Poll: Denish leads GOP field in 2010 election

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish leads all five Republican gubernatorial candidates in a new poll released by Public Policy Polling -- although it appears Pete Domenici Jr is within striking distance.

Denish leads Domenici by five percentage points, 45-40, but holds much wider margins against the rest of the Republican field.

“Even in this hostile political climate, Diane Denish holds a lead against all of her potential opponents," Denish campaign Communications Director Chris Cervini said in a news release. "That’s because New Mexicans view her as an independent voice and a champion for middle-class families and their jobs."

But, considering the poll's 3.1 percent margin of error a possible Denish-Domenici race is essentially a dead heat. Of course that race isn't even finalized. While Denish is running unchallenged, Domenici still needs to collect a minimum of 20 percent of his party's pre-primary delegates and win the June 1st primary.

Denish polls 18 percentage points higher than Allen Weh, 48-30 percent, and by 14 percentage points over state Rep. Janice Arnold Jones, 47-33. She also holds a 14 percentage point lead over Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, 46-32 percent, and the a similar 14 percentage point leader over Albuquerque Public Relations agency owner Doug Turner, 46-32 percent.

“Diane has developed a unique relationship with the people of New Mexico, and as Governor she’ll bring about a new way of doing business to Santa Fe. New Mexicans are looking forward – not backward – and Diane has the new ideas that will get our economy moving and help families make ends meet,” Cervini said.

Denish’s advantage comes in spite of significantly reduced popularity for Governor Bill Richardson. Only 28 percent of voters in the state approve of the job he’s doing with 63 percent disapproving. His 22 percent approval with independents and 7 percent with Republicans is not unusual for a Democratic official these days, but he’s even in negative territory within hisown party at a 42/47 spread.

"Given Obama and Richardson’s low levels of popularity Diane Denish is doing pretty well,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But a contest with Domenici certainly looks like it could be competitive.”

Denish is easily the best known of the Gubernatorial candidates with 75 percent of voters holding an opinion about her. They break down positively by a 41/34 margin. A plurality of voters has no opinion about each of the Republicans. Domenici is viewed favorably by 27 percent, followed by 17 percent for Martinez, 12 percent for Weh and Turner, and 8 percent for Arnold-Jones.Although Barack Obama’s approval has slipped into negative territory at 45/48, both of the state’s Democratic Senators have solid 48/36 approval spreads.

PPP, a Democratic polling firm, surveyed 990 New Mexico voters from February 18th to 20th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.1 percent. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Unemployment at record high despite Federal stimulus

Friday, on the same day the NM Workforce Solutions Department issued a report showing unemployment in the state has hit a 8.3 percent, a record 22-year high, Gov. Bill Richardson issued a statement claiming the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is responsible for creating or saving 10,000 jobs full and part-time jobs.

In fact, on Friday, Richardson said 10,221 New Mexicans received full- or part-time work as a result of state spending of federal stimulus funds.

The state, in its second quarterly report filed with the federal Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, said that 2,959 full-time equivalent jobs have been funded from Oct. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2009.

The jobs, located all over the state, are in public schools, on transportation projects, in law enforcement, health care, social services and other areas, according to a news release.

New Mexico is expected to receive more than $3.4 million in stimulus awards over the life of the Recovery Act.

Video: Gardner responds to Richardson's speech

Audio: Governor pushing for consensus legislation

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson works the phones ahead of the the 2010 Legislature. (Photo: Peter St. Cyr)

Earlier this week we were invited to visit with Gov. Bill Richardson, in his fourth floor office at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, for an exclusive radio interview.

We found him relaxed, but confident. In fact, the governor, who is in the last year of his eight year administration, insists he still has the political capital he needs to push his legislative agenda during upcoming 30-day legislative session.

He refuses to be considered a lame duck and reminded lawmakers he still has "a veto pen," and the support of his constituents.

We've been broadcasting portions of the interview on 770KKOB since Tuesday and have included segments which feature our conversation about his budget proposal, temporary taxes, spending cuts, education budgets, double dipping, a plan to replenish the state's cash reserves and capitol budget cuts.

Richardson told us his budget-balancing proposal has sensible cuts and won't stop the progress his administration has made over the last seven years. He doesn't want any tax increases to come on the backs of hard working New Mexicans or impact public school classrooms.


At the end of our visit, Richardson even made a voluntary confession. You might guess what it is about...but to hear his admission, you'll have to listen to the complete interview here, or touch the play button on the bar below.



Plan to listen to the final segment scheduled for Monday on 770KKOB at 8:40 am.

Report: Efficiency can save state $129 million annually

Facing a nearly $500 million deficit, Gov. Bill Richardson will consider recommendations, by a committee he appointed last month, to make sweeping changes in state goverment, which are all aimed at saving taxpayer money and making New Mexico's government more efficient.

The report, from the Committee for Government Efficiency, which was was submitted to the governor yesterday, identified a total of $129 million in annual budget savings, and calls for merging some state departments, doing away with more than a dozen boards and commissions and changing the public school funding formula.

"These are solid recommendation that make a lot of sense as we look for new ways to reduce spending and cut bureaucracy," Richardson said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon. "I'm ready to pursue many of these ideas immediately during the upcoming legilsative session and by executive order."

In addition to its immediate recommendations to downsize the government, the committee also made long-term recommendations to reduce both the state payroll and the number of the state's colleges, universities, and school districts.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, told the Associated Press some of the committee's recommendations are "heavy-hitters" and would require further study after the legislative session.

"It seems to me that given this legislative session we're going into, people just want to raise money so we can go back to business as usual and pass up this opportunity," Smith said. "We look at the down side because there's no money, but this is a tremendous opportunity for government to redefine itself."

Workforce reductions possible

Smith wants the legislature to look for places to pare back costs and that could lead to a reduction in workforce.

Currently, the state employees the highest number of government workers per capita in the country. In fact, there are 24.5 employees per 1,000 residents, which is 72 percent higher than the national average of 14.3.

But many of those workers are employed by corrections and higher education institutes.

Compared to Arizona, which has about triple the population and only three public universities, New Mexico, the has six four-year universities and at least 18 two-year colleges.

Carter Bundy, who is the political and legislative director for AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, said he believes that state's rural status is the primary reason for the high ratio of government employees.

"If you look at the list of state that have a (high) number of employees per capita, they're virtually all rural states," Bundy told the Albuquerque Journal. It reflects the reality that we have a lot of people in a lot of different places to serve, and we don't the get benefits of economies of scale."

Bundy also reminded the Journal that New Mexico has "fewer classified state employees per capita than it did in 2002.

The committee's recommendations also include merging the Public Education Department with the Higher Education Department and joining the Homeland Security Department with the Department of Public Safety.

The committee suggested a state Commerce Department could be created by joining existing departments of economic development, labor, tourism, regulation and licensing, workers compensation, border authority and the spaceport authority. Additionally, the Environment Department and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department could also be combined.

The recommendations also call for changes to Medicaid benefits and public school funding that could save New Mexico an estimated $110 million.

Considered for elimination would be 18 boards and commissions, including the Governor's Finance Council, the Green Jobs Council, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Water Task Force and some more obscure entities, such as the Interior Design Board and the Storage Tank Committee.

Many boards and commissions have outlived their original purpose or are no longer effective, the committee report suggested.

The committee's members, mostly veterans of state government finance and budgeting, were praised for their by the group's chairman former Gov. Garrey Carruthers.

"This is a very knowledgeable group of people who know state government and know where to look to find significant savings," Carruthers said in a news release. "We look forward to continue to work with Governor Richardson and the Legislature to streamline government and make it more responsive to New Mexicans, particularly during these tough economic times."

The group included New Mexico Tech President Daniel Lopez, former Finance and Administration secretary Willard Lewis, UNM Executive Vice President for Administration David Harris, Chris Krahling, a former architect of the government reorganization in the Jerry Apodoca administration, former DFA budget director John Gasparich, and current DFA Secretary Katherine Miller.

Richardson wants state to be leading renewable energy exporter

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, Schott Solar North America CEO Gerald Fine, and NM Tech President Dan Lopez, watch as Gov. Bill Richardson signs an executive order to create a green economy in New Mexico. (Photo: Lea Harrison)

Governor Bill Richardson, acting on recommendations from his Green Jobs Cabinet, signed an executive order that could help the state become that leader in renewable energy exports.

“A comprehensive green economy is critical to the future of New Mexico and will lead our state into a new era of economic vitality and stability,” Richardson said. “Today I am outlining a clear path to ensure our state capitalizes economically and environmentally on our abundant renewable resources and assets.”

The governor's Green Jobs Cabinet recommended five goals for the state, which include:

1. To become a leader in renewable energy export.


2. To become the center of the North American solar industry. This includes everything from research and development to manufacturing to the installation of solar elements in our buildings.


3. To lead the nation in Green Grid innovation.


4. To continue being a leader in green building and energy efficiency.


5. To have an educational system that prepares New Mexico students for jobs in green technologies.

A wide scope of directives

Richardson’s executive order, signed at SCHOTT Solar's manufacturing plant in Albuquerque on Tuesday, lays out a wide scope of directives to reach these goals, and involves several state agencies, including the Economic Development Department, the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, the New Mexico Environmental Department, the Indian Affairs Department, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Department of Workforce Solutions, Public Education Department and Higher Education Department.

After signing the order the Richardson announced the release of the New Mexico Green Jobs Guidebook. The Guidebook provides an overview of green occupations, their education requirements, and resources available at New Mexico colleges and universities.

Expanded Tax Credits

Richardson announced he will seek legislation to expand the state’s Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit during the upcoming legislative session. The expansion will double the available credit for solar generators to one million megawatt hours. The Production Tax Credit expansion is critical for ensuring that there is an in-state market for the products from our growing cluster of solar manufacturers like SCHOTT, Emcore, and Signet Solar.

The Green Jobs Cabinet report is available one line here.

Richardson opposes new charter school moratorium

Gov. Bill Richardson accepts the NEA's
Education Governor of the Year award in July, 2009

Governor Bill Richardson announced -- on Saturday --that he will oppose any efforts to slow down the growth of charter schools in New Mexico.

Additionally the governor is preparing a legislative proposal, for the 2010 Session, which convenes in January, aimed at strengthening the state’s charter schools.

“Improving education is the number one priority of my administration and that includes a strong commitment to allow parents choices about where they send their children to school,” Richardson said. “Charter schools are filling the needs of New Mexican families and are a great source of competition and innovation. I will not stand for any moratorium or other efforts to thwart this progress.”

In fact, Governor Richardson announced he will seek legislation to remove caps on the number of charter schools in New Mexico.

In a news release the Governor indicated he'll be proposing legislation that clarifies the process for both state and local charter schools to access both state and local capital outlay dollars to ensure equitable funding for charter school facilities. He announced he will not support any legislation that seeks to prohibit charter school employees from serving on elected school boards.

New Mexico is currently in the final stages of a preparing a grant for the federal Race to the Top grant. The strength of a state’s charter school program is an important component in the awarding of the grants. Any backtracking in the state’s commitment to charter schools, such as a moratorium, could hurt New Mexico’s chances for Race to the Top and the $75 million dollars of funding that would come with it.

New Mexico has a strong authorizing process for charter schools. Last year half of the charters that applied were approved. Currently, 73 charter schools are in operation or are in the planning phase around the state and the number is like to rise to 81 charter schools for the 2010-2011 school year. Forty-eight will be authorized by local school districts and 33 will be PEC/state authorized.

Arnold-Jones criticizes governor's timing

Photo: MG Bralley
Republican candidate for Governor, State Representative Janice Arnold-Jones said today that Governor Bill Richardson’s calls for ethics reform are too little too late.

“I find it interesting that Governor Richardson has chosen this legislative session to finally make the claim that he wants ethics reform within our government,” Arnold-Jones said. “Given the fact that in this legislative session we, as legislators, are tasked with plugging the budget holes that were created in large part because of what appears to be an ethically challenged administration, this announcement appears to be designed to deflect attention from an estimated budget shortfall of $650 million.”

“I’ve served in the legislature every day of Richardson’s tenure. Ethics reform was far from the top of his administration’s list,” Arnold-Jones added.

'Ethical behavior is a mindset '

"Principled leadership is imperative and trumps any commission” Arnold-Jones stated. “ Crime, corruption and ethical lapses can only be overcome by learning the proper values, morals and ethical behaviors. As Governor, I will bring a model for governance with clear expectations that will transform government into a public trust from the top down. I will begin that process the day after my election!”

Richardson helps protect wildlife migration corridors

Great news for hunters and wildlife lovers. On Friday, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter joined New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in announcing a new initiative to identify and protect key wildlife travel and migration corridors between the two states.

The two governors have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding pledging to work collaboratively to protect key habitat connectivity, travel and migration corridors used by elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and other key species of wildlife that migrate across the shared border between the State of Colorado and the State of New Mexico.

“A rich wildlife heritage is one of the great treasures our states share and it must be protected,” Richardson said. “Roaming bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope are part of what it means to live in the great open space of the West. I am proud to play a part in continuing these great traditions.”

In addition to the role wildlife plays as a cultural touchstone, the economies of both Colorado and New Mexico benefit significantly from the hunting, fishing and tourism that the region’s wildlife supports. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers spent $3 billion inColorado and $823 million in New Mexico that year.

“Wildlife is one of the most important resources in the West,” Ritter said. “It is part of our heritage, and its protection should be part of our legacy. I’m delighted we will be working with Gov. Richardson and New Mexico to make certain that the wildlife we share is able to move freely back and forth across our borders.”

The MOU formalizes cooperation and planning for wildlife corridors. It calls for using the best scientific geospatial mapping systems available to inform land use planning and development in key habitats and migration areas.

Tribal consultation will be done with the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Tribe.

The Western Governors’ Association has also identified protection of viable wildlife corridors as an important regional objective. In June, the WGA signed a MOU with the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy, which agreed to help provide states with the best information possible on wildlife populations, wildlife corridors and crucial habitat across various political jurisdictions.

Veterans' outreach impacted by state budget cuts

A delegation of New Mexicans places a memorial wreath to honor NM Soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (below righ) at Arlington National Cemetery (above) last month -Photos by: Peter St. Cyr

New Mexico Secretary of Veterans' Services John Garcia, an Army veteran who served in Viet Nam himself, says he doesn't want across the board budget cuts to state agencies "laid on the back of my veterans."

We filmed this video with the Secretary on a recent "Boss Lift" trip to the nation's capitol, which was sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.



Veterans "have served the country to defend the free-enterprise system," Garcia said.

He believes cutting back on outreach to homeless vets and reducing veteran business development is a disservice to the more than 200,000 veterans who live in the state.

Garcia told us that when he took over the department, which was elevated to a cabinet level post in February, 2004, and has 17 field offices, its budget was less than $2 million dollars. After administrative expenses, including salaries for 20 accredited and certified veteran service officer, there was only $200,000 left for veterans, or $1 per vet. That budget as quadrupled, but still only provides $4 per veteran.

"With the recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan I've got an influx of new veterans - a new generation of veterans - and it's tough to find them," Garcia said. "Veterans just don't walk into our office and say 'I want my benefits.' We've got to find them. I don't want them to wait thirty years, like I did and many Viet Nam Vets did. We have to be very proactive and do our outreach of services."

Garcia says after meeting with Governor Bill Richardson, shortly after the special session, that both men are disappointed that the agency was marked for cuts similar to other agencies.

"It' difficult when you're talking about a budget cut and my veterans are on the firing line between the legislative body and the executive," Garcia said.

Garcia says after all veterans "give us the freedoms we enjoy!

Statewide Veterans Day celebrations planned

A host of ceremonies are planned across New Mexico today.

A parade at Bullhead Memorial Park gets underway at 9:30 in Albuquerque. It will travel down San Pedro, up Gibson and end at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial. Ceremonies there begin at 11.

Another event is planned at the Veterans Memorial Park in Santa Fe on Pinetree Road. A parade in the capital city gets underway, at Bishops Lodge at 10am.

Keep in mind, City, County, State and Federal offices are closed for the holiday. So are most courts, banks and the post office.

Editor's note:

On Veterans Day 2009 we've decided to add the New Mexico Veterans websiteto our blog roll. Please check out Floyd Vasquez' posts regularly to see what's happening, for veterans across the state, and to see how you can volunteer to help or participate in important events benefiting our state's honored veterans.

UPDATE: 9:26

The chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico Javier Gonzales has issued a written statement honoring veterans.

New Mexicans have a proud history of serving their country as members of the United States’ Armed Forces. The Democratic Party of New Mexico remembers and honors all New Mexicans who have served, are serving or have paid the ultimate price to our great Nation.

To read the rest of Gonzales' comments read his blog post at the state party's blog here.

Brooks says state budget can't be balanced on cuts alone

Reacting to Governor Bill Richardson's proposal to cut state education funding by 1.5 percent, Albuquerque Public Schools' Superintendent Winston Brooks said the state's largest school district might be able to handle those level of cuts and keep the spending reduction from impacting classrooms directly.

But Brooks warns 'the state's budget can’t be balanced by cutting waste alone.'

“I’ve worked in APS now for almost two years and I just don't find the waste that most people think exists there. In fact, our general administration budget is less than 1%. You can't cut that and balance any budget,” Brooks said.

The superintendent said lawmakers will ‘definitely’ have to look at revenue enhancements, but said APS might be able to handle cuts up to 3 percent.

“We have a plan to try to keep our cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. If it's any more than 3% we're in a heap of trouble,” Brooks said. If it’s more, Brooks said, “The legislature is going to have to change some legislation to allow us to use some of our SB-9 and HB-33 for operational expenses. That's a lion's share of it. The rest of it is taking stimulus money that we had planned to use for our special education and Title 1 kids and use it for our operational budget.”

Brooks said lawmakers who claim raising taxes will hurt the re-election should take a close look at the new poll by Research and Polling, Inc. for for New Mexico Education Partners which shows 81 percent of New Mexico voters don't support education cuts.

“They all say they can't raise taxes because it will hurt their election, if that be the case then I would think they would pay some attention to this poll that says if they do cut education their election is in jeopardy,” said Brooks.

Meanwhile, in a prepared statement proposing his 1.5 percent education cuts, Richardson said he made it "very clear to legislators that any cuts to education must be minimal and not affect our classrooms, kids and teachers.”

The governor credited the minimal cuts to his administration's efforts over the last seven years to keep cash reserves at 10 percent or higher.

Putting more money in the classroom

On Saturday, Rio Grande Foundation's Paul Gessing said he'd like to see more money in the classroom and less money on bureaucrats.

“New Mexico, contrary to popular belief, spends a lot of money on education. We have the eighth highest per capita spending on education in the country. There’s plenty of administrators and other highly paid folks we can look at getting rid of,” Gessing said. “We have proven that bureaucracies actually harm education results. The top five states in the country as far as results spend about 65% of their money in the classroom on education, whereas the bottom five of which surprise, surprise New Mexico is a part, along with those perennial all-stars like Louisiana and Mississippi, that we also find ourselves in the midst of, we spend 59.5% in the classroom.

Obama selects another New Mexican to serve in D.C.

New Mexico Human Services Department Secretary Pamela Hyde is moving on, and moving up.

On Friday, President Barack Obama announced her appointment to become Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

Governor Bill Richardson, who withdrew his own nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration, is congratulating Hyde.

“Hyde has been with my administration since day one and has been a tremendous asset for the people of New Mexico, providing greater access to quality resources they need to be successful in life,” Governor Richardson said. “She not only improved the services available through the Human Services Department but took on the task of improving and streamlining the way behavioral health services are administered in our state, something no other state has tried, much less accomplished.”

Hyde will continue serving as Secretary of the Human Services Department until she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Hyde has 30 years experience in management and consulting for public sector systems of health care and human services and has held several key public sector management positions, including those of a state mental health director, state human services director, and city housing and human services director.

Earlier this year, Hyde was honored with the American Medical Association’s top government service award for a career in public service, the Dr. Nathan Davis award, which she was nominated for by Governor Richardson.

Meanwhile, Governor Richardson has named Katie Falls to serve as Secretary-designate through the transition.

A release from the governor's office stated that Falls was named Deputy Secretary of the Human Services Department in January, 2006.

She has been with the department since 2003 where she served as director of the Income Support Division before being named Deputy Secretary. Ms. Falls also worked for the Department of Health from 1995 to 2001 where she served as the Deputy Director of the Division of Health Improvement. She also worked for Navajo Indian Health Services and Albuquerque Indian Health Services from 1990 to 1995.

"It's Over. There's Nothing." Governor Richardson Said to be Cleared by Top DOJ Officials

A Federal probe into pay-to-play allegations in New Mexico is reportedly over. Governor Bill Richardson and key members of his staff appear to have been cleared by officials at the U.S. Justice Department.

A year long grand jury panel had been reviewing lucrative bond deals awarded to CDR Executive David Rubin, a Richardson presidential campaign donor. Those bonds funded New Mexico Transportation projects.

A Spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Albuquerque did not return our calls immediately, and Governor Richardson's spokesman Gilbert Gallegos was also unavailable for comment, but a source of the Associated Press said, "It's over. There's nothing. It was killed in Washington."

The investigation derailed Richardson's appointment by President Barack Obama to become U.S. Commerce Secretary.

For Pete's Sake:

Speculation about the clearance began two weeks ago when Richardson hosted two North Korean diplomats from the United Nations in New York, and again this week when Richardson made a trade mission to Cuba.

Richardson has always had the right to be presumed innocent and this formal clearance is expected to re-energize the Richardson administration.

The Governor has told us that he wants to make education the focus of his last year and a half in office. Of course, he may need to use some of that energy in balancing the state's budget, which is facing a $433 million dollar deficit.

We expect to see even more photos, like the big one at the top of this report, showing Governor Richardson with his "chin up."

Top Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Kennedy Remembered in New Mexico for Supporting Mental Health Care

Updated 10:19a

Tributes are pouring in on both sides of the aisle as American's wake up to the news that Senator Edward Kennedy died late last night after a year long battle with brain cancer. The Massachusetts senator fought right up until the end for health care reform, and now that battle will continue on capitol hill without him.

Kennedy, an early supporter of President Barack Obama's candidacy, campaigned in New Mexico for the then Illinois Senator in January 2008.

Photographer and blog commentator Mark Bralley captured this image of Kennedy who worked closely with New Mexico's Pete Domenici in the Senate. Their 10-year joint effort led to passage of the 2008 Mental Health Parity Act, which for the first time required insurance companies to cover mental illness on a par with physical illness.

This morning Domenici said Kennedy's death is especially sad to him:

The nation has lost a good and great man, and I have lost a close and valued friend. He was my friend, my colleague, and my ally in many legislative battles during our 36 years together in the Senate. His commitment to Mental Health Parity legislation, in my judgment was the key factor in that concept becoming law in the 110th Congress. Even battling his cancer, he would travel to the Capitol to move that legislation forward when I asked him to.

From civil rights and immigration, his earliest concerns, to education and workers rights, there were few major pieces of social legislation that did not bear his mark over his 47 years in the Senate.

Governor Bill Richardson, who studied in Boston, learned about Kennedy's death in Cuba, where he is on a trade mission. Richardson said Kennedy was a gladiator for protecting people who need help.

He was probably responsible for my first victory in Congress, and became a political mentor of mine. His legacy is one of legislative excellence, compassion and as a protector for those who have been left behind.

Senator Jeff Bingaman said Kennedy's extraordinary list of accomplishments were not just a function of his passion and ideals, but also his pragmatism and ability to reach across party lines to get done what was needed for the good of the country.

His leadership will be particularly missed in the Senate at this critical time for health care reform. The American people have lost a great champion, but his legacy will endure.

Domenici said he respected Kennedy's willingness to work for compromise:

I always knew from our earliest interaction that I could trust his word, that he would dedicate himself with all of his energy to any cause that he championed, and that he was willing to work for compromise to get the legislative work done, but would never compromise his fundamental beliefs. His help behind the scenes on many issues from fiscal policy to national health care policy - often made the difference between legislative success and failure.

The issue the lifelong Democrat called the cause of his life was healthcare. It was what kept him on the line to the Capitol through months of medical treatment during the past 15 months. Of course he did not live to see his latest bid for comprehensive healthcare insurance enacted into law.

Freshman U.S. Senator Tom Udall said Kennedy committed his life to fighting for Americans who could not fight for themselves:

His tireless drive to provide access to health care, civil rights, and improve education for all will forever serve as a model for true public service.

Even New Mexico's Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish offered her toughts on the Massachuetts Senator's passing.

Ted Kennedy was sent to the Senate by the people of Massachusetts, but he was a public servant for the entire nation. The Senator was a true statesman in every sense of the word. His legislative accomplishments have bettered the lives of countless American workers, children and families. He championed the cause of female athletes through Title 9. And he fought for health care for American families every day, even in his closing days. Senator Kennedy was a man who gave his last full measure of devotion to the American people.

For Pete's Sake

After all the memorials and tributes, perhaps the Democrats will decide to truly honor Kennedy, by knuckling down and passing a comprehensive health care plan this fall.

His spirit, patriotism and dedication to realizing a greater vision for America will be missed.

Despite Serious Allegations Vigil-Giron Keeps State Job

After spending most of Thursday chasing down whether of not Rebecca Vigil-Giron would keep her job, despite being indicted on 50 felony counts, we finally heard from the New Mexcio Workforce Solutions agency. We've learned that she will remain employed, and be paid her annual salary of $61,500.

While Governor Bill Richardson says he’s trouble by allegations being made against Vigil-Giron, and believes she deserves her day in court, Vigil-Giron will be report to work daily. She's employed as a constituent liaison for the Labor and Industrial Division at the Workforce Solutions.

Cabinet secretary Ken Ortiz, who was promoted to the position today (replacing Betty Sparrow Doris), says while the allegations are serious they are “unrelated to her work for the agency” that issues unemployment checks.”

Ortiz says Ms. Vigil-Giron is expected to continue to fulfill her work duties and urged reporters not to call her at her workplace.

Richardson Has Productive Talks With North Koreans

From governor's office:

Governor Bill Richardson met today with a delegation of North Korean diplomats at the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe.

The delegation, representing North Korea's Mission to the United Nations in New York, requested the meeting with Governor Richardson. Led by Minister Myong Gil Kim and Counselor Jong Ho Paek, the delegation met with Governor Richardson for three hours this morning. They will resume talks later today. The delegation will meet on Thursday with community and business leaders to discuss New Mexico renewable energy initiatives.

The governor says the talks have been productive.

I got a sense that temperatures have really cooled down since President Clinton's visit. The delegation indicated that North Korea is ready for a new dialogue with the United States regarding the nuclear issue. The question is whether to proceed with face-to-face bilateral talks, as the North Korea prefer, or to utilize the six-party framework that the United States has advocated. The North Koreans clearly want bilateral talks and not the six-party framework.

On Wednesday, the Governor also met with Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy of the Dalai Lama at their request. The two men had a private meeting and then Governor Richardson hosted a small luncheon in honor of the Special Envoy at the mansion, including Greg Kruglak, President of the Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture, Stuart Ashman, Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and Paljor Thondup, President of Project Tibet. Lodi Gyari is the special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Washington, DC and currently serves as the Tibetan's lead negotiator with the Chinese Government. Mr. Gyari formerly served as Senior Cabinet Minister for the Department of Information and International Relations.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Richardson Will Greet North Korean Diplomats In New Mexico

Senior diplomats with the North Korean mission to the United Nations are scheduled for a two-day meeting with Gov. Bill Richardson in New Mexico starting Wednesday.

Governor Bill Richardson, who has traveled to North Korea several times in the past, most recently in April 2007 to secure the return of remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War, is expected to greet them at the governor's mansion on Wednesday.

We've learned it was the North Koreans who asked Richardson for the meeting after relationship talks stalled in other diplomatic channels.

Tomorrow's meeting with the North Koreans won't be the first meeting in the state. In January 2003 Richardson met with the North Koreans for extended talks on a nuclear showdown with Kim Il Jong's government, that lasted three days. Richardson called those discussions "positive, frank and candid." That meeting was coordinated with then Secretary of State Colin Powell.

A source said during this visit Richardson will be in a listening mode. He wants to find out what the North Koreans have to say. He is not doing any kind of negotiating.

CNN reports a discussion of renewable energy will be on the agenda because the state is recognized as a leader in the U.S. in exploring renewable energy technologies.

The visit comes on the heels of a trip to North Korea by former President Bill Clinton to gain the release of two American journalists held in Pyongyang.

Chevron Donates Land for Code Talker's Museum

Chevron Corporation will honor the Navajo Code Talkers Association (NCTA) with a gift of more than 200 acres of land. It will be used for a code talker's museum and veteran’s center and for other economic development goals.

The Navajo Code Talkers, who served in all six Marine divisions from 1942 to 1945 during WWII, constructed a code from their native language and have been credited with saving countless lives and hastening the end of the war. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.

The official ceremony is Friday, just outside of the Navajo Nation Capital of Window Rock, AZ.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will speak, along with members of the NCTA including President Keith Little and Vice President Samuel Tso, as well as Chevron Mining president, Fred Nelson. New Mexico Veterans' Services Secretary John Garcia, dignitaries, veterans and other community members are also attending the July 31st ceremony.

Where's Governor Richardson? Not Hiking Naked...

This is an official state vehicle with a sworn New Mexico Police officer standing next to it in a nice northeast heights neighborhood in Albuquerque. It's parked in front of Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish's home. On Saturday, she was entitled to the extra protection because, as it turns out, she was acting-Governor of New Mexico.

Like the Associated Press, who spot checked the whereabouts of a few state's governors, we decided to check where Governor Richardson was traveling. Our governor's office wasn't as forthcoming, which is disappointing following the whole mess last week with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who came up missing in action. Most governor's offices cooperated with the media inquiries and made it easy to find their governors. Our spot check was clearly not that easy.

After multiple calls, we confirmed the governor was out of state, on private business. But no one in the round house would tell us where he'd been.

Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos sent us a pretty vague email this afternoon:

The Governor did not have any public events scheduled last weekend. I generally do not comment on what the Governor does during his personal time, other than the fact that he is always in contact with key staff members.

Today, Richardson was back at work touring in Las Cruces where he donated $30,000 in emergency state money to Jardin de los Niños a non profit that provides child care, education and other help to homeless and near-homeless families.

After we asked where the Governor's travels may take him next, and for how long, Gallegos sent us an email said he didn't understand what we were asking, but after thinking about it sent this news release announcing the Governor and First Lady Barbara Richardson were leaving tomorrow on vacation to Cape Cod.

The state's first family is scheduled to be out of town until next Friday, a sweet 11-day break over the 4th of July Holiday.

Richardson is familiar with the Cape after spending years attending school in the Boston area and in 1967, he pitched in the amateur Cape Cod Baseball League for the Cotuit Kettleers

On Friday, Governor Richardson will interrupt his vacation to receive a prestigious education award in San Diego, where the National Education Association will name him the Education Governor of the Year.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley