Democracy for New Mexico

(Updated, We Win Again!) Live Blogging from NM Impeachment Hearing

UPDATE: As reported in the comments section by LInda in the hearing room, the NM Senate Judiciary Committee passed the impeachment resolution this evening! The measure passed by a margin of 5-1 along party lines with one Democrat, Sen. Lidio Rainaldi (D-Gallup), not voting and only one Republican, Sen. Rod Adair (R-Roswell), present and voting no. Voting yes were Senators Cisco McSorley (D-Albuquerque), Richard Martinez (D-Espanola), John Grubesic (D-Santa Fe), Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque), and Michael Sanchez (D-Belen). Big thank you to all who voted for passage! Next the resolution will go to the Senate floor for a vote by all the State Senators. Another victory for truth and justice -- the third Senate Committee to pass the resolution. Thanks to all who are working so hard on this!
**************

Linda is at the Senate Judiciary Hearing of SJR 5, the NM resolution requesting that the U.S. House investigate Bush and Cheney to determine if impeachment is merited, this afternoon in Santa Fe. She's been entering her comments under the previous thread so I thought I'd put them together here under a thread about the hearing. Click on comments and read what Linda has to say and/or type in your own comments. You can read our previous posts on this issue in our impeachment post archive.

By the way, here's a recent article in The Nation by Elizabeth Holtzman, who testifed via video at today's NM Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. She was involved in the Nixon impeachment. She lays out the reasons we need to do this in a clear and convincing way. The momentum builds.

NM Impeachment Hearing Videos

Video of 2.27.07 hearing of SJR 5 at NM Senate Public Affairs Committee at Roundhouse, Santa Fe. Footage provided by  Concentric Media, Arthouse Productions, Vivo Studio, Mother Media.

Notice the diversity of the citizens testifying at the committee hearings. The Bush defenders like to pretend that the only citizens concerned about the administration's actions are from the far left. These videos tell a very different story.

Video of 2.16.07 hearing of SJR 5 at NM Senate Rules Committee at Roundhouse, Santa Fe. Footage provided by  Concentric Media, Arthouse Productions, Vivo Studio, Mother Media.

The impeachment resolution is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 5, 2007. Click to read what you can do to help. All of our posts on the impeachment effort are contained in our impeachment archive.

(Updated) Domestic Partnership Bill Heads to NM Senate Committee

UPDATE 3.6.07: The Domestic Partnership Act was removed from today's agenda for the Senate Public Affairs Committee because Sen. Ortiz y Pino, one of the bill's supporters, will be absent due to a death in the family. Our thoughts go out to the Senator in his time of grief. Hearing of the Act will be rescheduled for sometime in the future.
**********************

From Equality New Mexico:
HB 603, the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, is scheduled for its first hearing in the Senate in the Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 6th, at 2:30 PM. (Given the Senate schedule these days, we anticipate that the committee will not actually begin until at least 4:00 PM.)  We need as many people there as possible to show their support and provide testimony for this important piece of legislation. The bill has already gained passage in the NM House.

The Radical Right is extremely mobilized to kill this Bill.  Senators are already receiving thousands of phone calls and e-mails telling them to vote NO!!!

If we are to have any chance of passing this legislation, we need people to contact their individual Senators and ask them to support HB 603. The Senators need to hear from people in their own Districts.

The campaign below will allow you to send an e-mail or fax to your specific Senator. Please personalize the message. It will make a difference.  Tell you Senator your personal story and how HB603 will help you, your family, your friends, your neighbors, etc. 

CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO YOUR SENATOR.

Below is a list of 12 Senators whose votes will be crucial to passing this legislation. If you live in their Districts, please call their offices, send them e-mails, and if there is any way that you can come to the Roundhouse, pay them a personal visit and ask them to support HB603. If you know anyone who lives in their Districts, please contact them immediately and ask them to contact their Senator to ask them to support HB603. 

• Sen. Ben Altamirano (D- Catron, Grant & Socorro-28), 505.986.4733
• Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R- Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe & Torrance-19), 505.986.4395, sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov
• Sen Pete Campos (D- Guad, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe & Torrance-8), 505.986.4311, petecampos@newmexico.com
• Sen. Carlos Cisneros (D- Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos–6), 505.986.4863, carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov
• Sen. Mary Jane Garcia (D- Dona Ana–36), 505.986.4726, maryjane.garcia@nmlegis.gov
• Sen. Tim Jennings (D- Chavez, Eddy, Lincoln & Otero-32), 505.986.4362
• Sen. Lynda Lovejoy (D- Benalillo, Cibola, McKinley, Rio Arriba & Sandoval-2), 505.986.4859
• Sen. John Ryan (R-Bernalillo & Sandoval-10), 505.986.4373, johnchrisryan@yahoo.com
• Sen. Bernadette Sanchez (D- Bernalilo -26), 505.986.4267
• Sen. John Arthur Smith (D- Hidalgo, Luna & Sierra -35), 505.986.4363, john.smith@nmlegis.gov
• Sen. Diane Snyder (R- Bernalillo-15), 505.986.4374, hdsnyder@spinn.net
• Sen. David Ulibarri (D- Cibola, Socorro & Valencia–30), 505.986.4265

There is not much time left. Take Action Now!

Equality New Mexico is holding its Lobbying Day at the Legislature on Monday, March 6. Click here to learn more. All citizens are encouraged to participate!

NM Rep. Begaye Declares Tax Subsidy for Desert Rock Power Plant Dead

Credit: HK Dixon/Jan.7.2007 (Click image for larger version.)

Dooda! That's what the NM House Energy and Natural Resources Committee said this past Wednesday with its vote to once again table HB 178. The bill would grant Sithe Global Power $85 million in tax breaks for its filthy, coal-fired Desert Rock power plant planned for the Farmington area, on Navajo land. Dooda means 'no' in the Dine language, and as used in the name one of the citizen groups -- Dooda Desert Rock Committee -- that has been working long and hard against both the power plant and this giveaway of our taxpayer dollars to the company aiming to build it.

Here's a detailed report of what happened from Friday's Gallup Independent.

The Senate version of the bill, SB 431, is still alive and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. However, without significant amendment to place more stringent environmental controls on the power plant, it would have little chance of passage in the House if it made it through the Senate. As the Gallup Independent article reports:

"It's not going anywhere," said Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock. "This is dead."

... A similar bill in the Senate might have a better chance there, Begaye said, but wouldn't make it through the House without some amendments the Senate would never accept.

"This has got zero chance of getting through this session," Begaye said.

Still, given that things can change abruptly and unexpectedly in the last two weeks of the legislative session, activists are urging those opposed to the tax giveaway to contact members of the Senate Finance and remain vigliant.

According to a press release from Conservation Voters New Mexico, which has also been fighting the bill, the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee (HENRC) voted 7-6 along party lines with 7 Democrats voting to table the bill. The Legislators serving on the HENRC committee who voted to table include Chairman James Roger Madalena (D-Jemez Pueblo), Rep. Jim Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), Rep. Antonio Lujan (D-Las Cruces), Rep. Joni Gutierrez (D-Mesilla), and Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces).

“I especially wish to commend Chairman Madalena and Rep. Gutierrez for taking a courageous and visionary stand for protecting New Mexico’s air, land, water and public health,” stated Sandy Buffett, Executive Director of Conservation Voters New Mexico. 

The plant, if built, would emit 10 million tons annually of greenhouse gas emissions and would contribute hundreds of pounds of mercury annually to a region already considered a mercury hotspot.

Some basic facts about Desert Rock:

• Total carbon dioxide emissions in the state will increase 16%, with 10 million tons emitted annually from this plant;
• The greenhouse gas emissions from this plant will cancel out the Governor’s numerical targets for curbing global warming;
• On February 5, 2007, hundreds of citizens of New Mexico, including over 50 Navajo activists and elders, gathered at the New Mexico State Legislature to protest the proposed Desert Rock power plant;
• Sithe seeks to build the plant to export electricity to Nevada and Arizona. However, the plant would not meet California’s new clean energy import standard, precluding the plant from being able to sell to the largest power market in the west.

Desert Rock would be 3rd coal-fired plant polluting Four Corners region

Beyond the tax subsidy issue, opposition against allowing the construction of the plant itself continues. As reported in Colorado's The Durango Herald:

Desert Rock faces determined opposition from local Navajo residents living in the plant's prospective shadow. Busloads of Navajos have trekked twice to Santa Fe to express their dismay about the project, despite the project's support by the official government of the Navajo Nation.

Beyond its eternal quest for taxpayer handouts, Desert Rock faces immediate hurdles in securing the necessary permits. The Environmental Protection Agency is still grappling with the critical technical opposition raised to the draft air quality permit last year, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs keeps delaying release of the project's environmental impact statement. Meanwhile, opposition continues to grow both within the Navajo reservation and in communities throughout the Four Corners.

To stay current on the fight against the power plant or learn more about how you can help, visit:

• Desert-Rock-Blog
• NM Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy
• Conservation Voters New Mexico
• Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
• San Juan Citizens Alliance

(Updated) Senate Judiciary Hearing on NM Impeachment Resolution Delayed Until Monday

UPDATE 3/6/07: The impeachment resolution was finally heard by the NM Senate Judiciary on March 5, and passed by a vote of 5-1. The resolution will be heard next by the full Senate.

From Leland Lehrman of Mother Media:
The Senate Judiciary hearing on the NM impeachment resolution SJR 5 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 5th, after the Floor Session, around 2:30 PM. Sex offender bills may precede the resolution so check with Chairman McSorley's office regarding the estimated time the bill will be heard. Capitol Phone: 505-986-4300.

After a long and uncertain day on Saturday, the entire Judiciary Committee hearing was rescheduled. Fatigue was one factor after a long and involved floor session, but votes were another, as two Democratic Senators -- Linda Lopez and Senator Richard Martinez -- were absent for personal reasons. Without those votes, the resolution would not have passed, a reminder of the importance not only of counting your votes in theory, but counting your votes in person and in the building.

At this point the situation is so sensitive that there is push back from the Senators regarding aggressive lobbying so keep the calls and visits going, but be discreet and respectful. We can have it both ways. There are ways to express ourselves honestly without offending. Senator Ortiz y Pino also requests that we focus on the need for an investigation of alleged impeachable offenses, rather than requiring Senators to assert the President is already guilty if they vote for the Resolution. For this reason, the language of the resolution is going to be minimally amended with more "may haves" and "allegedlys."

To read the rest of Leland's latest advice on lobbying and more, visit his website, Mother Media.

To review all our posts on the NM impeachment resolution initiative, visit our impeachment post archive.

(Updated) Saturday Morning Bulletin on Today's NM Impeachment Action

UPDATE 3/6/07: The impeachment resolution was finally heard by the NM Senate Judiciary on March 5, and passed by a vote of 5-1. The resolution will be heard next by the full Senate.

UPDATE: The Senate Judiciary hearing on the impeachment resolution was rescheduled until Monday, March 5. Click for more info.
***********

Please visit the Mother Media website for a last-minute bulletin from Leland Lehrman on what's anticipated at the Santa Fe Roundhouse today, as the NM Senate Judiciary Committee and/or entire Senate deals with SJR 5, New Mexico's impeachment resolution. Bottom line: if you can, be at the State Capitol by 1:30 PM today, ready to stay into the evening if necessary. Leland has much more you need to know about planned strategies and expectations, so be sure to check his website and read all about it. Today's actions may well make or break the impeachment resolution initiative. Time for the big push.

Tune in Today to 1350 AM Radio's Insight New Mexico

Albuquerque's weekly progressive talk radio show, Insight New Mexico, airs every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on 1350 AM. The shows are rebroadcast on Sunday mornings from 7-8:00 PM. Host Eric Griego and sidekick Suzanne Prescott will bring you another serving of interviews, listener call-ins and political news. Today's show will feature NM House Majority Leader Kenny Martinez reporting in from the Legislature in Santa Fe where the action is nonstop this weekend, talented Live From Silver City blogger Avelino Maestas, who is also a staff writer for the Silver City Daily Press, and the in-the-know Heather Brewer, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico.

Eric is expecting a direct report from the NM Senate on today's impeachment resolution action. AND, he's getting ready to make a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT, which he MAY or MAY NOT be making on the air today. Don't miss it.

Visit the Insight New Mexico website for more info on the show its guests, helpful links, blogging and podcasts (mp3s) from previous shows. You can call in live during the show with your questions and comments at 338-4090.

(Updated) 10:30 PM Friday Update on Impeachment Hearing(s) Saturday

UPDATE 3/6/07: The impeachment resolution was finally heard by the NM Senate Judiciary on March 5, and passed by a vote of 5-1. The resolution will be heard next by the full Senate.

UPDATE, SATURDAY MORNING: A last-minute bulletin about Saturday's actions was issued by Leland Lehrman of Mother Media. Visit his website to read it.
******************

From Desi Brown, Aide to Sen. Ortiz y Pino: Please forward to all interested

Here is the latest: The Resolution will be heard for sure tomorrow (Saturday)! As of now (10:30 PM), it is still being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee at some point in the afternoon (any time after 2:30 PM – could be as late as 9 PM). There is a slight possibility that the resolution will be pulled from Judiciary and put on the floor calendar for the day as well.  If this occurs, then the bill would most likely be the last bill heard during the floor schedule – which could be anywhere from 1:30 PM or later.

Unfortunately, we will not know which will happen until mid-morning at the earliest. If you are planning to come to the hearing, I would suggest calling Senator Ortiz y Pino’s office directly at about 11 AM to see if we have any new news: 505-986-4380.

We hope to have available a 22 minute recording of the live video testimony we conducted today with former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman who was on the Judiciary Committee that Impeached Nixon.  It is quite good.  We plan to have a viewing place set up somewhere in the Roundhouse by about 1 PM.  Info will be available in Room 414 (Senator Ortiz y Pino’s Office).

There will be a sign up sheet for speakers available in Room 414 (and outside of the committee room).  Initial indications are that there will be a limited time for citizen input again.

That’s all for now – 6 more bills to go tonight!!!!

Desi Brown, (505)256-0668, desibrown@comcast.net

Editor's Note: For previous posts on this, visit DFNM's impeachment post archive.

(Updated) URGENT: NM Impeachment Resolution May Go Straight to Senate Floor

UPDATE 2: Latest news from Desi Brown of Sen. Ortiz y Pino's office as of 10:30 PM Friday, 3.2.07 here.

UPDATE 1: I just found this hopeful tidbit quoting Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez over at Steve Terrell's Legislature Blog:

He believes Senate Joint Resolution 5, which calls for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, will pass the Senate by a party-line vote. Although earlier in the session he said he didn’t back the resolution, he said tonight that he’d probably vote for it. His earlier opposition wasn’t over the merits of the resolution, but because of his questions whether the state Legislature was the proper place for it.

Sanchez said he hopes the Senate Judiciary Committee would pass the resolution out without recommendation to the full Senate, which he said could hear it as early as Saturday. [The resolution would still have to gain passage in the House to be successful.]

Based on reports from Leland Lehrman of Mother Media:
The NM impeachment resolution, SJR 5, may bypass the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday, March 2nd, and go straight to the Senate Floor. Attorney Randall Cherry -- Senator McSorley's staff analyst -- is the source of this information as directly relayed by citizen Terrence McCarthy of Vivo Studios and corroborated by Jim Williams of KUNM and Dorothy Fadiman of Concentric Media.

Since both the bill sponsor and the Committee Chairman are already in favor, they can make a motion on the floor in open session that the resolution bypass Judiciary. However, this motion must receive unanimous consent -- not likely -- or then win either a voice or roll-call vote. According to Charlotte Roybal, longtime Democratic Party delegate, if the Senate votes to take the resolution out of Judiciary, floor debate on the resolution will still have to wait until Saturday, perhaps around 10AM. Stay tuned via either the sponsors Ortiz y Pino and Grubesic's office, Judiciary Chairman McSorley's office or the Majority Leader Sanchez' office. Again, all can be contacted at 505-986-4300.

Support in the Senate
It's now time to count our votes on the Senate floor. If all the Republicans vote together and are present (likely), we can afford to lose only three Democratic votes against or five abstentions.

Possible negatives: We know that Sen. John Arthur Smith (D-Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra) was solidly against. Tim Jennings (D-Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, Otero) may take his cue from Smith, but is on the fence, having told me personally: "You can't impeach someone for stupidity." Sen. Lidio Rainaldi (D-Espanola) is known for conservatism, and declined an information packet recently offerred saying that he already knew how he was voting, but not saying how that was. Senator Phil Griego (D-Los Alamos, Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos) is also well-known for skepticism.

Unknown: The views of the following Senators are not known and could be swing votes: John Pinto (D-Tohatchi), Lynda Lovejoy (D-Crownpoint), Nancy Rodriguez (D-Santa Fe), Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas), James Taylor (D-Albuquerque), Shannon Robinson (D-Albuquerque).

Who to Call: Given that that the timetable for the floor vote has been accelerated, it is now time for the full-court press. Please contact every Democratic undecided Senator, all the time, especially the swing votes: Sen. Michael Sanchez above all, the rest of the above undecideds and some say Altamirano. Although he voted for the resolution in Rules Committee, Senators do not always vote for a bill on the floor the way they did in Committee, for various reasons. The Capitol Switchboard can connect you with anyone in the Roundhouse: 505-986-4300.

On the Senate Floor: If you're attending the session, please also note decorum without feeling overly restricted. No clapping after speeches or votes in committee or from the gallery, in particular. We won't get a second chance.

The number and type of speakers are being left to the sponsor and Chair this time. The sponsors are now suggesting that we focus on the "asking for an investigation" part and avoid rendering verdicts in our testimony. I agree there may be some merit to the cautious approach at this time. Apparently it may help us with swing voters. Take this under advisement, but it is not meant to stifle your initiative, which is the most precious of all the human qualities found on this team.

Contacts in Santa Fe: Citizens will be onsite at the Roundhouse on Friday and Saturday to assist if you would like to hit any of the key offices in person. Please look for us either on the floor, outside the Majority Leader's office, or in the Media Gallery overlooking the House floor on the East Side of the Capitol Building. I can be paged at the Information Desk on the East Side. I will be also be leaving updates with Arwen Gwyneth Hubbard at (505) 603-6084 and may be reachable at that number. I can be reached at home at 505-982-3609 or office 505-473-4458, and emailed at leland.lehrman@gmail.com.

Editor's Note: To learn more about this effort check out DFNM's impeachment post archive. Click to see a video of the impeachment resolution hearing in the February 16, 2007 NM Senate Rules Committee. Video of last Saturday's hearing before the Senate Public Affairs Committee should be available soon and posted on Google Video.

NM House Passes Minimum Wage Bill

From ACORN NM:
Today the New Mexico House of Representatives approved SB 324, sending the legislation--which the House amended to reach $7.50 by January 1, increase annually with the cost of living, and preserve the right of cities to pass their own increases--back to the Senate where it originated.

This is a tremendous victory for working New Mexicans. Please call Speaker Ben Lujan and your local legislator to thank them for ushering through one of the strongest minimum wage bills in the country. (Click for contact information.)

Our work is not done. We expect the Senate to reject the House's changes, sending the bill into conference committee. Stay tuned for more information on how to insure that New Mexico gets a minimum wage law significantly better than what Congress is debating. For more information, contact Matthew Henderson at nmacorn@acorn.org.