NewMexicoMatters.com

Lobbyist reform coming to Santa Fe?

Trip Jennings starts us off with an update on ethics reform in the legislature.

SANTA FE — Former state lawmakers would need to wait a year after their terms end to return to the Roundhouse as lobbyists under legislation that hurdled a Senate committee late last week.

The Senate Rules Committee on a 4-to-1 vote passed Senate Bill 163 on Friday. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, would impose a one-year “cooling off period” for lawmakers who want to become lobbyists.

[From New Mexico Independent » Lobbyist reform coming to Santa Fe?]

Did You Know: National Emergency Powers

National Emergency Powers: "The President of the United States has available certain powers that may be exercised in the event that the nation is threatened by crisis, exigency, or emergency circumstances (other than natural disasters, war, or near-war situations). Such powers may be stated explicitly or implied by the Constitution, assumed by the Chief Executive to be permissible constitutionally, or inferred from or specified by statute. Through legislation, Congress has made a great many delegations of authority in this regard over the past 200 years. There are, however, limits and restraints upon the President in his exercise of emergency powers. With the exception of the habeas corpus clause, the Constitution makes no allowance for the suspension of any of its provisions during a national emergency. Disputes over the constitutionality or legality of the exercise of emergency powers are judicially reviewable. Indeed, both the judiciary and Congress, as co-equal branches, can restrain the executive regarding emergency powers. So can public opinion. Furthermore, since 1976, the President has been subject to certain procedural formalities in utilizing some statutorily delegated emergency authority. The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601-1651) eliminated or modified some statutory grants of emergency authority, required the President to declare formally the existence of a national emergency and to specify what statutory authority, activated by the declaration, would be used, and provided Congress a means to countermand the Presidents declaration and the activated authority being sought. The development of this regulatory statute and subsequent declarations of national emergency are reviewed in this report, which is updated as events require."

(Via Open CRS: Recently Added.)

Journalism student Tasered for asking Sen. Kerry 2004 election went uncontested

Therawstory reported yesterday that Police Tasered and arrested Andrew Meyer, a University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications student Monday after asking Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) during a student forum why he hadn't contested the 2004 Presidential election results.

Therawstory has three separate video clips recorded by the media and members of the audience of Mr. Meyer questioning the Senator and the police then wrestling Mr. Meyer to the back of the auditorium where he can be heard saying "please don't taser me" before me tasered. The scene is alarming and moved me to send the following email to Sen. Kerry. I tried to call first but the line was busy.

Dear Sen. Kerry,

I am writing in regard to Andrew Meyer's arrest during your recent appearance at the University of Florida.

What I saw was not only the police brazenly suppressing constitutionally protected speech, but a former Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party standing idly by as it occurred.

Not only do you have an obligation as a defender of the Constitution to intervene in the criminal proceedings against Mr. Meyer, but more importantly, you need to fully answer the question(s) posed by Mr. Meyer as to why the 2004 election results weren't contested. 

Sincerely,

Gideon Elliot

Should you feel the courage to defend the Freedom of Speech, email or call Sen. Kerry.

John Kerry
Office Locations Washington D.C.
304 Russell Bldg.
Third Floor
Washington D.C. 20510

(202) 224-2742 - Phone

(202) 224-8525 - Fax

Technorati Tags: 2004, Battleground, Elections, electronicvoting, George W. Bush, GOP, HAVA, media, Politics, Andrew-Meyer, voting, Washington, D.C.

Ruling Draws Lawmakers Toward Political Minefield - washingtonpost.com:

Ruling Draws Lawmakers  Toward Political Minefield - washingtonpost.com:
The Supreme Court ruling yesterday resurrects the politically charged issue of reproductive rights just in time for the 2008 campaign season, but it may not be a fight the Democrats want.

All the 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, along with many congressional Democrats, issued statements opposing the court's 5 to 4 ruling upholding a ban on a type of abortion, and GOP candidates uniformly applauded the decision.

Technorati Tags: 2008elections

GOP Unknown Halts Electronic Finance Filings - washingtonpost.com

GOP Unknown Halts Electronic Finance Filings - washingtonpost.com:
The long-pending plan to usher the Senate into the modern age by requiring members to file their campaign finance forms electronically finally appeared poised for passage.

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), the lead sponsor of a bill that would end the antiquated practice of requiring senators to file their forms on paper, stood on the senate floor Monday and reminded members of a process that borders on the absurd.

Republicans Block Medicare Drug Price Bill - washingtonpost.com

Republicans Block Medicare Drug Price Bill - washingtonpost.com:
Senate Republicans blocked legislation yesterday that would have allowed the federal government to negotiate Medicare drug prices, denying Democrats a victory on their 2006 election vow to lower prescription costs for senior citizens.

"We'll have plenty of additional chances," said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a supporter of the bill. "This is not the end of the debate." Democrats needed a 60-vote majority to start debate on the measure, but lost 55 to 42.

Technorati Tags: 2008elections, Congress, Elections, GOP, healthcare, jeffbingaman, Medi, newmexico, Politics, reform, voting, Washington, D.C.

The Raw Story | World Bank chief under pressure to quit over pay scandal

The Raw Story | World Bank chief under pressure to quit over pay scandal:
World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz Thursday confessed to errors over a pay scandal surrounding his girlfriend but still faced an open revolt from staff members agitating for his resignation.

The former deputy US defense secretary, one of the architects of the war in Iraq, refused to say if he might be forced out as the bank's 24-member executive board investigates the controversy.

But ahead of the bank's annual spring meeting this weekend, which threatens to be overshadowed by the dispute, he said: "I will accept any remedies they propose.

Technorati Tags: budget, Congress, corruption, economy, Republicans

How Big Money Has Changed Washington

Conclusion | Citizen K Street | washingtonpost.com:
Last November, Gerald S. J. Cassidy took a guest duck hunting on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The location was the lobbyist's $8 million, 165-acre estate on the Chesapeake Bay. The guest was a former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

Gerald Cassidy's estate on the Chesapeake Bay. (Susan Biddle/TWP)
For Cassidy, a shy man, this must have been a high point in a 38-year career in Washington. It surely demonstrated his status as a member of a new Washington aristocracy, whose members enjoy access to the powerful, influence on the deal-making of government and great personal wealth. Cassidy's fortune exceeds $125 million.

The upward arc of his career also delineates the way money has altered Washington during the last three decades. Money has transformed American politics, the career choices available here and even the landscape of the nation's capital. Raising money has become a key to electoral success, while spending taxpayers' dollars has helped incumbents get reelected.

Technorati Tags: Congress, corruption, Elections, Fundraising, lobbying

White House says Rove relayed complaints about prosecutors

Link: .

WASHINGTON - The White House acknowledged on Sunday that presidential adviser Karl Rove served as a conduit for complaints about federal prosecutors as House investigators declared their intention to question him about any role he may have played in the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Rove relayed complaints from Republican officials and others to the Justice Department and the White House counsel's office. She said Rove, the chief White House political operative, specifically recalled passing along complaints about former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias and may have mentioned the grumblings about Iglesias to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Iglesias says he lost his job as the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico after rebuffing Republican pressure to speed his investigation of Democratic officials in the state.

Rove said he did not suggest that any of the U.S. attorneys be forced to resign, Perino said.

Press Release: Richardson and Pearce to Team Up for Tour of Abq VA hospital

Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Steve Pearce will Tour VA Hospital in Albuquerque on SATURDAY

NEWS ADVISORY

Friday, March 09, 2007

                                                               

Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Steve Pearce will Tour VA Hospital in Albuquerque on SATURDAY

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson and Congressman Steve Pearce will tour the VA Hospital in Albuquerque on Saturday to meet with Iraq war veterans and get an update on the operations of the facility.

Portions of the tour will be open to the media. Governor Richardson and Congressman Pearce will also hold a brief news availability at the end of the tour.

The tour is scheduled for 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at the VA Health Care System, 1501 San Pedro Drive S.E., in Albuquerque. A news availability is scheduled at 10:45 a.m. in the auditorium at the VA.

#30#

Technorati Tags: budget, Congress, Iraq, media, newmexico, news, Politics, puppy, Republicans