Democracy for New Mexico

Laura Bush Spills the Beans on Rubber Stamp Heather

Photo courtesy AP

Laura Bush snuck into Albuquerque Monday morning to raise bucks for Heather Wilson's NM congressional campaign at a thousand-dollar-per-plate breakfast meeting at the Marriott Pyramid. She also made a quick stop at an elementary school so taxpayers would be forced to foot the bill for what was essentially a campaign trip to benefit Republicans. Unlike Democrats who travel here to campaign, Republicans like Laura usually keep their wearabouts quiet until after the fact. I guess they fear the public showing up at their events to ruin the carefully choreographed photo ops.

Despite the secrecy about her activities, Laura managed to let the cat out of the bag about Wilson's authentic political leanings. Wilson has recently launched a campaign to publicly pretend that she's -- why shucks -- just your garden variety "moderate" and not a rubber stamp for the far right-wing agenda of George Bush. However, according to the Albuquerque Journal:

The first lady was in Albuquerque for about two hours Monday, headlining a fundraising breakfast for Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., before making the stop at Bel-Air Elementary and then flying on to Nebraska.

Wilson, described by Bush as a "clear, conservative voice in Congress," said she raised about $200,000 at the breakfast, which was attended by about 150 people. Wilson is seeking re-election this year.

A clear, conservative voice, indeed, given the fact she votes in lockstep with Bush and his radical agenda about 90% of the time, while pretending she's an "independent" out there fighting for truth, justice and the American way. A thank you is in order for Ms. Laura for setting the record straight and revealing the true conservative bent of Ms. Heather, a Bush fellow traveler if there ever was one. To celebrate, why not sign up to support Democrat Patricia Madrid in her challenge to Heather in New Mexico's first congressional district? Out with the Bush rubber stamp. In with a real representative of the needs of New Mexicans.

The League Seeks Deputy Director Candidates

From Keegan King, The League of Young Voters NM:
The League of Young Voters/The League of Young Voters Education Fund is seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Director in Albuquerque. Click for a PDF with more information and a job description. Please pass this along to folks who might be interested in applying.

Wireless Action Network Formed

From New Mexico IndyMedia:
Wireless Action Network of New Mexico (WAN-NM) has been formed to aid in linking and networking activists and individuals in New Mexico who are concerned with health hazards associated with wireless technologies. Concerned citizens and activists from New Mexico can participate in an internet forum at - https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/wireless-action/

The recent explosive growth of wireless technologies, such as cellular phones and their base-stations ('towers"), WiFi systems, and the like, has been occuring without much public awareness of the real and potential health risks associated with the microwave radiation which these wireless technologies radiate.

The wireless communications industry, as with most government agenies, insists that the public has no scientifically-based reasons for personal or public health concerns, and that the Federal Communications Commission 's (FCC) exposure standards are adequate to the protection of our health.

But the FCC's exposure standards, and those similar to them in other nations, have long been in serious doubt by many scientists around the world. A substantial body of scientific evidence suggests that wireless technologies may have serious negative public health conseqences.

Amazingly, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 resulted in local communities and state governments losing their right to regulate the placement of wireless communications base-stations (towers, antennas) on public health grounds, effectively robbing local communities of their democratic rights. ( See: https://www.wave-guide.org/library/tca_hist.html )

Wireless Action Network of New Mexico has begun as an internet-based connecting and networking tool. WAN-NM members plan to evolve and grow their networking resources and tools so that those who do not use the interent can participate fully.

You can participate in the forum, or learn about the issues at - https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/wireless-action/

Herrera Orders Paper Ballot Machines

From Paul Stokes of United Voters NM:
Mary Herrera has confirmed that she has ordered 500 ES&S Model 100 precinct opscans, two ES&S Model 650 central scanners, and AutoMARK ballot marking  machines. She said she did not know when purchase orders would be placed by the  State.

We can hope that this sets the example for the remaining county clerks  who have not yet ordered equipment for converting to paper ballots.

Editor's Note: A new article by Warren Stewart of VoteTrustUSA called "Paper Ballots: The Times They Are A-Changin,’" discusses the move by New Mexico and Maryland to paper ballot systems.

DFNM Member Checks in From China

I recently got several emails from Dave Poyer, who is spending a year in China teaching English. Dave is also writing columns about his experiences overseas for the Albuquerque Tribune. His latest columns are here and here. Go here for a collection of all his columns from China. You may recall that Dave worked for David Steele's campaign for Albuquerque mayor and attended our Meetup. Here's Dave checking in from Beijing:

Hi  Barbara,

Just wanted to say hello and thank you. I'm a NM DFA  member who's decided to go to China to teach English for a year. I've decided that this is the type of action one person can do to make  a difference in the world. Especially since President Bush has done our nation's reputation such damage with his reckless foreign  policy. The breach must be repaired little by little.

Many people  here in Beijing know and love President Clinton. Many also took Kerry's 2004  defeat to heart as well. They know how important the differences are.

Barbara, living in a country where political activism is punished with a bullet to the brain, I appreciate what you do now more than ever. What you do is often hard, and may seem thankless.  But this New Mexican acknowledges and appreciates all that you do.  You and all the NM DFA folks, now more than ever.

Many brave Chinese people maintain political blogsites at incredible risk to their lives and their family's lives.  They hunger for what so many in our land take for granted. Most here do not know what it means to vote, or to call a Congressman, or to protest injustices.  An angry letter to the editor is not possible here.

Thank you all for fighting the good fight back home.  I realize how lucky we are to have you folks.

Take care,
DAVE  POYER
poyerd@hotmail.com

Editor's Note: Dave would love to hear from you at the email address above.

Every Vote Counts in NM!

Above: Gov. Bill Richardson signs the Count Every Vote Act

Go watch Governor Bill Richardson sign the Count Every Vote Act -- the bill requiring paper ballots in every County of New Mexico. The video is now archived and available, along with video of Governor Richardson's State of the State speech: Click Here. Even more important, while you're there be sure to sign the petition to get every state to join New Mexico in passing legislation to make every vote count.

Above: Gov. Richardson passing out the magic signing pens he used to make this Act a reality.

Above: Big thanks to Terry Riley, Rep. Ed Sandoval, Sen. Linda Lopez, Speaker of the House Ben Lujan and Paul Stokes, all of whom worked like crazy to make this happen during the 30-day Legislative Session.

I'll have more to say about this event and more photos soon. It was a momentous day that deserves alot of ink. Right now, however, I'm off to our DFA-DFNM Meetup to celebrate this victory and to keep on keepin' on. Our work is never over, is it? Certainly all Democrats can agree on that.

Gov. Richardson Appoints Martin Heinrich as Natural Resources Trustee

From the Office of the Governor:
(Santa Fe, NM) – Governor Bill Richardson yesterday appointed Martin Heinrich as the Natural Resources Trustee for the State of New Mexico.

“Martin Heinrich is a proven conservationist,” said Governor Richardson. “He is someone who has successfully worked to protect our land and water for the benefit of the people of New Mexico. As our state’s Natural Resources Trustee, I am confident Heinrich will continue that commitment to New Mexico’s environment.”

The Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) is charged with the restoration of damaged natural resources, and when that is not possible, with the replacement or acquisition of equivalent natural resources to those which were lost or impaired. When possible, the Office of Natural Resources Trustee accomplishes these goals through a cooperative process with the responsible parties.

Martin Heinrich currently serves as the President of the Albuquerque City Council. He has worked on numerous successful preservation and restoration projects on both public and private land. These have included working cooperatively with New Mexico’s congressional delegation and the Pueblo of Zia to create the Ojito Wilderness and preserve over 10,000 acres of archeologically unique land in Sandoval County, restoring ponderosa pine forest on private land in the Zuni Mountains, and preserving several hundred acres of the Sandia Mountains as Albuquerque Open Space.

Heinrich replaces Jim Baca who recently stepped down as Natural Resources Trustee. Baca was appointed by Governor Richardson in 2003.

“Jim has served the state, our people and our resources well,” said Governor Richardson. “He has been an excellent steward of the state’s natural resources and especially of our water. I thank him for his service and wish him the best.”

Help Kick Off Emerge New Mexico

The Honorable Diane Denish, Lieutenant Governor, and The Honorable Patricia Madrid, Attorney General and candidate for Congress, invite you to join in a kickoff celebration of:

EMERGE NEW MEXICO
Recruiting and training Women Democrats for elected office for a better New Mexico

Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 6:30-8:30 PM
At the home of Randi McGinn
2105 Campbell Rd N.W. , Albuquerque
UPDATE: This event has outgrown the private home and has been moved to:
Slate Street Cafe
515 Slate St. NW
Albuquerque NM 87102
Phone 243-2210
Free munchies and cash bar
Please RSVP to koobjulie@yahoo.com 505.920.6002
A $50 Contribution is requested for Training Scholarships

Check out their new website at https://www.emergenm.org/.

NO VICTORY On Minimum Wage Bill

Looks like at least one stubborn Democratic Senator wouldn't budge. According to Kate Nash's Roundhouse Report:

The House early Wednesday approved SB 446, a measure by Senate President Ben Altamirano, a Silver City Democrat, to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 next year and $7.50 in 2008.

But because the House amended it, House and Senate negotiators had to meet in private this morning to work out a compromise that ultimately failed to pass both chambers.

However, because a tax measure (HB 82) strongly supported by Governor Richardson also failed to pass, reports are that he may call the legislators back into a Special Session to deal with these two issues. We can hope. HB 82 is a sweeping tax measure that includes a working families tax credit.

Here's what New Mexicans For a Fair Wage had to say:

No Bill
A dramatic finish to the legislative session produced no minimum wage bills for the Governor to sign or veto.  A House/Senate Conference committee came up with a compromise bill that looked very much like the Speaker's bill late this morning. The House approved the conference bill but the senate ran out of time and failed to act on the bill. 

Who would have guessed that the New Mexico legislature would come within a single vote of passing one of the strongest minimum wage bills in the country? Though surely disappointed by the loss, we are in excellent shape. If the Governor does call a special session, we should be able to pass a good bill. If not, we are well-poised for next year, and we are moving ahead on local initiatives around New Mexico. 

Thanks to all the coalition members and supporters, Speaker Lujan, Governor Richardson, and Senator Altamirano.  Stay tuned for more updates.

VICTORY On Paper Ballots Bill!

I just got official word that SB 295, the paper ballot voting bill, received final approval in the NM Senate at midnight last night! It's now on the way to the Governor's office for signature.

Months and months of work by many election reform activists and legislators, as well as Governor Richardson and his staffers, has paid off bigtime! Special thanks go out to Verified Voting NM, United Voters of NM and Voter Action NM, as well as to the members of Democracy for New Mexico and other grassroots activists who visited the Legislature, wrote letters and made phone calls on behalf of this bill!

Congratulations to the bill's sponsor, Senator Linda Lopez, to Governor Richardson for making this legislation a top priority and to all who toiled so hard and so long to obtain a system New Mexico voters can depend on for accuracy and auditability. Very special thanks to Paul Stokes, Charlie Strauss and Terry Riley for hours too numerous to count spent at meetings of the Election Reform Task Force, Legislative hearings and keeping everyone informed.

I'll provide more on this as details emerge. We know there's more work to do to make this a reality, but for now, let's celebrate! (Thanks to Amanda Cooper for the heads up on this.)