NewMexicoMatters.com

Self Financed Candidates?

According to the Institute on Money In State Politics (www.followthemoney.org) , New Mexico ranked fourth in the nation for candidate self-financing in 2004. Little ol' New Mexico, Fourth !  But hold on, it gets better. In 2002, the state was ranked 3 ! So how did we achieve such a high ranking ?

Check out this and other charts on Influence in New Mexico at www.followthemoney.org
In 2002,  Mr. Vigil raised over $114,752 in his run for State Treasurer. Of that, approximately $24,900 was from Mr. Vigil's own pocket, according to followthemoney.org. Mr. Vigil contributed the money to his campaign over a 22 month period, beginning May 5th 2001, with a contribution of 1,200 and ending October 25th, 2002 with a repayment to himself of $1,800.
In 2004, despite not having an opponent or an election, Vigil raised over $120,000, this time without making any personal contributions to the campaign.
But what will happen to all the money Vigil raised? Can he use it for personal expense if he were to argue that they were part of his campaign to win re-election in 2006 ?
What do candidates do with the cash left in their campaign accounts after election day and once all the campaign expenditures are taken care of?
Do candidates ever repay themselves?
What if a candidate is loaned the money they use to self-finance? How is that reported?
In giving New Mexico an F grade for campaign disclosure, the Campaign Disclosure Project had this to say:
New Mexico’s big improvement in the Electronic Filing Program category was still not enough to raise the state’s overall grade above an F, due to continuing poor performance in the remaining three categories of the study.

Candidates in New Mexico must report detailed information about contributors giving $250 or more, including occupation but not employer or cumulative amount donated. Loan disclosure is a weak point, and there is no independent expenditure reporting. Candidates are required to disclose details about expenditures, but reports do not include subvendor details or accrued expenses. Large, last-minute contributions are reported before Election Day. Starting in January of 2006, all statewide and legislative candidates who are required to file reports with the Secretary of State must file them electronically, unless they apply for and are granted a hardship exemption from that agency. Continue reading New Mexico's report card here:  NM Grading State Disclosure 2005

How The Democratic Party of New Mexico Works

The recording consists of 5 seperate segments from the Democratic Party of New Mexico's April 2005, State Central Committee Meeting.

This meeting was a first for many who became involved with the Democratic Party in the during the 2004 elections. Central Committee members .

In the coming days, NewMexicoMatters will begin increasing the amount of multimedia content available on the site. Visitors will not only have the opportunity to listen and see primary sources themselves, but also contribute and publish content as well.

Kate Nash on Helicopters and Beer

The Albuquerque Tribune: Local  /  State Government: State's copter a whirl of activity
The helicopter has been used for search and rescue, felon tracking and ferrying passengers, including 10 trips for the governor.
SANTA FE - Those who use it say the State Police's $3.8 million Agusta Westland A109 Power helicopter is an effective crime fighter and a way to get officials, including Gov. Bill Richardson, to cities across the state efficiently.
A Richardson critic says the helicopter use is about the governor's penchant for speed.
But the Governor's Office used the helicopter infrequently - on 12 of the chopper's 132 trips this year - according to records requested by The Tribune.
The Albuquerque Tribune: Columnists:
Kate Nash: Beer flick a bad fit for a state with so many DWIs
SANTA FE - Gov. Bill Richardson has done well in his quest to bring movie producers to New Mexico.
Since he took office in 2003, some 35 movies have been shot here, bolstering our economy and landing us media attention.
The films, including "Bordertown," "Into the West," "North Country" and "Three Wise Guys," might not be blockbusters, but the state's film office says $500 million in revenue has been generated by the industry.
That's awesome.
But the latest flick scheduled to be shot here, "Beerfest," is the wrong movie for New Mexico.

Headlines For Monday December 12th, 2005

In case you didn't catch them, here are the most important items from the last few days:

Alamogordo Daily News - Local News: Otero Mesa permit unique

The New Mexico Environment Department has shut down plans to test existing Otero Mesa natural gas resources, and is asking for air quality testing and information.

The Harvey E. Yates Co. has wellheads on the Bennett Ranch Unit of the southern Otero County Oro Grande Basin, an area commonly referred to as Otero Mesa.

A Bureau of Land Management permit allows two gas wells in the Bennett Ranch Unit to flare gas for 30 days, or 50 million cubic feet of gas, whichever comes first. But the state Environment Department has indicated the company will need a state air quality permit as well as the BLM permit.

"I have no knowledge of the air quality ever being involved," said George Yates, CEO of the Harvey E. Yates Co., also known as the HEYCO Energy Group.

"Why are they involved in this case?" Yates said. "Is this a tool used by the executive branch of state government to stop development of public resources?

ABQjournal: Part of Windfall May Be Set Aside for Schools, Government:

"The state's budget position is sound, but the boom in revenue from the oil and gas industries creates the impression we have more to spend than we do," said LFC Chairman Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe. "The state has existing commitments, particularly to public school reform, and we cannot continue to create commitments when we might not have the money to live up to them in the future."
Other provisions of the LFC budget proposal:

More than $2 billion is for operations of public schools. The budget provides an increase of $183 million, or 8.6 percent in state aid for public school operations and compensation for school workers.

The public school money includes almost $7.5 million to continue implementing a minimum pay plan for teachers, which is linked to a new licensing system. Experienced teachers meeting the top level licensing requirements will earn $45,000 in the 2006-07 school year. About $3.7 million is provided or an additional 5 percent pay raise for educational assistants.

About $765 million is for the state's network of colleges and universities, which is a $59 million increase, including money for pay raises.

About $614 million in state money for Medicaid, an increase of almost $45 million. The program provides health care for the poor and disabled and children in lower-income families.
The current budget calls for spending about $4.7 billion. That's a 6.5 percent increase, or almost $284 million, over the previous year's operating budget.

ABQjournal: Anglos Lead in Top-Paying State Jobs:

SANTA FE— More Anglos hold jobs paying $45,000 and above in New Mexico state government than Hispanics, Native Americans and African-Americans combined, a new study found.
And the ratio of Anglos to other ethnic groups rises as salary amounts climb, according to the study by the Legislative Finance Committee.
"Something's wrong here," said Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, who requested the study.
"Why do we have these differences? Do we have equal opportunity or not?"

ABQjournal: Commuter Train Service Is Coming, but January Start Appears 'Highly Unlikely':

No question, area commuters are keeping their eyes open waiting for the state's "Rail Runner Express" train commuter service to come chugging down the tracks as promised— leaders in towns such as Belen, Los Lunas and Bernalillo can attest to that.
The wait will be a tad longer than expected, though.
Officials leading the project now expect the service to launch in February or March— not January— although that timeline could be bumped up if access is given sooner to the necessary right-of-way along the tracks to build station platform areas.

Alamogordo Daily News - Local News: Katrina-victim poseurs bilk community members

Two Virginia residents who have never been to New Orleans spent several weeks in the Otero County area bilking area residents of money, furnishings, food and friendship, investigators say.

MONDAY Headlines:

8:11 am: Supreme Court agrees to review GOP-friendly Texas districts
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Monday it would consider the constitutionality of a Texas congressional map engineered by Rep. Tom DeLay that helped Republicans gain seats in Congress.

Natural gas prices retreat slightly after touching new high overnight
After hitting a new high above $15 per 1,000 cubic feet, natural-gas futures retreated slightly on Friday as a winter storm hit the northern United States. The price of crude-oil and heating-oil futures also dipped and analysts attributed the early selling to profit-taking.

Richardson seeks advice on bringing NFL team to New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Though he has a meeting with the NFL commissioner, New Mexicans shouldn't expect Gov. Bill Richardson to return from NFL headquarters with the keys to a franchise.

Las Cruces Sun-News - Local News: $11.9 million requested to deal with prison system
SANTA FE -- The state Corrections Department has requested an increase of $11.9 million in the current-year operating budget, and a $25.6 million increase in its budget for the next fiscal year, in order to deal with a growing inmate population.

Reform groups start to target businesses
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — The white van eases into a liquor store parking lot and is swarmed by 30 Hispanic day laborers who begin intense job negotiations with the driver. Within seconds, another wave of people descend on the van. Mostly white and middle-aged , they snap pictures as they cite federallabor laws.

Fitch Affirms Santa Fe County, New Mexico GO Bonds
dBusinessNews Austin (press release), TX - 7 hours ago
AUSTIN -- As part of ongoing surveillance, Fitch affirms the 'AA' rating on Santa Fe County (the county), NM's $9.0 million general obligation bonds, series ..

Farmington Daily Times - Local News: Demonstrators give pros and cons to new Wal-Mart
FARMINGTON -- A group of local teens have organized to peacefully demonstrate pros and cons for building the new Wal-Mart on the west side of Farmington.

Deming Headlight - Local News: City Council will review Municipal Election plan
City council will review its resolution for next year's Municipal Election -- a time when Deming's next mayor and two council seats will be determined -- during its regular monthly meeting today.

Las Cruces Sun-News - Local News: Casino letter, rural zoning on commission's agenda
How Doña Ana County should respond to letters requesting information about a proposed Anthony casino and whether the Extraterritorial Zoning Commission and Authority should be eliminated are among items the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners will take up at a regular meeting Tuesday.

Las Cruces Sun-News - Business: After 13 years in operation, Cruces rehab center to close
Sierra Providence Health Network has confirmed that it will close its CORE Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Las Cruces.

"We did meet with all the employees," said Sierra's Doug Brewer, who works with the company that is based in El Paso. "Sierra Providence has operated that facility for a long time and the last few years at a loss."

Rio Rancho Observer Online: 'Rumble in Rio' will continue in Sandoval County
By GARY HERRON/Observer staff reporter

Democrats focus on community for election
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — To hear Democrats tell it, an anxious and isolated public craves a sense of national community and would galvanize behind a leader who asks people to sacrifice for the greater good. John Edwards says he’s that leader.

What's wrong in this picture?

Below is a snapshot of funds raised by statewide elected officials in 2004 from followthemoney.org. What do you notice?

Guv pitches $115M for 2 high schools

Guv pitches $115M for 2 high schools:

Students cheered the governor's promise of two new West Side high schools in two years, then analyzed his motives.

They assessed the hoopla created for their benefit at Cibola High on Wednesday and decided Gov. Bill Richardson is a brilliant campaigner.

Headlines for Weekend Reading

ABQjournal: Sen.: Rail Squeezes Roads Funding: By Jeff Jones | Journal Politics Writer

SANTA FE— The $393 million New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train project is costing more in state money than promised, is draining money from other road projects and lacks vital planning, one state senator said Friday.
The state "maybe just got ripped— it just depends how you look at it," Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, told the Legislative Finance Committee.

Carlsbad Current Argus - Local News: State commits to 4-laning U.S. 62-180
By Walter Rubel

SANTA FE -- The New Mexico Department of Transportation announced Friday evening that it would commit to turning U.S. 62-180 into a four-lane highway from Carlsbad to the Texas state line.

Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught said they have completed the necessary environmental studies and comment period on the project, and received the go-ahead from the federal government Friday.

The original plan called for in GRIP -- Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership -- was to make safety enhancements to the highway, but keep it as a two-lane. Faught said it was clear that those safety enhancements were needed.

Farmington Daily Times - Local News: N.M. ranks in top 10 for gas prices
By Ryan Hall The Daily Times

Four Corners residents express displeasure at high costs
FARMINGTON -- New Mexicans are paying the sixth highest rate for gasoline of any state in the nation and with Farmington near the top in the state in terms of price, local residents say they are not happy.

"Price gouging," said Joe Bischoff, 25, of Gallup, whose family recently bought a small trucking business in the area. "If anyone was put in the same position (as the oil companies), they would probably do the same thing."

New Mexico's gas among most expensive - 2005-12-09: New Mexico Business Weekly

After nine weeks of declines in price, gasoline in New Mexico is averaging $2.29 per gallon, AAA New Mexico reports.

That price ranks New Mexico sixth in the nation in terms of states with the highest gas prices, AAA says. The average price for a gallon of gas nationally is about $2.15 per gallon.

New Mexico's latest average price is 1.8 cents per gallon less than it was one week ago, but still 40.7 cents per gallon more than it cost a year ago.

ABQjournal: State Ready to Add Land for Cannon: By Miguel Navrot | Journal Staff Writer

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, unsure what new mission might be bound for Cannon Air Force Base, said Friday the state is primed to expand land

ABQjournal: Commissioner Has Been District Critic: By Michael Davis | Journal Staff Writer

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board of Directors may give one of its own a smack on the wrist.
The board is set to take up a three-page long resolution censuring newly elected board member Commissioner Bill Turner on Monday.

Why I resigned from the Lodgers Tax Committee

In response to the November 18, 2005 edition of the Ruidoso News and the
article "Arts Collect Extra 5 Grand; Chavez Walks," I would like to clarify
the reasons for my "walking" or as I would prefer "resigning" from the Ruidoso
Lodgers Tax Committee. http://www.ruidosonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/OPINION02/512090315/1016/OPINION

NMSU president is doing his job

Saturday, December 10, 2005
New Mexico State University is not a wealthy institution, but students who
want to can obtain a quality education in almost every college and department. http://www.lcsun-news.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/OPINION01/512100303/1013/OPINION

Clovis News Journal: Serving Eastern New Mexico and West Texas: Clovis officials interested in Petty studio
By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer

Various recording artists including Tommy Allsup, Aubrey Decordova, Charlie Phillips, Richard Stephens, and Gary and Romona Tollett talk with director Shawn Nagy during a filming session August 2002 at Norman Petty Studios. (File photo)

The city of Clovis is to seek $750,000 in capital outlay funds for tourism development, with the remote dream of purchasing Norman Petty Studios, local officials said.

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/36164.html

WASHINGTON: A seemingly hopeless divide within the Republican Party over oil drilling in a pristine wildlife refuge in Alaska is threatening to block unrelated budget cuts that are a central pillar of the GOP's plans for this year.

Gov's crime advisor resigns...to run for Attorney General ?
Source: KRQE News 13

SANTA FE -- The governor's criminal justice policy advisor Bob Schwartz has announced he's resigning.
According to a news released issued shortly after Noon on Friday, Schwartz is leaving his post to run for New Mexico Attorney General.

Governor Richardson has accepted Schwartz resignation which will take effect December 16th.

Richardson adviser to run for AG post

By Steve Terrell The New Mexican | 
December 10, 2005

Bob Schwartz, who has served as a crime-issues adviser for Gov. Bill Richardson for nearly three years, said Friday that he is stepping down to run for state attorney general. 

“I’ll make a formal announcement in January,” Schwartz said. “I’ll be running on a very unexpected platform for an attorney-general candidate. I’ll be taking on some aspects of the legal system that will be nontraditional.” However, he would not elaborate on his platform plans . 



New Mexico Court Upholds Death Sentence

v2005| ABQjournal | The Albuquerque Journal Online |:
Court Upholds Death Sentence Given To Robert Fry
SANTA FE — The state's highest court on Thursday upheld the murder conviction and death sentence of a Farmington man for killing a mother of five in 2000.

And Laughing All The Way, Hay !

Mel Brooks may have said it best:

Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.

Mel Brooks (1926 - )

And If there is anything that could actually prove to be a stumbling block to Governor Richardson's re-election campaign, it may be the challenge of handling the Republican's rubber sword of humor without appearing too big for a little ribbing.

So lets just get this out in the open, the New Mexico Republican Party's most recent radio spot on the Governor, titled "Twas the Night Before Christmas," is funny.

This isn't the first time that the R's have shown a clever sense of humor and timing in hits on the Gov, recall the scuttlebutt over the state's new jet ? That piece came just as the Governor made his first swing through the granite state and even played on New Hampshire airwaves.

According to Barry Massey's piece in the New Mexican this morning, the Governor's office didn't find the holiday season parody anything to make light of:

"Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the governor, said, "Obviously, the Christmas spirit has eluded the Republican Party, which in poor taste has chosen to sling mud to holiday music. This is why people are turned off to politics."

"Since they can't attack the governor's proven record of accomplishments, Republican Party officials have resorted to a pathetic, baseless personal smear campaign. The people of New Mexico are smarter than that," Gallegos said.

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Of course the GOP is resorting personal attacks! Big suprise. But whereas the voters may be sick of the kind of attacks launched against Corzine in New Jersey, which focused on the sordid details of a painful divorce-- hardly a laughing matter-- "'Twas the month before Christmas and on a Santa Fe hill, lived an ego so big ... they called him King Bill" is a comparatively clean attack from the Republicans.

Voting Problems: Colorado Gets Wise While New Mexico Slumbers

According to today's New Mexican, approximately 1,460 new voting machines are expected to be purchased by the state's 33 counties. And at at cost ranging anywhere between $5,000-10,000 a pop ($7.3 million) what standard has been set for selecting the machines intended to bring the counties into compliance with HAVA standards for handicapped accessible voting ? Other than a state law passed during last year's legislative session requiring all counties to have a "voter verified audible paper trail by 2007," not much--leaving New Mexico's 33 county clerks to be wooed by salesman from the 3 companies approved by the Secretary of State to sell their devices in New Mexico.

The voting machine issue, undeniably complicated at the nuts and bolts level, sometimes seems disregarded by the media and elected officials, however, look across the boarder to Colorado and you'll see that where there's smoke there's fire.

The Pueblo Chieftain Online - Pueblo, Colorado U.S.A:
Voting machines may be replaced
State secretary of state looking into voting system used for Pueblo elections.

DenverPost.com - LOCAL NEWS :
State's eye on vote scanners
Secretary of State Gigi Dennis might seek new machines in 10 counties after hand recounts changed two results last month.

Rocky Mountain News: Editorials:
Targeting state's computer woes December 4, 2005
In Colorado, it looks as though the new welfare queens are computer system contractors.

The Pueblo Chieftain Online - Pueblo, Colorado U.S.A:
State pulls plug on $10 million software pact
DENVER - In a surprise move, Secretary of State Gigi Dennis canceled a $10 million contract Wednesday with a Virginia software company to set up the state's new voter registration computer system.

DenverPost.com - OPINION :
State voter system takes a messy U-turn
Colorado will miss the federal deadline for developing its elections system, but care needs to be taken, given the state's recent computer problems.

cbs4denver.com: State Ends Voter Registration Computer Program:
State Ends Voter Registration Computer Program
By Steven K. Paulson, AP Writer

Dana Williams, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Gigi Dennis, said the computer system had problems registering voters and other problems. She said a letter was sent Wednesday to Accenture canceling the $10.5 million contract. Williams said the state has already spent $1.5 million on the system.

"When we saw these problems, we decided we were not going to throw good money after bad. We're going to get this fixed as soon as we can," Williams said.