Democracy for New Mexico

Guest Blog by Matthew Padilla: Support Our Troops on Independence Day ... All of Them

This is a guest blog by Matthew Padilla, who is a law student at American University Washington College of Law, a former active duty Navy Lieutenant, and a native New Mexican from the South Valley/Valle de Atrisco. He is also a graduate of Rio Grande High School, and the University of Notre Dame. You can Friend him on Facebook or Follow him on Twitter (@matthewpadilla).

If you have not done so, I recommend walking around the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque, or any other similar memorial, on this 4th of July weekend. My wife and father visited the Albuquerque memorial for the first time about three weeks ago and we were all left in awe. I give credit to John Garcia’s vigilant work as Secretary of New Mexico’s Department of Veterans Services, and to all my fellow veterans for ensuring that New Mexico remains a place where this history can be preserved and recognized. The Veterans memorial offers a place for reflection, healing, and understanding of the ultimate sacrifices many Americans have made in the armed forces.

While the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque tells a tale about our service members’ life in combat, it does not delve much into their lives after the peace treaties were signed. In some wars our veterans were treated as heroes upon returning. In others, such as Vietnam, their recognition arrived late, and too many were subjected to ill treatment by their fellow Americans. Overall, the history of veterans who returned home was a mixture of both positive and negative reactions. In the present era, for most veterans, the treatment and reception upon returning home has been remarkably positive. However, for a smaller minority of veterans, that reaction has been muted by the loss of their ability to serve due to the policy of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

Through research and reflection the battles that occurred after military arms were laid down can be recalled. We should not forget that the post World War II generation of American Indians, Hispanics, African Americans, and other minority groups all faced considerable challenges even after returning as decorated heroes. These battles occurred at home, and the service members of these battles were an organized citizenry armed with their voice, their writing, and each other. The fronts were predominantly ideological and legal in nature, but dangerous because of the occasional breakdown into repressive violence brought upon them by those opposed to the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees. The fight for civil rights would shape the post World War II domestic agenda, as men and women fought for legal recognition of their inalienable rights. The same rights they had fought to preserve against tyrannical powers on the battlefield.

The progress of liberty, albeit sometimes slow, is a cause that continues today. Today the homosexual community is trying to extend the light of liberty into the shadows of their legal separation, so that they may become full members of the American promise. They continue to fight for our American ideals in our armed forces, only to return home to a society where they lack legal recognition of their equal protection rights. Oftentimes their service to our country is not even respected ... unless they keep who they are secret. The inherent problem of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is that it is a form of segregation in our armed forces, and like other similar forms of segregation, offensive to the Constitution.

Much has been said recently about gay service members such as Air Force Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach, Army Captain James Pietrangelo, and Army First Lieutenant Dan Choi. These three men are examples that being gay does not affect the performance of the soldier, sailor, marine, or airman. However, they are only the tip of the iceberg of homosexual service members who have honorably served their nation. Over 13,000 men and women have been discharged since the policy went into effect. They have been discharged not for cause or poor conduct, but for no other reason than the existence of an unjust law which prohibits their honorable contributions to our country.

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7/18: Personal Civilian & Military Stories About Real Life in Afghanistan, Pakistan

On Saturday, July 18, at Noon, the Albuquerque Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA (see website) will present an opportunity to hear from New Mexicans who have lived in and worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Central Asia. They will tell of their experiences and their views of the background of the current conflicts and of the present policies. Panelists so far are:

• Mr. Craig Barnes, Santa Fe, NM, International negotiator in Central Asia
• Mr. Ed Rau, USAF retired, military attache in Afghanistan and consultant for US policy in Afghan-Soviet war
• Professor Tahseen A Cheema, MD, Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, UNM, and visiting professor National Orthopaedic Hospital, Bahawapur, Pakistan.
• Lt. Colonel Frank Oliveira, NM Army National Guard, member Counterinsurgency Training Team, Afghanistan 2007-2008

The event will be held at the Albuquerque Mennonite Church, 1300 Girard Blve. NE, in Albuquerque (map). Admission is free. Potluck snacks are welcome. For more info, contact William Pratt at 869-4212 or prattsalwm@comcast.net.

Message from Santa Fe Mayor David Coss Regarding Recent Tragedies

The following statement was issued today by David Coss, Mayor of Santa Fe, New Mexico:

As we prepare for the 4th of July, Santa Feans are coping with great tragedy. I want to express my thoughts and discuss actions I believe we must take as a community. First, I want to express my deep condolences to the parents, families and friends of Rose Simmons, Kate Kline, Julian Martinez and Alyssa Trouw. I pray for the speedy recovery of Avree Koffman. I also want to express my condolences to the parents, family and friends of Pedro Maldonado.

Only weeks ago, I was expressing condolences to the Lovato family after a horrific domestic violence incident that affected all of us. There have been too many senseless and tragic losses. Domestic violence, gang violence and drunk driving affect us all. Santa Fe can not tolerate this, no community can.

In attending memorials and funerals this week, I have been moved by the depth of suffering and by the strength and character of our people. I ask all Santa Feans to decide that they will be safe and to see to the safety of their fellow community members this 4th of July weekend. I am humbled to be with our community in its bereavement. There has been great wisdom in the sentiments and insights expressed by people young and old. Yet, the healing will take a long time. Please continue to reach out and support one another in these painful times.

Out of the tragedy, the Santa Fe community must continue to work for change. Elected leaders shoulder a special responsibility to make solutions happen. Local government leaders will hold a joint City Council/Board of County Commissioners meeting next week to respond to these incidents, especially to the role that abuse of alcohol plays in our community.

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Friday: Rep. Luján to Open Tucumcari Office, Visit Mosquero for Congress on Your Corner

On Friday, July 3, Rep. Ben Ray Luján will meet with constituents at two events. From 10:30 to 11:30 AM, he'll be at Erma and Pat's Coffee Shop at 30 Main Street, #A, in Mosquero NM for a Congress on Your Corner event. Also, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, Rep. Luján will be celebrating the official opening of his District Office located at 404 West Route 66 Boulevard in Tucumcari.

(Updated) Attendee Adds More on Teabagger Crowd at Teague's Event in Roswell

Update: Matt at New Mexico FBIHOP found a "patriotic" blogger bragging about being part of a similarly disrespectful, uninformed and boorish crowd that hounded Rep. Harry Teague at an event in Las Cruces this past Saturday. Read the right-winger's post for a taste of what these bullies are up to these days. Who needs action on greenhouse gases when they've learned from Rush Limbaugh that global warming is a myth?
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I wrote previously that someone going by the name "alfdom" had posted a photo tonight on Twitter of, "A loud rude group of about 25 intent on repeating gobal warning is from volcanos to Congressman Teague at Roswell.."

I contacted alfdom, who turned out to be Alfredo Dominguez III, a retiree who worked for the City of Roswell and now works part time for another employer. He submitted the following personal account of what occurred at the event in Roswell with Congressman Harry Teague (NM-02). It speaks for itself:

The crowd of about 35 people went to where Congressman Teague was. It was at Pepper's Bar and Grill on North Main st. I arrived about 3:45. There were some people waiting to talk to Mr. Teague privately. The Congressman was meeting with one or two people at a time.

About 30 people wanted Congressman Teague to stop talking to the individuals and address them as a group. The Congressman has had two such meetings before in Roswell without incident. The group was loud and disruptive. There were several people trying to instigate outrage at how the meetings were going on. I was approached by two separate women who voiced frustrations about how the meeting was being run and something about cap and trade. I could not understand why they were so angry.

I am from Roswell. I did not recognize most of the people there. About 4:00 Congressman Teague started to take questions from the crowd. One person asked if Mr. Teague truly felt the majority of his constituents would vote the same way [on the energy bill]. Mr. Teague answered yes to the question and the crowd started to boo. The group was more intent on being loud than listening to Mr. Teague.

I took a picture to make the people in the group start to think. If one thinks they can be anonymous they are very bold. When I stared to ask people who they were they calmed down a bit. One lady did give her name but her speech was slurred and I could not understand her.

The end result is that people who wanted to visit with the Congressman had their time taken by a group of people that just wanted to cause problems. I shook the Congressman's hand on the way out, and then followed him out to make sure he made it to the car safely.

Most of the group believed global waring was not real, that they would die because they would not be able to pay high utility bills and that Nancy Pelosi wanted to perform medical procedures on them.

(Updated) New Mexico Teabaggers Need to Start Tea-Totaling

Update: Also read this post, which contains an account of what went on at Congressman Teague's event in Roswell written by Alfredo Domingo III, who was there.
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I know the proper term is tee-totaling but I feel compelled to stick with the tea thing. It's so apt. Either way, the rude and ill-informed, mostly right-wing malcontents showing up at New Mexico political events ready to howl, yell and put their parroted Limbaugh taking points on infinite repeat definitely need to chill.

Take this Tuesday's health care town hall with Sen. Tom Udall at VFW Post 401 in Albuquerque. The yelpers were out in force to make sure no civil or reasoned dialogue could take place about health care, energy or anything else. Check out this post by someone who attended. Excerpt:

... anti-President Obama, obvious tea-bag-party supporters just about ruined it for everyone with their disrespectful hoots and hollers after discussion turned to government stimulus, cap and trade, healthcare, etc.

... Needless to say, it was standing room only for the noon-time meeting with an all-age crowd of New Mexicans. There were a few obvious GOP who interrupted and yelled and hollered out baseless facts, and were chided by most of the crowd to “shut up.” One woman behind me, well-dressed, with sunglasses she did not remove was the worst. She interrupted nearly every comment with some anti-Obama, Rush Limbaugh-provided BS.

As a long-time journalist, it is absolutely unnerving to me when people stand up to speak and repeat the same complaints given a second ago by another person in the audience. It happened a lot!

Then there were the few completely, off-the-wall comments, one concerning midwifery compensation, and an obviously-disturbed woman who called our President a “communist dictator,” along with other ramblings that accused Obama of everything except the common cold, which was covered by another, passionate woman in bright yellow, who pleaded with the senator to ensure the water system is clean of pharmaceuticals. (She must have said “excrement” a dozen times.)

I have heard that similar attack crowds are showing up for Rep. Harry Teague's events. In fact, a person who uses the name alfdom on Twitter posted a photo from an event with the Congressman tonight in Roswell with the following caption:

A loud rude group of about 25 intent on repeating gobal warning is from volcanos to Congressman Teague at Roswell..

Yes, this sort of behavior (and thinking) can seem hilarious, but as we've seen from recent events nationally, right-wing extremists can get violent -- even murderous -- if they feel thwarted and desperate. It's one thing to challenge and question politicians and voice criticisms in no uncertain terms. It's quite another to show up like a mob, interrupt the dialogue, yell out senseless talking points by the likes of Glenn Beck and rudely stop others from participating.

Can you imagine what would be done to liberal challengers who managed to get into an event when Pete Domenici was Senator or Heather Wilson was a Rep? Isn't time for rational Republicans -- if there are any -- to step up to the plate and publicly criticize those on the right who are disrupting things like this? Their tactics are a form of bullying, no two ways about it.

NM Conservation Leaders Praise Rep. Heinrich for Supporting National Landscape Conservation System Funding

Sen. Linda Lopez (right) and others at today's event

Today, New Mexico conservation leaders joined State Senator Linda Lopez at El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail in the heart of Albuquerque’s South Valley to support funding for the National Landscape Conservation System. The Historic Trail is part of the System.

The U.S. House of Representatives appropriated $74 million for the program on June 26, 2009 as part of H.R. 2996, the 2010 Department of Interior Appropriations Act. The bill will need to be conferenced with the Senate version, which should receive a floor vote after the Independence Day Congressional recess. Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-01) is a strong supporter of the conservation effort and the appropriation.

Here's what local conservation leaders had to say about the bill’s passage in a press release about the event:

“Preserving our state trails is an important investment in our local communities. I applaud Congressman Martin Heinrich for vigorously supporting funding to sustain our cultural treasures for future generations to come.”--Senator Linda Lopez

“New Mexicans will recognize many units of the National Landscape Conservation System as jewels of our public lands and heritage, including Tent Rocks, El Malpais, the Bisti Badlands, and El Camino Real, as well as 11 other National Monuments and special designated areas and 58 Wilderness Study Areas. These areas protect New Mexico’s habitat, wildlife, and outdoor way of life, and we appreciate Congressman Heinrich working for an adequate and established funding source for their stewardship.”--Kent Salazar, NM Game Commissioner; Past President, NM Wildlife Federation

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Green for All CEO Praises Rep. Luján as Champion of Marginalized Communities in Energy Bill Battles

Rep. Luján speaks on behalf of ACES on House floor

Despite the weakness of a number of key provisions in H.R. 2454, the Waxman-Markey energy bill that just passed in the U.S. House, it does contain some very meaningful and ground-breaking measures. Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, the CEO of Green for All, wrote a compelling article on Huffington Post that describes a little-known aspect of the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) in the House. She tells of an unlikely coalition that successfully pushed to include key provisions in the bill that will bring economic opportunity to disadvantaged communities:

ACES now includes almost $1 billion in funding for job training programs, and it ensures local access to quality jobs in green construction. Thanks to bold collective efforts, the House adopted these provisions, and the bill now includes opportunity for communities that too often languish at the margins of American prosperity.

... This unexpected success would simply not have happened without a broad range of groups - many of whom are not known for their engagement in climate and energy issues - coming together for a better, more equitable ACES. This coalition was made up of civil rights, social justice, labor, environmental, faith and community groups.

The article also singled out three members of the House for special recognition due to their pivotal contributions to the successful initiative. One of them is Northern New Mexico's Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-03):

On the Hill, it was members of the Black and Hispanic Caucuses that pressed for the provisions. Champions like Representatives Bobby Rush, Emanuel Cleaver, and Ben Ray Luján in particular participated in the discussion and fought for their communities.

The leadership role taken on by advocates for people of color and the working poor has never before been seen on this scale when it comes to climate and energy legislation. It was essential to getting the equity provisions into ACES, and has helped shift the terms of the debate.

ACES includes language that Rep. Luján worked on and advocated for to provide funding for clean energy job training and to include Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges as Innovation Hubs for clean energy research. Perhaps the most important of the equity provisions added to the House legislation is an $860 million allocation to the Green Jobs Act that will provide training to workers who need new skills for clean energy jobs -- training that can be "the first step on a pathway from poverty to a steady green career." Rep. Luján was the prime mover in the House for including the provision in ACES.

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Bingaman, Solis Tout $13M Boost for NM Unemployment Insurance, Tour ABQ Job Corps Center

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to tour the Albuquerque Job Corps Center and to announce $13 million in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization funds for New Mexico. New Mexico can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits, to administer its unemployment insurance program or to deliver employment services, according to a press release. Funding is being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Unfortunately, many New Mexicans continue to struggle to find jobs in today’s economy. The funding announced today by Secretary Solis will go a long way toward helping them make ends meet while they continue to seek employment,” Bingaman said in the release.

The unemployment rate in New Mexico increased in May to 6.5%, up from 5.8% in April, although we still lag behind the national unemployment rate of 9.4%. For Albuquerque unemployment rate was 7% in May, up from 4% in May 2008 and up from 6.2% in April.

Bingaman and Solis also toured Job Corps classrooms and met with students to talk about how the center is helping them. Additionally, they toured the new Eagle Wing Hall -- the first Job Corps facility in the nation to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) compliancy. LEED is a Green Building Rating System that provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Bravo: Rep. Heinrich Signs on to Co-Sponsor Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Great news! As of Friday, Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-01) is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009, which would repeal the U.S. Department of Defense’s policy commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). There are currently 150 co-sponsors of the bill -- and they now including Rep. Heinrich as well as Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03), who informed us of his support last week. Every single member of Congress who is publicly supportive of DADT repeal provides a powerful stimulus to the movement to get it passed.

Rep. Heinrich just released the following statement about the bill:

“Serving in the military is one of our most honored and sacred traditions as Americans. To ban someone from serving their country because they are gay only weakens our nation’s security and jeopardizes the prosperity of our country. Thousands of loyal Americans are currently being told that they cannot fight for their country that they love. The current policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is unfair, counterproductive to the advancement of the armed forces and gays and lesbians, and simply must be changed.”

Yesterday, President Obama held a reception at the White House to celebrate LGBT Pride Month and had this to say about repealing DADT:

... I want to say a word about "don't ask, don't tell." As I said before -- I'll say it again -- I believe "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't contribute to our national security. In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security.

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Latest Greenpeace Sustainable Seafood Scorecard: Whole Foods Slips, Trader Joe's Worst of National Chains Surveyed

In the third edition of Greenpeace’s seafood sustainability scorecard --Carting Away the Oceans -- released today, more than half of the leading supermarket chains in the U.S. have now made some sign of progress in increasing the sustainability of their seafood operations. You can see the full Greenpeace report and details here.

The supermarket chain Wegmans received top ranking followed by Ahold USA, while Whole Foods dropped to third place from its December 2008 first place ranking. Trader Joe’s remains ranked at #17, the worst ranking of the national supermarket chains surveyed. Also trailing behind are Smith’s at #9 and Albertson’s at #13. Surprisingly, Target has the #4 rank, Walmart is #7 and Costco comes in at #10. Trader Joe's and Costco have not many any progress since the last Greenpeace scorecard was issued.

Despite the progress of many companies, all continue to stock “red list” seafood like orange roughy, swordfish, or Chilean sea bass – some of the world’s most critically imperiled species. None of the companies featured in the report guarantee that they won’t sell seafood from fisheries that are harming sea turtles, dolphins, seals, sea lions, or other marine mammals.

"The good news is that seafood sustainability is now on the radar of many major retailers so we are seeing a shift in practices, but much more progress is needed," said Greenpeace’s Senior Markets Campaigner, Casson Trenor, in a press release. "Unfortunately, our oceans remain in crisis and retailers that ignore this fact are contributing to the collapse of our marine ecosystems.”

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Catch Up With Rep. Heinrich During Independence Day Recess

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich will be back in New Mexico's First Congressional District during Congress' Independence Day recess and will be meeting with constituents and participating in several public events. A commute with constituents on the Rail Runner and a town hall on preserving Social Security and Medicare are on the schedule. See below for details.

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Sen. Tom Udall's Public Events During 4th of July Recess

U.S. Senator Tom Udall will hold a series of public events in New Mexico this week including town hall meetings in Albuquerque, Socorro, Truth or Consequences and Las Cruces where he will discuss and take questions about the challenges and achievements of the first six months of the 111th Congress and distribute his new GI Bill Resource and Application Guide to post-9/11 veterans or their family members in attendance. The Veterans’ Administration will begin distributing these benefits to post-9/11 veterans and family members who qualify on Aug. 1. Staff from Udall’s office will also be on hand to help anyone needing assistance with a federal agency.

Tuesday, June 30, Udall will hold Town Hall meetings in Albuquerque and Socorro followed by Town Halls in Truth or Consequences on Wednesday, July 1, and Las Cruces on Thursday, July 2.

Also in Las Cruces on Thursday, Udall will talk to youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces about the dangers of smoking. Congress recently passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of which Udall was a co-sponsor and advocate. As New Mexico Attorney General, Udall successfully sued the tobacco industry, and in Congress he has been a strong proponent of legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products.

Schedule of Events:

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Two Clean Energy Events on July 1 in Taos with Rep. Luján

Luján at DC press conference last week urging passage of Waxman-Markey bill

Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-03) will hold two events related to clean energy on Wednesday, July 1, in Taos. From Noon to 1:30 PM, the Congressman will participate in the groundbreaking of a solar array at the University of New Mexico Klauer Campus located at 1157 SR 570. From 5:00 to 6:00 PM that day, Rep. Luján will host a town hall at the Rio Grande Hall at the Taos Convention Center located at 120 Civil Plaza Drive. The town hall will focus on the work he's doing to promote renewable energy development and encourage a growing green economy in New Mexico. Residents are invited to provide their input on building a clean energy economy.

“Our country’s dependence on foreign oil threatens our economy and security,” said Rep. Luján. “We need to take bold steps to become energy independent by growing a clean energy economy. With investments in renewable energy, we can create new jobs in a variety of industries across New Mexico. I look forward to bringing this discussion directly to the people of Taos, so we can talk about the steps we need to take to build a clean energy economy in our state.”

Last week, Rep. Luján joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote for H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which he says will create clean energy jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and save billions of dollars long term. The Act included language that Rep. Luján worked on to provide funding for clean energy job training and include Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges as Innovation Hubs for clean energy research.

Rep. Lujan views the bill as an important step as we transition to a clean energy economy, and he pushed for stronger requirements in a number of areas.

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Strong Support in NM's 2nd Congressional District for Reforming 1872 Mining Act

In a poll conducted from May 31 thru June 9, 2009 by Harstad Strategic Research for the New West Project, 67% of voters in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District reportedly favored modernizing the 1872 Mining Act. Click for the key findings (pdf) of the survey.

Mining reform has been a hot topic in New Mexico since Senator Jeff Bingaman introduced the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act (S.796) in April, with Sen. Tom Udall as a co-sponsor. According to the poll results, a majority of New Mexicans believe that mining companies should now pay their fair-share for clean-up of the land and water pollution created from their activities.

“Currently, taxpayers have to shoulder the burden of protecting our communities from the danger of abandoned mines,” NM House Majority Leader Ken Martinez said in the press release about the survey. “Senator Bingaman understands that our economic and environmental interests don’t have to be mutually exclusive. This bill strikes a careful balance between protecting a vital part of New Mexico’s economy and ensuring that New Mexicans no longer pay for all the clean-up expenses.”

"We're looking for smart, sensible stewardship of our public lands and we can't have that until the 1872 Mining Law is updated," said John Cornell, campaign coordinator with the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. "We need to be able to balance mining with other uses of the land, and make sure our water supplies are protected."

Discussions about reforming our mining laws center focus on:

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Lt. Guv Candidate Greg Solano Announces Ethics Reform Proposals

Greg Solano on a recent ride

Greg Solano, the Democratic Sheriff of Santa Fe County, announced back in August of 2007 that he would be a primary candidate for the 2010 New Mexico Lieutenant Governor race. The Sheriff comes off as a determined, friendly, down-home kinda guy so I thought I'd forget about the official campaign photo this time and show him in a more informal setting. A relative unknown in statewide political circles, Solano has been working hard at grassroots networking to connect with voters, showing up in many parts of the state at events, meetings, gatherings and more. As he said on Twitter recently, "I will show up to the opening of an envelope." He definitely wants the job and he's obviously willing to work hard to get on the ballot.

Solano is also running one of the most net-savvy campaigns in New Mexico right now. He's long had a personal blog, and now he's accessible on Facebook and Twitter -- where he's a frequent and enthusiastic participant -- as well as on his formal campaign website and campaign blog. Solano encourages folks to post comments, ask questions and interact with him personally using his website and social media, in person, on the phone and via email. Clearly, he believes openness in the political arena starts at the personal level.

On Friday, he released his proposed ethics reforms on his campaign website. In a press release, Solano said he realizes that ethics reforms are needed in New Mexico to protect tax dollars and ensure transparency in State Government, and that he believes true ethics reforms come from the top down and by setting an example in the highest offices of state government.

Sheriff Solano's recommendations, which you can read here in their entirety, stress the importance of transparency and openness in government. He advocates for the creation of an independent ethics commission, as well as public campaign financing and adequate program funding for the offices of Attorney General and State Auditor. Solano also supports providing additional funding and technical assistance for the Office of the Secretary of State to ensure complete and easy access to campaign finance reports.

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Tonight: Champagne & Manicures Fundraiser for Denish for Guv (Only $25)

From Diane Denish for Governor: Please join us tonight, Monday, June 29, for a Champagne & Manicures Fundraiser in Support of Diane Denish for Governor from 6-8 PM at The Spa at Isleta Resort at 11000 Broadway SE in Albuquerque (map/directions).

If you've never been to one of these Denish spa events, they rock. You get all sorts of spa services like a mini-manicure, massage, mini-facial or hairstyling (plus champagne, snacks and desserts) for just $25. Attire is casual.

You may have heard that the suggested contribution for this is $100 -- ignore that. For young professionals it's only $25. (Menfolk -- please pass this info on to the ladies in your life. Or come get manicures & facials with us!) Make checks payable or mail donations to Committee to Elect Diane Denish, P.O. Box 30561, Albuquerque NM 8719.

Obama Online Town Hall on Health Care Reform Wednesday, Submit Question or Comment

President Barack Obama will hold a national discussion on health care through an online town hall meeting in Annandale VA on Wednesday, July 1st, at 11:15 AM MDT. In addition to the live audience, questions will come from online communities such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Click for more information and instructions for submitting a video response to the President. Hint: robust, national public option!

You can also access an online discussion about health care today with the Obama administration's Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle at 3:00 PM MDT at the White House Facebook page. You can also follow the administration at the Twitter account http://twitter.com/whitehouse.

Sierra Club to Host Week-Long Environmental Training for NM-TX Youth

From the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club and Sierra Student Coalition are hosting a week-long environmental training program, known as “Sprog,” with youth from all over New Mexico and Texas. The program takes place at the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu NM from June 28th thru July 5th. More than 25 students from around the region will convene to participate in an intensive, educational and energizing week-long residential program, designed to provide participants with grassroots advocacy and organizing training. Students will also take part in challenging and rewarding outdoor activities and hear from environmental leaders from across New Mexico.

“The Environmental Youth Leadership Training will help create future environmental and community leaders by introducing, inspiring and educating young people, especially underrepresented minorities,” said Kristina Ortez, the Southwest Representative for Building Bridges to the Outdoors, Sierra Club’s National Youth program. “The students will build on their knowledge about environmental issues facing their local communities and will learn how to become actively involved in the providing solutions.”

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