Democracy for New Mexico

KOB-TV to Air Richardson Documentary Today

KOB-TV will air a 30-minute, commercial-free documentary on Governor Richardson today, Saturday, October 22, at 6:30 PM.

From childhood, through his congress days and the present, the show features interviews with leading democrats in the state (including Governor Richardson) and people who worked with him in his early days in New Mexico. Produced by Neil Simon

Reminder: DPBC Third Thursday Meeting on Healthcare Tomorrow

From the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County:

Third Thursday meeting, October 20
6:00 PM, UNM Law School, Room 2401
All Democrats Welcome
Topic: Time to Confront the Health-Care Crisis
Speaker:  Mary Feldblum, Executive Director, Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign

The New Mexico Health Care Plan (the Health Security Act) is gaining broad support. The Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, a growing coalition of 105 organizations, has been receiving public input for over ten years and is proposing that New Mexico set up its own health plan with freedom of choice of provider and a comprehensive benefits package. Private insurers could offer supplemental packages as they presently do with Medicare.

A Small Mutiny

Surprisingly, Senate Democrats didn't automatically give Governor Bill Richardson everything he wanted at the Special Legislative Session just completed. Shapes of things to come?

From the New Mexican:

The special session of the New Mexico Legislature that ended Wednesday might be remembered as the first time the state Senate mutinied against Gov. Bill Richardson.

The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, basically gave the Democratic governor what he wanted. Richardson called the session to push his plans for dealing with rising energy prices — use the state’s windfall from oil-and-gas revenues to fund rebate checks to taxpayers and pass a law aimed at price-gouging . But an emboldened Senate, also controlled by Democrats , had ideas of its own. “The governor didn’t consult with Democrats or Republicans in the Senate,” said Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque . “Finally the Senate realized that we are elected to do our own business without taking orders from the governor.”

Sen. John Grubesic, D-Santa Fe, sounded a similar theme: “One of the surprises of this session was that the Senate is restoring itself as an independent body. This should send a strong message to the executive that you need to think these things out.”

Some Democratic senators, such as President Pro-tem Ben Altamirano of Silver City and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose, downplayed the conflict with the governor — though they still voted against some of Richardson’s wishes.

One of Richardson’s bills — the price-gouging legislation — was shot down.

And the governor’s energy relief package was pumped up virtually beyond recognition, evoking cries of “irresponsible” and “reckless” from the governor’s office.

With a windfall of more than $800 million in state funds produced by taxes on skyrocketing gas and oil prices, I can't see how spending a little more than $250 million on relief for citizens, schools and others will be bankrupting the state government anytime soon.

Richardson is threatening to veto some of the package, specifically the $109 million in personal income-tax rate reductions that were speeded up by the Legislature. We'll see. But it seems clear that if the Governor wants to be effective in the next regular session in January, he'll have to do some fence mending within his own Party.

What bothered me most about Richardson's actions was his threat to force the legislators to stay in special session for many more days to consider a raise in the minimum wage. Evidently, this would have been a sort of "punishment" for not swallowing his energy cost relief package whole. A minimum wage measure has been mentioned by the Governor and others for consideration at the regular session in January. It's sure to create controversy -- and long debates.

I think it's unconscionable that Richardson would use an issue of such huge importance to the economic well-being of our citizens as a mere bludgeon to try and get rebellious legislators in line. We deserve better than that, don't we? In particular, I hope the much needed raise in the state's minimum wage will be given its due in the regular session in January, despite it's being used as a political football this time out.

Here's a rundown on the final version of the energy relief package passed by the Legislature.

Meanwhile, there'll be an "extraordinary session" of the Legislature starting October 28 to consider whether there's enough evidence to impeach indicted State Treasurer Robert Vigil. As of yesterday, 19 more counts of extortion have been added to the indictment.

Roberts Confirmed as Supreme Court Justice

John Roberts was confirmed by the U.S. Senate this morning as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on a vote of 78-22. Click for a complete vote tally.

I note that most Dems who have their eyes on running for president voted no. NM Senator Jeff Bingaman voted yes. Perhaps the most surprising votes were a no by our Senate leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), a moderate Dem, and a much criticized yes by long-time liberal Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

What the vote tells me is that the Democrats in the Senate have no discipline or cohesiveness in terms of Party unity. What a stark contrast to Republicans, as we know. Many have touted the Democratic strategy on Roberts, such that it is, as "keeping our powder dry" so we might better fight against Bush's next nominee. We'll see. Personally, I'm wondering if Dems have any powder available for any battle as the opposition party. When was the last time this bunch stood up as a bloc and passionately defended core Democratic principles? Can you remember?

I know that we couldn't defeat Roberts with the Senate dominated by Republicans. But it seems to me that a yes vote for a candidate who refused to answer even the most rudimentary questions about his views and values represents a head-in-the-sand approach to governing. Remember, BushCo refused to hand over reams and reams of Roberts' record when he served in the solicitor general's office. The yes votes by Dems serve to communicate that that's just all right by them.

Dems Who Voted Yes on Roberts:

Yes Votes by Dems:

Baucus (MT)
Bingaman (NM)
Byrd (WV)
Carper (DE)
Conrad (ND)
Dodd (CT)
Dorgan (ND)
Feingold (WI)
Johnson (SD)
Kohl (WI)
Landrieu (LA)
Leahy (VT)
Levin (MI)
Lieberman (CT)
Lincoln (AR)
Murray (WA)
Nelson, Ben (NE)
Nelson, Bill (FL)
Pryor (AR)
Rockefeller (WV)
Salazar (CO)
Wyden (OR)

We Need More Dems Like This

In the current environment of scandal in New Mexico, we can forget that the majority of Democratic Party candidates and officeholders here and around the nation are honest, hard-working advocates for ordinary citizens, justice and fairness. To me, it's critically important that Democrats who do run their affairs according to the highest ethical standards be vocal and passionate in demanding accountability in all echelons of the Party. Here's an item on one of them who is doing just that:

PRC Commissioner Jason Marks Returns Robert Vigil Campaign Contribution; Calls for Impeachment to be Heard During Special Session

Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks (D-Alb.) announced on 9/23/05 that he is returning a $50 campaign contribution he received towards his 2004 election effort from the Robert Vigil for Treasurer Committee. Marks stated that the media reports about Mr. Vigil’s indictment caused him to remember a $50 contribution he had received in October 2004, and to look into the finance reports filed around that time by Vigil’s campaign committee. Per Marks:

Regardless of whether Vigil is guilty of the specific criminal charges that have been made against him, his own filed reports show that his campaign committee collected tens of thousands of dollars from investment advisors, brokers, bankers, and others with a direct interest in obtaining (or retaining) business with the State Treasuer's Office. It is clear to me that it was only the largesse of these individuals that made it possible for Vigil’s fund to dole out support to my PRC campaign and to many other campaigns last year. In my own race, I did not accept contributions from persons who I knew to have a direct  interest in the business of the Public Regulation Commission. I cannot in good conscience keep money that came from the Vigil campaign fund, when it now seems that it was originally generated with an improper motive. 

Because Marks closed his campaign account earlier this year, he refunded the Vigil contribution with a personal check.

Impeachment
Marks further wishes to state that, while Vigil is entitled to a presumption of innocence in the criminal sense pending a trial, the damning facts that have been reported in the media indicate  that Vigil is not fit to continue serving as Treasurer, even in a “recused” capacity. If Vigil will not resign, Marks believes that the special session of the Legislature should conduct an Impeachment Trial to hear the charges (and Vigil’s defenses) and determine whether or not there are grounds for Vigil’s removal pursuant to the State Constitution.  Marks commends the Governor and Attorney General for negotiating an arrangement that keeps Vigil away from the Treasurer’s Office immediately, but believes this should only be an interim measure until the Legislature convenes.

Calling all REFORM Democrats

Joe Monahan discusses the potential fallout from the arrest and indictment of State Treasurer Robert Vigil and his predecessor in that office, Michael Montoya, both Democrats, for extortion to the tune of $650,000. As Monahan says:

Why was an alleged ten year kickback scheme not uncovered sooner? Where was the Legislative oversight, the state auditor, the state police, the attorney general, the press? All of whom had inklings of a problem. What about the State Investment Council? Where were those guys? The ugly mess points to an obvious need for much more scrutiny of state investment dollars.

We have a Governor, State Auditor and Attorney General who are Dems, and a Dem-dominated Legislature in NM. None of these people knew about this alleged graft or were prepared to do anything about it? I do note that the biggest contributor to Dem Domingo Martinez's successful 2004 campaign for State Auditor was a Richard Montoya. Any relation? I don't know.

Emily Esterson at New West also weighs in on this mess and the long history of kickbacks in NM politics.

Right on the heels of this story, we hear that Democratic Mayor Chavez's pick for City Council District 3, Diana Dorn-Jones, lied about her previous bankruptcy and tax lien when responding to questions by the Albuquerque Journal. And that in line with the Journal's support for Chavez and his deep pocket developer campaign base, the Journal accepted Dorn-Jones' lame excuses at face value.

And of course we have the ABQPAC and police evidence room scandals of Dem Mayor Marty Chavez himself. Note that Dem Attorney General Patricia Madrid found nothing to prosecute in the evidence room scandal, despite the Albuquerque police chief having to resign and more.

I ask you: Isn't it high time for every prominent (and rank and file) Democrat to step up and loudly condemn the crooks in the Party, whether they hold public office or hold sway within Party ranks? And to conduct a full-scale cleansing to remove those who operate in the shadows to bring ruin and shame to everything they touch? I'm not talking lip service here, but a real pursuit of corrupt, on the take Dems at all levels of the Party.

There's been an ongoing battle within the Dem Party between "progressive" Dems and "centrist" or "DLC" Dems, but isn't the REAL battle for the Party's soul pitting those who tolerate and even encourage crooks, kickbacks and shady big donors and those who want to REFORM the Party and rebuild it as a the Party of the People?

Of course there's corruption abundantly evident in both Parties. Certainly Bush's Republican neocons have exhibited massive levels of corruption and cronyism. Somehow, that's to be expected in a Party dedicated to maximizing the wealth of the few. But too many in today's Democratic Party seem more than willing to abandon the working and middle classes in order to build up personal political warchests, PACs and kickback kingdoms. As a life-long Dem, I find this especially craven and disgusting.

Perhaps it's time for a new Reform Party along the lines of Teddy Roosevelt's old Bull Moose Party or Robert La Follett's Progressive Party -- devoted to getting the big money corruption and crony capitalism out on both sides of the aisle and reshaping the government to serve ordinary people. Or maybe it's just time for honest Dems who believe in the Party's traditional core values to step up and demand ethics reform at every level of the Democratic Party -- no ifs, ands or buts allowed. Enough is enough.

UPDATE on the continuing fallout from the state treasurer scandal at Joe Monahan.

Must Read: Dean on Roberts

DNC Chair Howard Dean shreds Supreme Court nominee John Roberts in an email to Dems and an op-ed piece that will be appearing in newspapers across the nation. Read them and act by writing a letter to the editor of your paper. Excerpt:

The consistent mark of Roberts' career is a lack of commitment to making the Constitution's promise of equal protection a reality for all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable in our society.

He has opposed laws protecting the rights of girls and young women to have the same opportunities in sports as boys and young men. He has argued that politicians, not individual women themselves, ought to control women's reproductive health care. He has opposed various remedies for the racial injustices which have occurred in America since slavery and which persist today. He has consistently joined the radical right in seeking to weaken voting rights protections, in essence attacking the rights of black and Hispanic voters to cast their ballot without paying poll taxes or being subjected to intimidation or gerrymandering. He fought against protecting all Americans from workplace discrimination. Most worrisome, he refused to answer questions on his limited view of the right to personal privacy that most Americans take for granted.

It will be enlightening to see which Dems will vote according to core Democratic values on Roberts and which ones will collapse in spineless surrender, won't it?

RSVP for Voter Registration Agent Training & Signup

The Bernalillo County Clerk's office is presenting a Voter Registration Agent Training and Agent sign-up:

Tuesday, September 6th
6 PM - 8 PM
Plumbers Hall
510 San Pedro SE

Please RSVP to Marci Youngmark at State Democratic Party HQ at 830-3650 so that the Clerks Office can bring enough Voter Registration Forms.

In order to register new voters using the new state forms, you must become a registration agent and get trained in the new procedures. If you plan on volunteering with the Democratic Party of NM at their booth at the NM State Fair or registering voters in your precinct or at other events, this is the time to get signed up and learn the new rules.

DPBC Resolutions Committee Meeting Set for 9/7

The Resolutions Committee of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County has scheduled its next meeting:

DPBC Resolutions Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Plumbers Hall
510 San Pedro SE
Albuquerque

This meeting is open to all Democrats.

If you'd like to submit a resolution for consideration by this committee, please contact your ward chair who can put you in touch with your Resolutions Committee member, or contact Terri Holland at the Bernalillo County Dem Office for more information: call 256-1855 or email info@BernalilloDems.org

Resolutions passed at the County Party level will be submitted to the State Party's Resolutions Committee. If approved, they will be submited to the State Central Committee for consideration. The State Central Committee is expected to hold its next meeting sometime in October.

Click for a list of resolutions passed at the State Central Committee meeting in April of this year.

Sunday (Political) Bird Blogging

Bosco the peach-faced lovebird, being a loyal member of DFA-Democracy for New Mexico and a passionate progressive, is doing all he can to get Eric Griego elected as Mayor of Albuquerque:

Bosco is also a strong supporter of Marianne Dickinson, running for City Council in District 7, and he gets into being a progressive netroots activist. Here he's making a visit to Marianne's website to make a donation:

If a lovebird can be this active, think what YOU can do! Just some of Bosco's favorite campaign websites:

Eric Griego for Mayor

Marianne Dickinson for City Council, Dist. 7

Ike Benton for City Council, Dist. 3

Chris Catechis for City Council, Dist. 9

Albuquerque Living Wage Campaign

Common Cause Campaign for Open and Ethical Elections Code

(Click on photos for larger images.)