Democracy for New Mexico

Watch Today's Live Webcast of Gov. Richardson's State of the State Address

Santa Fe Roundhouse Rotunda

The New Mexico Legislature's 2007 60-day session convenes today and Governor Bill Richardson will give his State of the State address to legislators. The speech can be viewed live online by visiting the Governor’s website at www.governor.state.nm.us and then clicking on the link provided on the home page. The speech is scheduled to begin after the Legislature takes care of initial business -– between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. For those who cannot watch live, a recording of the speech will also be available on the Governor’s website following the opening session, along with the full text (PDF) of the speech.

Local TV stations KOB, Channel 4, and KNME, Channel 5, have announced they will carry the speech live.

You can read an acccount by Kate Nash of the Albuquerque Tribune of Richardson's dry run of the speech and more here.

Santa Fe New Mexican reporter, Steve Terrell, provides an overview of what's expected at this year's session. He'll also be blogging about the Legislature at his Roundhouse Roundup.

The Albuquerque Tribune's Kate Nash will be blogging about the session at her Roundhouse Report. She analyzes this year's proposed legislation here.

And , Eric Griego and Suzanne Prescott's new show on Progressive Talk Radio, 1350 AM, will be focusing on the Legislature every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

This is the 48th NM Legislature since we achieved statehood in 1912. Gov. Richardson has dubbed it the "year of water."

UPDATE: Here are the listings for the new officers officially elected today before the Governor gave his speech:

NM House Leaders

NM Senate Leaders

NM Sen. Ortiz y Pino to Call for Withdrawing Our Troops from Iraq

The New Mexico Senate Democrats have issued a press release announcing that NM Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino will introduce a Senate Memorial this session calling for withdrawing our troops from Iraq. Click to download a PDF of the document. Excerpts:

In announcing his decision, Senator Ortiz y Pino pointed to the service and sacrifices of New Mexico's National Guard troops who have been placed in harm's way by the federal government. The Memorial is designed to draw the attention of the public and the federal Administration to the difficulties US troops are facing both abroad and at home. Over 72 cities have endorsed resolutions of their own calling for an end to US involvement in Iraq.

... New Mexico has felt the heavy impacts of the war in Iraq. Because President Bush deployed New Mexico's Army and Air National Guard to seek nonexistent weapons of mass destruction and on the basis of a pretended link to September 11th, over 3,000 New Mexican Guardsmen have already served in Iraq -- some more than once. Nationally, the Department of Defense has reported that National Guard and Reserve troops are being called up at three times their sustainable rate.

... According to Senator Ortiz y Pino, "What was once paraded before the American public as the most serious threat facing our national security has now become a tar baby that needlessly threatens American lives and our national solvency." The intractable nature of the Iraq war has diminished the federal budget resources that could otherwise be employed to address other national budgetary priorities. In an attempt to control the resulting surge of deficit spending, the new Congress has decided to employ the continuing resolution process.

"It is time for us to forthrightly face the truth that confronts us and to bravely do what that truth calls for -- and so I am introducing a Memorial to do just that. And one that points out that the President may also have violated federal law by his actions" concluded Senator Ortiz y Pino.

REMINDER: Tune in Eric Griego's New Radio Show Today at 3 PM on 1350 AM

A new radio talk show, ‘Insight New Mexico,’ produced by our frequent guest blogger Suzanne Prescott, premieres TODAY, January 13, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Clear Channel’s 1350 AM Talk Radio in Albuquerque. Host of the show, Weekly Alibi columnist and former Albuquerque City Councilman Eric Griego, says the show will help fill the need for in depth state and local New Mexico radio broadcast news coverage. Visit the show's website and blog at . See our previous post for more information on the show. Today's guests will include NM State Sen. Dede Feldman, Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse, Albuquerque journlist and radio personality James Scarantino and a Surprise Guest.

NM Sen. Ortiz y Pino to Introduce Impeachment Bill at NM Legislature

NM Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino plans to introduce a NM Impeachment Resolution at the NM Legislative Session that begins on January 16th in Santa Fe. Click to download a draft copy of the bill (PDF), which will be cosponsored by Sen. John Grubesic. The title of the bill is "A Joint Resolution Petitioning Congress to Commence the Investigation of and Impeachment Proceedings Against President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney."

A story on this effort in New Mexico is front-paged on Daily Kos today, and includes an excellent description of how the process works when a state legislature approves such a measure.

The proposed resolution also gets a mention in an article by David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org:

In New Mexico, a leading light of that state's politics, State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque, will be leading the way on impeachment. He deserves the support of all the world, and you can thank him at jortizyp@aol.com or 505-986-4380. Let's help him make New Mexico the land of enchantment and impeachment.

If you'd like to urge your legislators to support this resolution, you can find contact information at the NM Legislature Website.

Join ACORN at Minimum Wage Lobby Day

From NM ACORN:
Join us for the 2007 New Mexicans for Fair Wage Lobby Day, Thursday, January 18. We expect Minimum Wage legislation to move quickly this year, so we are storming the Roundhouse early to make sure we get a bill that's better than what Congress is considering.  We want:

• $7.50 by 2009
• Cost of Living Increases annually
• Local Control: no preemption of cities or counties that want to pass higher wage laws
• Universal coverage: A minimum wage for ALL workers without exemption or exception

Meet us at 10:30 AM on the 18th at the East entrance to the Roundhouse for a brief rally before breaking into delegations to talk to legislators. We will then rally with our Sponsor and Supporters at 12:00 Noon on the West Steps of the Roundhouse.

To get on ACORN's buses from Albuquerque or Las Cruces, email Matthew Henderson at nmacorn@acorn.org.

Eric Griego Launches Radio Talk Show in Time for NM 2007 Legislative Session

From '':
A new radio talk show, ‘Insight New Mexico,’ produced by our frequent guest blogger Suzanne Prescott, premieres January 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Clear Channel’s 1350 AM Talk Radio. Host of the show, Weekly Alibi columnist and former Albuquerque City Councilman Eric Griego (photo right), says the show will help fill the need for in depth state and local New Mexico radio broadcast news coverage.

“Each week we’ll wrap up major activities in New Mexico’s Roundhouse with interviews from my guests who are on top of the issues,” Griego said.

The premiere show lineup for January 13th Includes:

• Dede Feldman, well known and widely respected State Senator, who will preview major issues coming up in the 2007 legislative session.
• Maggie Toulouse, newly appointed Bernalillo County Clerk, who will discuss her goals for upcoming elections.
• James Scarantino, Albuquerque journalist & radio personality, who will provide his own take on where the legislature is going and how common media outlets will cover the issues.
• A Surprise Special Guest: What show would be complete without a surprise? Eric has some excitement in store with a special guest you will want to hear.

The show will examine major themes moving through the legislature as well as some under the radar issues that may have escaped listeners’ attention. Some of the topics that will be reviewed include:

• The Ethics Reform package - It’s already generating controversy among law makers.  Will it survive?
• Raising the Minimum Wage - Will New Mexico beat Congress to the punch?
• Water, water and more water - Where will it come from and will it be safe?
• Criminal Justice - There will be more than laws against sex offenders or DWI.  Find out what legislation lawmakers are looking at.
• Improving Education for New Mexicans - Will APS take it in the teeth and who’s been left behind?
• Addressing the Crisis in Health Care - Are health care & health insurance out of the reach of too many New Mexicans? Can lawmakers pass meaningful legislation?

Join Eric and his guests when the show airs on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. For more information you can contact Eric directly at (505) 259-7600. For frequent updates on show developments, go to the show’s blog and website at Insightnm.net. Click for bios (doc) of the show's Executive Producer Suzanne Prescott (photo left) and the show's Host Eric Griego.

North Valley Pre-Legislative Forum Set for 1/4/07

North Valley Pre-Legislative Forum
Thursday, January 4, 2007, 7 to 9 PM
North Valley Senior Center - 3825 Fourth NW, ABQ

Invited guests include: Senator Dede Feldman, Senator John Ryan , Representative Ed Sandoval, Representative Rick Miera, Representative Teresa Zanetti, Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino.

The 2007 Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. The session will last 60 days and many, many issues will be considered. The newspapers indicate that New Mexico will be able to address a lot of capital expense issues due to the continued larger than average state revenues.  Will the issues addressed be the important ones? Will the spending be prioritized to address the important issues that really impact citizens of New Mexico or will “feel good or legacy items” take precedent over more important items?

What are the important issues for State Government? What health care changes are in the Governor’s agenda? What changes are in store for our schools? What are your issues?

Attend the Forum! Find out what the Legislators have to say about North Valley issues and let them know what your opinion is!

If you have any questions or concerns for the Legislators send them back by email to Anvanews@aol.com and we will try to have them answered and we will get copies of them to the Legislators. Please share this information with your neighbors. Call 897-3052 for information. Sponsored by the Alameda North Valley Association.

Guest Blog: Support NM Impeachment Effort

Submitted by guest blogger Terry Riley:
I am mad as hell and I am going to do something. I just got an e-mail from a friend of mine in Santa Fe. Leland Lehrman worked with me on the paper ballot / election reform legislation in the 2005 and 2006 legislative sessions. He is proposing that we get out state legislature to bring impeachment proceedings against President Bush. Please read his message. He is right, the states can initiate the action and then the "Democrats" will have to deal with it. Please read, and contact your legislator.

It looks like Bush is going to put another 30,000 soldiers into Iraq after the first of the year and hold the troop strength at 185,000 for two years. Think about our soldiers. In order to maintain this troop level the Pentagon will have to put every soldier and EVERY reservist into a tight rotation, much more than any individual can be expected to survive.

Save our Soldiers! Impeach Bush
Terry Riley
Veterans for Peace
Son of a Veteran
Veteran
Brother of a Veteran
Father of a Veteran
Father or a combat Veteran

Leland Lehrman's Email:

Friends and Legislators,
We're working on a resolution that will impeach President Bush at the NM State Level. According to Jefferson's Rules of the Federal House, if an impeachment resolution passes at the State Level, the Federal Government is required to stop all business and hear impeachment proceedings immediately.

Quoting from ImpeachFor Peace.org:
"In the House of Representatives there are various methods of setting an impeachment in motion: by charges made on the floor on the responsibility of a Member or Delegate (II, 1303; III, 2342, 2400, 2469; VI, 525, 526, 528, 535, 536); by charges preferred by a memorial, which is usually referred to a committee for examination (III, 2364, 2491, 2494, 2496, 2499, 2515; VI, 552); or by a resolution dropped in the hopper by a Member and referred to a committee (April 15, 1970, p. 11941- 2); by a message from the President (III, 2294, 2319; VI, 498); by charges transmitted from the legislature of a State (III, 2469) or Territory (III, 2487) or from a grand jury (III, 2488); or from facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House (III, 2399, 2444)."

According to Section 604 of the Manual, "direct proposition to impeach is a question of high privilege in the House and at once supersedes business otherwise in order under the rules governing the order of business." It does not lose its privilege just because "a similar proposition has been made at a previous time during the same session of Congress." On the other hand, "a resolution simply proposing an investigation, even though impeachment may be a possible consequence, is not privileged." Where, however, "a resolution of investigation positively proposes impeachment or suggests that end, it has been admitted as of privilege."

It is also possible to impeach through the submission of a memorial by any private citizen, given a Congressional Committee picks it up and acts on it. This type of initiative has been organized by Impeach for Peace here.

Furthermore, Impeachment of the President was passed with overwhelming support by the NM Democratic Party when it held its most recent statewide Platform hearings. It is an official policy of the NM Democratic Party to impeach President Bush.

We will have to repeat that over and over because it is not common knowledge.

Also, Georgia Dem. Rep. Cynthia McKinney has written articles of impeachment during the last few weeks of her term and we can use those at the State Level. I need everyone to call Senators John Grubesic and Gerry Ortiz y Pino (Santa Fe and Albuquerque) and ask them to support an impeachment resolution and to help us get it drafted before the January session. Rep. Peter Wirth is my target for the House, although we may have better luck with someone else. Please call your Legislators now, and email, mail or fax this information to them.

Grubesic and Wirth are Santa Fe's own, we can hopefully count on them. Ortiz y Pino is one of  the best legislators in the NM House overall; he is associated with the NM PACE and the Albuquerque Peace and Justice social fabric. A social worker by profession.

Grubesic: 820-1825
Ortiz y Pino: 505.250.1280
Wirth: 988-1668

Also, essential to success with be Speaker of the House Ben Lujan, Majority Leader Ken Martinez, Sen Majority Leader Michael Sanchez and President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano. Get familiar with them at the NM Legislature website. All are Democrats. The Governor will have to be invoved as well. With Democratic control of every governmental body in the State, NM has a good chance to make history here.

Please forward to all interested. I have yet to hear from anyone, but will be in their offices or on the phone again with them this week coming. Once we get the OK to draft, we will proceed to incorporate McKinney's articles of impeachment and those in the book, "The Case for Impeachment." Also, below, I include information compiled by of the Green Party, much of which is at the website ArticlesOfImpeachment.net where you can get completely sorted out about the legal methods and more.

Leland Lehrman (505) 982-3609

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog by Terry Riley. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of our main page.