more than a frontal assault on environmentalists for wanting tough emissions rules put in place. They trotted out their traditional whiners like Teri Cole (Who I find I agree a lot with on some issues) and Harvey Yates (Republican GOP Chair and Oil Tycoon). Th...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Sun 7:44 a.m. - 8 clicks
Mayor Coss, Sheriff Solano Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano announced his endorsement of Mayor David Coss yesterday, citing his ability to bring people together to solve pressing issues in Santa Fe and reduce crime. “I continue to be impressed......
Democracy for New Mexico - Sat 12:05 p.m.
This is a guest blog by Dana Schultz Millen of Albuquerque. Since October of 2003, Dana has been the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign. When I first heard of Howard Zinn’s death, I......
Democracy for New Mexico - Sat 10:28 a.m.
According to Equality New Mexico, SB 183, the domestic partnership bill, will not be heard in the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon, as previously announced. The Senate intends to act on House Bill 2, the State Budget, before they move......
Democracy for New Mexico - Sat 10:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
Construction company owner, Dan Serrano , an advocate for splitting up the Albuquerque Public School's district and creating a separate district on the city's Westside, announced his 2010 campaign for a seat on the Bernalillo County Commission. He's vying for the District 1 seat being vacated by Alan Armijo is term-limited after his second consecutive term. The Democrat father of three g...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Sat 9:49 a.m. - 2 clicks
More good news on the health care reform front about support for the public option and other changes needed to improve legislation. Today, Rep. Martn Heinrich (NM-01) sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House detailing his recommendations......
Democracy for New Mexico - Fri 4:01 p.m.
I just announced my endorsement for Mayor David Coss . You can read the press release below. At the end of the day, I just think he's the right leader for Santa Fe and has the ability to bring people together to solve pressing issues and reduce crime. Last summer there was a peak in residential burglaries. Working with the Mayor and the City Police we were able to bring...
Sheriff Greg Solano Blog - Fri 3:27 p.m. - 2 clicks
Edward & Cayetana Romero with Colón at campaign office opening Brian Colón's campaign for Lt. Governor continued to build momentum Thursday night by garnering the support of 70% of the elected delegates in San Juan County, according to a statement......
Democracy for New Mexico - Fri 11:01 a.m. - 3 clicks
NPR reported yesterday about the Asarco smelter in El Paso. It finally closed and a trustee is overseeing a $52 million cleanup project. Some are doubtful how far the money will go. From the Recasting Asarco site. Houghton [Texas Transportation......
Cocoposts - Fri 8:22 a.m. - 7 clicks
We are having to come home early. If we are lucky we will leave DC about 12 noon, just ahead of the big storm coming in to the east coast. We had to change reservations and now will have to go through Florida to get home. All flights are being cancelled in the region after 2PM. Bummer. ...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Fri 4:24 a.m. - 2 clicks
This is a guest blog by U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat who represents New Mexico's Third Congressional District in Northern New Mexico. For almost a year, health insurance reform has been under intense debate in Congress. It has......
Democracy for New Mexico - Thu 11:29 p.m. - 10 clicks
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson , who’s sounding more and more like a potential presidential candidate, plans to announce his “Three Point-Plan for Economic Prosperity” Tuesday at a press event in Washington. Ahead of the trip, Johnson has been meeting with economists from around the country to discuss his plan . “We believe we have adopted a plan to bring A...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Thu 8:48 p.m. - 6 clicks
Great to see progress on this government transparency legislation. Under legislation sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), the audio and video broadcasting of legislative interim committees would be required beginning this year. House Joint Memorial 15 unanimously passed the......
Democracy for New Mexico - Thu 4:26 p.m.
Comments on healthcare and funding at the New Mexico Primary Care Association press conference, Thursday, February 4, 2010. Recognizing the importance of New Mexico's primary care providers......
State Senator Dede Feldman - Thu 2:06 p.m. - 2 clicks
Talk about changing the subject. Can you believe the deluge of news coverage over that domestic partners bill in Santa Fe? We know Big Bill, who allowed the measure to be introduced in this budget session, has to love the way it is diverting public attention away from the worst state budget mess in a gazillion years. We bet some of the legislative leadership also does. Consideration of the ...
Joe Monahan - Wed 11:26 p.m. - 3 clicks
'American leadership is absent from space – is this the future we will leave to our children? I hope not,' Schmitt, a former Apollo astronaut and U.S. Senator says. Editors note : On Monday, President Barack Obama ditched plans for America to return to the moon. While pledging to increase NASA's budget by six billion dollars over the next five years he calle...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 7:49 p.m. - 4 clicks
Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya , the only woman to hold the post here, wants a second term, and on Wednesday night she hosted her first campaign event at Artichoke Cafe in Albuquerque . In her first term, Montoya, a native New Mexican and mother of two girls, said she increased the use of technology and budgeted updates, provided hands-on assistance to taxpayers, tackled tax ...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 6:27 p.m. - 7 clicks
Carlsbad Mayoral Candidate Wendy Amato presents a $1,000 check to Jonah’s Food Pantry Wendy Amato, who wants to be Carlsbad's first female mayor, is forgoing yard signs and giving the money that she would have spent producing them to a community food pantry "Think of all the money candidates spend on yard signs that could be going to help make our community better." Amato said. “It doe...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 2:06 p.m. - 6 clicks
The New Mexico State Senate today passed SB 96, on a vote of 38 to 2. This measure's sponsor Senator Wilson Beffort , R-Albuquerque, said it is aimed at protecting public employees who report illegal and unethical conduct is critical for ethics reform. She said, "Those who retaliate would face money damages, in addition to any criminal charges they would face based on the illegal conduc...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 1:40 p.m. - 5 clicks
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 244 has endorsed Brian Colón in the Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor. "Brian Colón has proven to be a strong advocate for the public employees of New Mexico. He understands that fire fighters have a critical role in public safety for our community," said Diego Arencón, President of IAFF Local 244. Local 244 repres...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 10:45 a.m. - 4 clicks
'New Mexico needs a leader who is honest, conservative and fiscally responsible. Doug is that leader,' Forbes says Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Doug Turner has picked up the endorsement of Forbes Magazine CEO and financial expert Steve Forbes “I am proud to endorse Republican candidate Doug Turner for governor,” Forbes said. “Doug knows how to manage and grow a successful...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 9:21 a.m. - 4 clicks
“We must keep White Peak open to hunters and the public,” the former land Commissioner says By Ray Powell State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons has been at the center of controversy for his decision to trade away White Peak state lands in northern New Mexico. Sportsmen, elected officials, leaders from northern New Mexico communities, and I have been critical of the e...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Wed 9:09 a.m. - 5 clicks
Tonight Undersheriff Robert Garcia and I hit the Democratic Party forum for the District 1 County Commission seat currently held by Commissioner Harry Montoya. Our Santa Fe County Democratic Chair Richard Ellenberg played moderator and read questions to the candidates who each had a chance to introduce themselves and give opening comments before answering questions. The current candidates for...
Sheriff Greg Solano Blog - Wed 1:40 a.m. - 18 clicks
Taos winter sunset No voter rebellion in Albuquerque last night. $616 million in bond issues were approved by 72 percent of the voters. Of course, the anti-tax increase crowd can argue that approval of the bonds did not raise taxes and thus are not any indication that New Mexico voters are willing to add to their tax burden to help solve the state's $600 million budget gap. But something is...
Joe Monahan - Tue 11:27 p.m. - 6 clicks
BREAKING NEWS The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the New Mexico Supreme Court has agreed to grant Attorney General Gary King's emergency petition -- just one day after it was filed -- effectively putting a halt to four land exchanges at Whites Peak. The State Land Office has until February 15th to respond. As we first reported last night, King believes Land Commissioner Pat Lyo...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Tue 5:22 p.m. - 6 clicks
Think what the Albuquerque Journal would do if Democrat Governor Bill Richardson has entered into a transaction that caused a lot of heartache with citizens and that ended up being taken directly to the Supreme Court by the State Attorney General Gary King. Do you think that story might be at the top of the front page in bold headlines? I am pretty sure it would be. Now think about t...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Tue 8:50 a.m. - 6 clicks
What do you call a wolf with $2.4 billion budget gripped in his jaws? UNM Regent. What nice teeth you have! Jamie Koch was confirmed for another six years. Story in the New Mexico Independent. He said he was humbled......
Cocoposts - Tue 8:50 a.m. - 4 clicks
Animal stories are always in the Chicago Tribune. You can count on them for the latest mauling or abuse news. Or news of Oprah's new springer spaniel puppies. Today is about concern for groundhogs and the appropriateness of dragging them......
Cocoposts - Feb 1
How would you feel if the legislature passed a bill that said all New Mexico police officers no longer had to qualify on firearms training several times a year. Right now the State Police are required to take training every four months. But a bill offered by Senator Stuart Ingle of Clovis says that those 17,000 people who are carrying licensed concealed weapons in New Mexico shou...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Feb 1 - 5 clicks
… joined the Union as the 26th state on this date in 1837. “Derived from the Indian word Michigama, meaning great or large lake.” The State Nickname is the “Great Lake State”. Others include “Wolverine State” or “Water Winter Wonderland”. The State motto is “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice” (If you seek a pleasant penins...
NewMexiKen - Feb 1 - 10 clicks
When I am at home and check some websites there are ads saying Albuquerque mom make $567 (or some such figure) a week working at home. I am on the road tonight, far from home, and on the web there’s a photo of a woman making money working at home and she looks identical [...]...
NewMexiKen - Feb 1 - 5 clicks
Ortiz y Pino More intensity in that Dem race for lieutenant governor as we begin a new month and move ever closer to a critical mid-March test for the five contenders. Perceived front runner Brian Colon was taking hits over the weekend from both left and right, even as he hosted the opening of his ABQ headquarters. The camp of ABQ Dem State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino , the most liberal of ...
Joe Monahan - Jan 31 - 5 clicks
Democrat lieutenant governor primary candidate Brian Colón , who kicked off his 2010 campaign last fall, opened his state campaign headquarters office in Albuquerque --on Sunday afternoon. Colón urged over 150 people who attended the office opening to participate in Thursday's Bernalillo County ward meetings -- where delegates will be elected to the party's state pre-primary nominating co...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 31 - 6 clicks
Patrick Davis , a former University of New Mexico Police Lieutenant and the youngest New Mexico graduate of the FBI's National Academy , announced his 2010 candidacy for Bernalillo County Sheriff at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel & Convention Center on Sunday. Davis, a Bernalillo County Democrat, has served in the law enforcement community for 10 years, and is currently serving as a...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 31 - 7 clicks
She's a veteran APD commander and retired Deputy Chief II, now Marie "Sisi" Miranda wants to be the first female sheriff of Bernalillo County. She ramped up her campaign with a Friday night fundraiser, which was hosted by martial arts masters Phil Romero, Frank River and Kurt Saenz at an Albuquerque restaurant on Friday. She told us her priorities will be to restore public trust, implement ...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 31 - 7 clicks
var addthis_pub="peters1963" This weekend, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan reported that he raised $112,000 in the fourth quarter -- smashing the fundraising effort of at least one of the two Republican primary candidates vying for the 3rd Congressional District in the 2010 election. Tea Party activist and war protestor Adam Kokesh reported he collected just over $38k in the final quarter -- ...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 31 - 8 clicks
Updated with corrected numbers. Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Steve Pearce out raised Democratic incumbent Harry Teague once again in the fourth quarter of 2009, but Teague still leads in overall fundraising during the election cycle. That’s according to fourth-quarter fundraising reports that have been filed with the Federal Election Commission. Pearce raised $252,4...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 31 - 7 clicks
Leslie Lithicum of the Albuquerque Journal is a jewel. She had the most heartfelt column this morning on the demise of old Hispanic names that I wish the Journal would run it again. As the old ones die so do many of the names they carried their whole lives. I want to add a couple to the list she had this morning. My great grandfather's name was Esquipula. A great Aunt was...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 31 - 10 clicks
The Albuquerque Journal today published an op ed I wrote about Senate Bill 30, and the day before they published a summary of the results of my constituent survey,which indicated that 86% of the now-800 respondents (out of 4,500 surveys sent to frequent voters in District 13) favor a cigarette tax hike. Tax increases are usually a last resort-- and......
State Senator Dede Feldman - Jan 30 - 8 clicks
Friday, on the same day the NM Workforce Solutions Department issued a report showing unemployment in the state has hit a 8.3 percent , a record 22-year high, Gov. Bill Richardson issued a statement claiming the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is responsible for creating or saving 10,000 jobs full and part-time jobs. In fact, on Friday, Richardson said 10,221 New Mexicans received full-...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 30 - 10 clicks
Sen. Pete Domenici (retired) and wife Nancy live in Washington, but were in Albuquerque two weeks ago for their son Pete Domenici Jr's 2010 gubernatorial announcement . As part of President Barack Obama's commitment to restarting America’s nuclear industry, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future and retired...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 29 - 12 clicks
Congressman Harry Teague encouraged New Mexico’s working families to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). “In these economic times, it is more important than ever that New Mexico’s eligible families take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit,” Teague said. “I fought to expand the EITC because we need to make sure that working families get their tax dollars bac...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 29 - 6 clicks
Morris J. Chavez has been placed on paid leave from his post as the State Insurance Superintendent during a personnel investigation. The move was ordered on Thursday by the Public Regulation Department's Chief of Staff Daniel Mayfield . Chavez told the Albuquerque Journal that he expects "an expeditious investation" but would not elborate on the details of the inquiry. "I will fully co...
What's the Word with Peter St. Cyr - Jan 29 - 11 clicks
The Great Recession is not done with New Mexico. Not by a long shot. The floundering economy here took another hit as official stats put the jobless rate for December above the psychologically important 8 percent mark. In the ABQ metro, observers were stunned that the unemployment for December soared to 8.7 percent, another modern day record. No wonder city government is grappling with a proj...
Joe Monahan - Jan 28 - 11 clicks
We all want choices that balance the state budget without hurting New Mexico working families. There are better choices that raise revenue and balance the budget without jeopardizing New Mexico's future. Consider the choices. Make your voice heard and let me know what you think. [ Also see the results of the district 13 constituent survey at http://bit.ly/82yVXJ and visit......
State Senator Dede Feldman - Jan 28 - 2 clicks
Speaking of regulating nukes, there's news from the Telluride Watch about the local support for a new uranium processing permit near Nucla, Colorado. You remember Nucla - where no one has cleaned up the hazardous mess from the last uranium......
Cocoposts - Jan 28 - 6 clicks
The Albuquerque Journal this morning had its top item on the front page a banner on the Lobos victory over BYU. Second was a story about former Mayor Marty Chavez being responsible for an inflated salary for the Fire Dept. union Chief. (Surprise, the union endorsed Marty.) The third story down was President Obama's State of the Union address with a nice picture. I thi...
Jim Baca: Only in New Mexico - Jan 28 - 9 clicks
Sanchez and the Noose Quick! Someone call Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano . It looks like a hanging party is forming over at Ft. Marcy Park for State Senators Michael Sanchez and Mary Jane Garcia . But before the mob rushes them to the hangman's noose--or worse--lights them up like Zozobra , let's have the good sheriff calm the crowd so we can take a reasonable look at the senat...
Joe Monahan - Jan 27 - 4 clicks
