Democracy for New Mexico

Sen. Ortiz y Pino Sponsors Memorial Asking Governor to Recall Troops

From New Mexico Senate Democrats:
SANTA FE, NM – State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-Bernalillo) has entered Senate Memorial 11 that calls upon Governor Bill Richardson to exercise his authority as Commander in Chief of the New Mexico National Guard to recall the troops from duty in Iraq.

“I think it is needed because a disproportionate number of the casualties and fighting in Iraq is being conducted by National Guard troops,” says Senator Ortiz y Pino. “They are bearing the brunt of the ill conceived and almost certainly failing effort in Iraq, making it possible for the regular Army and regular Marine Corps units to avoid from dealing with the real full consequences of it.”

The legislation states there are 529 Army and Air National Guard Troops from New Mexico serving in Iraq today. It says that the troops were originally deployed because of concern there were weapons of mass destruction. Since no weapons of mass destruction found, the legislation calls upon the Governor to call the New Mexico troops home.

The Memorial is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. Supporters are urged to contact the committee's members to urge its passage.

Some NM County Clerks Balk As Paper Ballot Legislation Moves Forward

Click for an excellent summary of the paper ballot voting machine issues being considered by the NM Legislature by Warren Stewart of Vote Trust USA. The piece provides commentary on the response to Governor Richardson's initiative to purchase the machines for the entire state by Mary Herrera and some other county clerks. Excerpts:

"Mary Herrera indicates an inexplicable resistance by some to Governor Richardson's initiative to have a standardized voting system based on paper ballots in New Mexico," said Paul Stokes of United Voters of New Mexico. "Sure, the county clerks have work to do to get the new voting system in place. But most of that work is necessary anyway, because new voting systems must be in place by the November election to satisfy the requirements of the Help American Vote Act for accessibility by disabled voters. Eleven counties already use paper ballots, so the new system will be a minimal change for them. An additional eight counties have already ordered the equipment needed to implement a paper ballot voting system. The remaining New Mexico counties should be following their lead. "

... Election activist Terry Riley commented that "there is enough information available about the problems with the touch screen...machines that will guarantee legal challenges in any state that uses them. Paper ballots will give the public confidence that their vote can be checked manually if the electronic tabulating systems are questioned."

Rep. Lujan's Minimum Wage Bill Clears First Hurdle

I'm excited to report that Speaker Ben Lujan's bill to raise the minimum wage to $7.50 on January 1, 2007 (HB258) passed at its first hearing in the House Labor and Human Resources Committee by a 5-2 margin. Read all about it. All of the Committee's Democrats voted for the measure in a straight party-line vote. This is the bill backed by New Mexicans For a Fair Wage, which the grassroots has been heavily supporting.

Both opponents and supporters of the bill were out in force yesterday at the committee meeting, which was moved to the House chamber to accomodate the crowd.

Next, the bill must pass in the House Business and Industry Committee in order to make it to the House floor. Click to contact members of this committee. Keep the momentum rolling! And be sure to sign up for Minimum Wage Lobby Day, to be held at the Roundhouse next Tuesday, January 31st. Free bus rides and box lunches will be provided for those who sign up.

New Mexico PACE is also hosting events on that day:

PACE is involved in the coalition for Fair Wages and as part of the Progressive Networking Center, with New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, we will be offering to members and friends refreshments and a citizens lobbying training the morning of the 31st of January in the Sanctuary of the 1st Christian Church, 645 Webber St, Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Go on Paseo de Peralta adjacent to the Roundhouse on the North is Webber, two blocks up adjacent to the school is the church.) 

After some coffee and tea we will walk over to the Roundhouse for the 10:30 rally.  We will have markers and poster-board for folks to make signs to identify their respective communities and voter districts.  Please read below for contacts and other information on the Coalitions lobbying day.

We will be joined at the church by SWOP, Living Wage Santa Fe, Somos Un Pueblo, ENLACE, the South Valley Alliance (Southern Dona Ana County villages and organizations) and others.  So get there early to meet folks.

If you have a chance please RSVP, Santiago – (505)927-2734 or Joan – (505) 890-1010,  for the morning gathering at the church.

URA Solution Event Set for 2/11

UPDATE: URA Solution now has a website about this event. Visit https://www.nmsr.org/ura2006.htm to learn about the addition of a speaker and other current information about this event.

From Kathy Economy: Announcing (and Pass it Around)

The URA Solution to the State of the Union -- Union
An Eclectic Collection of Passionate, Dedicated, and Committed People

Where: Wyndham Hotel
(near the airport – no fuss parking at the hotel)
When: Saturday, February 11, 2006, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Cost: Donation
Keynote Speakers: Mikey Weinstein* and Mary Oishi**

Who should attend? ‘U’ Should

• We, as individuals, are the check and balance of a responsible community at the local, regional and national level.
• U can do something about –
  • Civil liberties - Health Care - Government Integrity Environment - Human Rights - Equality
• Meet and greet with local grassroots and national groups who started out with one individual, one idea, one declaration, creating BIG movements. 

Come for Food, Music, Stimulating Conversation, Connections

Information – Kathy,  292-7402; Kris –232-1744
urasolution@earthlink.net

*Michael L. ("Mikey") Weinstein  - Active in the current national movement to restore the constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state, being played out at the United States Air Force Academy today.

** Mary Oishi – radio announcer, poet, publisher, scholar

More on Mikey Weinstein:
Michael L. ("Mikey") Weinstein has been the undisputed leader and founder, from its inception approximately a year and half ago, of the national movement to restore the Constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state at the United States Air Force Academy and has played a titular role in the national debate currently raging over that most controversial and volatile issue. He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs and been the subject of equally numerous newspaper and magazine stories on same. In this highly visible capacity, he has taken on the powers-that-be in the U.S. government, especially the Department of Defense, as well as those same entities in the growing evangelical Christian movement.

Web info - https://www.greatertalent.com/biography.php?id=541

Kerry Calling for Alito Filibuster: ACT NOW

Click for a post on Daily Kos by John Kerry explaining why he is urging a filibuster of Alito.

From People For the America Way:
Senator John Kerry has called for a filibuster of the Alito nomination, heeding your calls to do everything possible to defeat it. He has asked that activists now help convince his colleagues to join him. Please contact key senators who can provide critical support to the filibuster effort!

https://www.SaveTheCourt.org/AlitoFilibuster

Then pass this along to anyone you know who is worried that Alito would likely condone the abuse of power by the president, vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, and help curtail Congress' ability to protect the civil rights, health, safety, and welfare of the American people.

We need to act now to prevent Senate Republican leaders from ramming this nomination through the Senate -- time is of the essence.

See below for another filibuster effort using toll-free calls from Democrats.com:

Call Senators Immediately!

Call the Senators listed below, as well as your own, and tell them:

• a "No" vote is meaningless without a filibuster
• it is cowardly to only fight a fight when assured victory
• the American people need to see the Senate standing up for separation of powers and against the "Unitary Executive"

Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: https://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?command=congdir

First: Call the three Democrats (Mary Landrieu, Ken Salazar, and Dianne Feinstein) who oppose Alito but also said they oppose a filibuster. We must persuade them that a vote against Alito is meaningless if they don't support a filibuster.

• Senator Salazar (D-CO)   202-224-5852
• Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)   202-224-5824
• Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)    202-224-3841

Second: Call your own Democratic Senator: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:
https://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?command=congdir

Third: Unbelievably, three Democrats (Ben Nelson, Tim Johnson and Robert Byrd) support Alito!  Tell them to either support filibuster or at least "don't get in the way."

• Sen. Ben Nelson  (D-NE) 202-224-6551
• Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) 202-224-3954
• Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 202-224-5842

Or 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

https://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?command=congdir

Fourth: Call the "Red State" Democrats: (Message same as above -- "No" is meaningless)

• Tom Carper (DE)
• Kent Conrad (ND)
• Byron Dorgan (ND)
• Blanche Lincoln (AR)
• Mark Pryor (AR)

Fifth: Call these "Blue State" and pro-choice Republicans: (Message: A "Unitary Executive" is dangerous to balance of powers--please do not get in the way of a filibuster.)

• Lincoln Chafee (RI)
• Susan Collins (ME)
• Lisa Murkowsky (AK)
• Bob Smith (OR)
• Olympia Snowe (ME)
• Ted Stevens (AK)

For extra credit, call all of the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators--Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry--and tell them to either LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or KISS YOUR SUPPORT GOODBYE.  888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:
https://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?command=congdir

You can also send that message to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (202-224-2447) and the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).

Share what you learn with Democrats.com members here:
https://www.democrats.com/alito-8

https://70.86.80.34/alito/alitosamerica.mov

Filibuster Alito: Bingaman's DC Office Phone Number is 202.224.5521

Ecumenical Voices for Democracy to Hold 1/29 Religion & Politics Forum on Poverty Issues

From Tom Solomon of Ecumenical Voices for Democracy:

Please come to this Sunday's Religion and Politics forum on "Poverty in America" at the Albuquerque TVI Smith Brasher Hall at 2 PM, January 29, 2006, corner of Coal and University.

"Nutrition, Housing, Health and Education are necessities. Is it a moral imperative that government provides these to those in need? Can religious leaders and people of faith support tax cuts when it results in an inability for government to provide for the poor?"

Please join us at this Sunday's public forum for this important discussion.

Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact on New Orleans and the ongoing debate about a Living Wage in NM highlight the deeply felt need for viable solutions to poverty in this country, yet the political dialogue surrounding them is mired in false left-vs-right stereotypes. Can people of faith shed some light on this debate?

Ecumenical Voices for Democracy, a group of New Mexico citizens organized to combat the misuse of religion in politics, is announcing its 4th forum on Religion and Politics, entitled, "Poverty in America: Whose Responsibility is it?"

The forum will utilize a panel composed of religious and academic leaders. The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Richard Wood, Director of the UNM Religious Studies program.

Panel members for the forum, "Poverty in America: Whose Responsibility is it?"  include:

• Patsy Kelton-Born, Executive Director, Project Share
• Frank Yates, Pastor, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
• Alex Lubin, Professor, UNM Department of American Studies
• Paul Yarbrough : Attorney and Board President, St. Thomas Aquinas School

NY Times Addresses Senators in Need of a Spine

Read today's New York Times editorial on the Alito nomination. Excerpts:

Judge Samuel Alito Jr., whose entire history suggests that he holds extreme views about the expansive powers of the presidency and the limited role of Congress, will almost certainly be a Supreme Court justice soon. His elevation will come courtesy of a president whose grandiose vision of his own powers threatens to undermine the nation's basic philosophy of government — and a Senate that seems eager to cooperate by rolling over and playing dead.

It is hard to imagine a moment when it would be more appropriate for senators to fight for a principle. Even a losing battle would draw the public's attention to the import of this nomination.

...A filibuster is a radical tool. It's easy to see why Democrats are frightened of it. But from our perspective, there are some things far more frightening. One of them is Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court.

Call Senator Bingaman, who has not yet indicated whether he will vote yes or no on Alito's nomination. It's being reported that Senator Kerry and others are still trying to muster other Dems to filibuster. You know what to do.

11:15 AM Update: Terry Brunner of Senator Bingaman's staff reports that the Senator will vote no on Alito. When asked whether Bingaman supports a filibuster, Terry responded that, unfortunately, they don't have the 40 votes needed for one. No word on whether the Senator would support one.

THIS JUST IN: House Floor Debate on Minimum Wage Set for Tomorrow Afternoon

Tomorrow is a BIG day for the minimum wage legislation. There will be a hearing of the House Labor Committee on the House Floor for opponents and proponents of the minimum wage bill. The Committee meeting was moved from its usual room to the House Floor because a large crowd is expected to attend. The Committee will be hearing testimony on Rep. Lujan's HB258.

Opponents of the minimum wage are aggressively organizing against this piece of legislation, so we need your support now.

Please join supporters at the State Capitol on the House Floor.
Who: All supporters of the minimum wage
When: Thursday, January 26th at 1:30 PM
Where: The House Floor, Roundhouse, Santa Fe
Please support the minimum wage legislation -- we need your help!

If you need a ride or more information, contact ACORN at 242-7411, nmacorn@acorn.org

Update: NM Minimum Wage Bills

House Speaker Ben Lujan's minimum wage bill, which is being supported by New Mexicans for a Fair Wage, has been introduced as HB258 and referred to the House Labor Committee. This Committee will meet on Thursday, January 26, at 1:30 PM in Room 305 at the Roundhouse. Click for House Labor Committee members and their contact information.

On the Senate side, Senator Ben Altamirano has introduced the Governor's version of the bill, which delays full implementation of the increase to $7.50 until 2009 and has other much less desireable elements. SB449 is currently in the Senate Committees Committee.

Now is the time to contact the appropriate committee members and your legislators to urge their support of Rep. Lujan's HB258 and your dissatisfaction with Sen. Altamirano's SB449.

And remember to sign up for Minimum Wage Lobby Day at the Legislature, scheduled for January 31st.

You can check our previous posts for more information on this issue:

ACTION ALERT: Two Proposals Will Shape NM Minimum Wage Legislation

ACTION ALERT: NM Rep. Lujan Introduces Minimum Wage Bill

Quote of the Day

An understatement from an article in the Christian Science Monitor:

"Many of these Democrats ran on the promise to fight with any means possible to bar someone like Samuel Alito," says Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University. "Yet, the Democrats could not even field their members to a filibuster. That will leave a view with many Democratic voters that the current Democratic leadership is ineffectual."