Democracy for New Mexico

Sen. Domenici's Pajama Moment

An incident involving New Mexico's senior Senator Pete Domenici that was reported in the Washington subscription-only publication, Roll Call, was picked up yesterday by the national blog, The Raw Story. Today, the story was front-paged at Daily Kos, adding fuel to the rumors and speculation that Sen. Domenici's level of health and/or mental fitness may preclude him from running for another six-year term in 2008. Of course this could also just be a case of Domenici's adoption of the kind of outfit allegedly favored by home-based bloggers since day one.

From Raw Story:

According to some staffers, a Republican Senator has been wandering around the Senate office buildings in his pajamas, Roll Call reports.

"We had a number of reports Friday that Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) was wandering the halls of Senate office buildings in his jammies," Mary Ann Akers writes. "Two staffers said they saw the Senator wearing 'tartan' or 'buffalo plaid' pajama bottoms and a 'loose-fitting shirt.' By the end of the day, one informant called to say she heard Domenici was walking around in his boxers."

From Roll Call

"What are people talking about 'walking the halls'? I work!'" the 74-year-old Domenici said, sounding a tad indignant that folks would assume his lightweight wool plaid pants were pajamas. "These pants have two pockets like any else."

He explained he wears the hunting pants around the house and if he leaves to go to the office, "I don't necessarily take them off."

They're comfy, and they're fun, he said. "People stop me to talk about them. They're Christmasy, they're black and white."

The names of several New Mexico politicos are being bandied about as possible candidates for Domenici's seat including NM-03 Congressman Tom Udall, AG Patricia Madrid, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, current Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and even Gov. Bill Richardson, should his executive branch ambitions fade. Mayor Chavez has said he wouldn't run for the Senate seat unless Sen. Domenici decides not to run for another term. Given that stories like the pajama incident are already making their way into the political dialogue, Chavez just may get the chance.

Latest on Bernalillo County Minimum Wage Hike Bill

From Terry Riley:
We almost made a terrible mistake! We missed an important political action, one that affects us all. We missed the Bernalillo County Commission meeting where they were going to vote on raising the minimum wage.

We all put a lot of time and energy into the election and a whole lot of people put a lot of energy into the counting of the absentee ballots by hand. It is unfortunate but just because we put a lot of time and energy into one direction we really need to be ready to work on others. I am referring to a very important County Commission meeting that was held this Tuesday evening. 

The minimum wage issue was to be voted on last night. I rushed down but I had planned poorly and was not in time to sign up to speak. There were about 20 people from ACORN. Some of the people who got up and spoke were prime examples of how terrible our low minimum wage is. The County Commission put off the vote until the December 12th meeting. This is very fortunate because there were nowhere near enough present to convince any councilors to support the issue if they were not already convinced that it is the right thing to do.

Political action requires that people stand up when the item of interest is being voted on. It looks to the councilors that only a very few people in Bernalillo County support raising the minimum wage. I really hope that there is a lot of support for it. 

We know that there are going to be minimum wage bills in the state legislature and in Congress this year. That is not a reason to just wait. There are a lot of times that legislators introduce a bill that they intend to not pass. They want to look good to the voters but they are only playing with us. 

If we push for and get an increase in the county we will have a better chance of getting it approved in the state. If a few more states pass minimum wage increases the Congress will consider passing a national minimum wage increase. We have to do what we can locally so that we can effect the national agenda.

Please make plans now to come to the Bernalillo County Commissioners meeting on December 12th.  If you can make it by 4:30 PM you can sign up to speak.  A well crafted short comment can turn the tide.  Please help make Bernalillo County a better place to live, a place where you have a better chance of making a living even if you are paid minimum wage. --Submitted by Terry Riley

Editor's Note: Today's Albuquerque Journal reported that three of the five Bernalillo County Commissioners have expressed support for the minimum wage bill:

In interviews Tuesday, commissioners Deanna Archuleta and Teresa Córdova said they expect to join Commission Chairman Alan Armijo in supporting the wage increase. Armijo is sponsoring the proposal.

"It's good for the community, and it's good to have consistency," Archuleta said. Commissioners Michael Brasher and Tim Cummins are expected to vote "no."

For contact information for the Bernalillo County Commissioners, . You're urged to contact your Commissioner and express support for the bill and then attend the Commission Meeting on December 12th to testify on its behalf.

James Lewis Fundraiser in ABQ Friday

James B. Lewis Fund Raiser!! Friday, November 3, 2006, 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Doubletree Hotel of Albuquerque, 201 Marquette NW, including refreshments and entertainment. Recommended Contribution $50.00. RSVP to Dorothy at 459-5921. Please join hosts:

Michael Gallegos, American Property Management Corp.
Dan Serrano, great Western Hotels
Albuquerque City Councilors:
Martin Heinrich, President
Isaac Benton  --  Debbie O'Malley
Michael Cadigan -- Ken Sanchez

ABQ CodePINK Hangs Huge GIVE PEACE A VOTE Banner Facing Heather Wilson's Office

All photos from ABQ CodePINK. Click photos for larger versions

From ABQ CodePINK:
We did it! Joan Baez's concert last night was a great springboard for our 60-foot Banner Drop across from Heather Wilson's congressional office in downtown Albuquerque this morning. Our banner flew for 20 minutes until "someone" phoned security.

More photos below:

10.25.06, across from Rep. Heather Wilson's office (NM-01)

Peace,
Rebecca Wilson
Albuquerque Coordinator
CODEPINK Women for Peace
Albuquerque, NM
abqcodepink@mac.com
www.albuquerquecodepink.info

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead calls for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.

UPDATE-POSTPONED: Bernalillo County Commission to Vote on Minimum Wage Tuesday 10/24

10.24.06 UPDATE: This bill will be recorded at the October 24 meeting, but discussion and voting on the bill has been postponed until a future meeting of the County Commission.

From NM ACORN:
Join us Tuesday, October 24, at 5:00 PM when the Bernalillo County Commission will debate and vote on Commissioner Alan Armijo's proposed minimum wage ordinance. The legislation mirrors the City of Albuquerque's ordinance, which will provide a minimum wage of $6.75, without exemption, to all workers beginning January 1 and rise to $7.50 by 2009. The meeting will take place in the Albuquerque City/County Chambers in the basement of 1 Civic Plaza. Please come before 5:00 in order to sign up to testify.

Also, be sure to contact your county commissioner at 768-4000 before Tuesday to express your support. You can also contact your commissioner . You can visit to determine your district. For more information, contact Matthew Henderson at nmacorn@acorn.org.

To Tax or Not to Tax: a Forum on the Bernalillo County Quality of Life Initiative

From the League of Women Voters of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County:

You're invited to a forum to learn more about the Quality of Life gross receipts tax proposed by Bernalillo County on Saturday, October 14, at 9:00 AM, at the Courtyards at Cutler Clubhouse, at 2403 San Mateo NE. There will be coffee and refreshments at 9:00 AM, and the forum will start at 9:30 AM.

On November 7, voters will be asked to approve the Quality of Life Gross Receipts Tax. Proceeds from this tax would be dedicated to cultural programs and activities. It has been the subject of much community debate.

Please join us for the first installment in LWV/ABC's new Voter Education Series, where the pros and cons of this tax will be discussed.

JUDY ANDERSON, member of the Quality of Life Campaign's Executive Committee, will speak in favor of the tax with "The Quality of Life Initiative 2006."

QUENTIN CHANDLER, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Government Relations at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, will speak on the other side of the issue. His presentation is entitled "If We Support the Quality of Life Initiative, Let's Get It Right."

Editor's Note: Thanks to Michelle Meaders for the heads up on this.

Bernalillo County Commissioners to Consider Minimum Wage Hike Today

From the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Bernalillo County Commissioners will consider raising the minimum wage in the county to $6.75. Under the proposal to be introduced today, the minimum wage would increase to $7.15 in 2008 and to $7.50 on Jan. 1, 2009 -- mirroring an ordinance adopted in April in Albuquerque. Santa Fe's minimum wage is $9.50.

Tips and commissions would be counted toward satisfying the minimum-wage requirement. Employers who pay at least $2,500 a year for health or child care benefits for employees would get a $1-per-hour reduction in the minimum-wage requirement. The state and federal governments set the minimum wage at $5.15. Gov. Bill Richardson has said he's considering pushing to increase the state's minimum wage to at least $7.50 an hour.

If you support the raise in the minimum wage in Bernalillo County, you're urged to contact your Commission TODAY. To find out which County Commission district you reside in, . You can then click through from there to get the contact info for your County Commissioner.

Repub Sex Scandal: Curiouser and Curiouser

The plot thickens. Here's Lawrence O'Donnell's latest revelation about Denny Hastert:

... Many chiefs of staff are close, very close, to their bosses on Capitol Hill. But none are closer than Scott Palmer is to Denny Hastert. They don't just work together all day, they live together [emphasis mine].

There are plenty of odd couple Congressmen who have roomed together on Capitol Hill, but I have never heard of a chief of staff who rooms with his boss. It is beyond unusual. But it must have its advantages. Anything they forget to tell each other at the office, they have until bedtime to catch up on. And then there's breakfast for anything they forgot to tell each other before falling asleep. And then there's all day at the office. Hastert and Palmer are together more than any other co-workers in the Congress.

Read the entire post by O'Donnell on Huffington Post to understand why this is important to the evolving Foley scandal. An earlier post by O'Donnell provides more background, as does this story from today's Washington Post -- which reports that another Congressional staffer has backed up the contention that Hastert knew of Foley's problems long ago.

You really have to wonder about these odd, secretive, repressed Republicans and what they are capable of doing to protect their own interests -- including the stealthy actions and lies of Rep. Heather Wilson regarding the infamous disappearing file on her husband when she was Secretary of the NM Department of Children, Youth and Families.

What emerges is how hypocritical so many of these right-wing types are, always putting themselves out front as sterling models of morality and "family values," meanwhile using gay marriage and other wedge "morality" issues to stir up hatred. Not surprisingly, they themselves often eventually get caught doing the very things they are supposedly so vehemently against.

I have to say that this kind of denial, dishonesty and mean-spiritedness is evident in the handling of almost every right-wing issue these days, from the Iraq occupation, to their sorry excuse for a prescription drug plan, to economic fairness. These types are masters of saying one thing and doing another. But maybe -- just maybe -- the tables are turning at last and more will be revealed. Has the light of day ever been more essential in discovering the real meaning of what's gone on in Washington during the Bush years?

THIS WEEKEND: EQNM Town Hall Meeting, Canvass

From Equality New Mexico:
The Albuquerque town hall will be held from 7:00 pm - 9:00 PM, Friday, October 6th, at the UNM Law School in Room 2402. The UNM Law School is located on North Campus of UNM off of Yale Avenue. 

The Albuquerque Canvass for Equality will be run out of the EQNM Office at 1410 Coal SW in downtown Albuquerque on Saturday October 7 from 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM.  We'll even feed you breakfast and lunch!

The Elections and the Legislative Session are fast approaching. Equality New Mexico is gearing up to face one of the most difficult legislative cycles ever. We need to elect more allies to the Legislature. As New Mexico remains one of four states without a DOMA and one of only a handful of states that provides any protection against discrimination, our opponents have already stated that New Mexico will be one of their highest targets.

In order for us to make any progress during the legislative session, we must make sure that the legislators know that we are a force on election day. We must work together to make sure that the LGBT community and our allies get out and vote on November 7, and are mobilized for the upcoming session.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! To sign up to attend the town hall meeting and canvass or to get more info send an e-mail to fela@eqnm.org.

Equality New Mexico is fighting for full civil rights for all New Mexicans. Please help us continue the fight. To make a donation online today at our secure website click here or send a check to EQNM at P.O. Box 25683, Albuquerque, NM 87125

Progressive Voter Alliance of Las Cruces Hosts Successful Campaign Fair

This is a guest post by Ed Fulmer a renewable energy advocate who blogs at Alternative Comment:

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 2006, A CAMPAIGN FAIR: The Progressive Voter Alliance was organized in Las Cruces to continue the volunteer momentum of the 2004 election. PVA is the focal point for candidates, activists and voters who support a variety of progressive issues.

Organizations such as MoveOn and Protect the Vote were arrayed along with local candidates around the room at tables accessible to interested individuals. Candidate presentations included Jeff Steinborn, Nate Cote, Antonio Lujan’s spokes person, Cathilia Flores and Karen Perez.

Jeff Steinborn is running for the open seat in State House District 37. He gave a status report on the curb side recycling effort, vowing not to let the issue die. Jeff expects to be targeted by the oil and gas industry because his work with New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. He pledged his support for increased access to health care, a living wage and conservation.

Nate Cote is running for State House District 53. This district has been represented for 12 years by an Almagordo Republican, but 3/4 of the population and 8 of 10 precincts are in Dona Ana County.  Cote supports developing solar and geothermal energy in the East Mesa. District 35 Representative Antonio Lujan's spokes person, Cathilia Flores pointed out Lujan’s support for a living wage, union rights and environmental issues. She was enthusiastic about renewable energy legislation for the coming session. 

The Dona Ana County County Commission races will determine which party has marjority vote. If candidates Karen Perez, District 3 and Oscar Butler, District 1 win, they will join Democrat Bill McCamley, District 5 to move the county forward on key issues. Karen Perez, a civil engineer, supports comprehensive planning, work force development, water management and infrastucture improvements.

Implementing Renewable Energy policy is dependent upon electing supportive local and state officials. There are 35 days left until the elections. VOTE SOLAR.

This is a guest blog by Ed Fulmer. If you'd like to submit a piece for possible publication as a guest blog, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of DFNM's main page.