Rep. Lujan says father is optimistic

While Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces scrambles to pick up votes to oust current NM House Speaker Rep. Ben Luján, D-Nambe, at the start of tomorrow’s 2011 Legislative Session, Lujan’s son, U.S. Rep. Ben R. Lujan says he’s optimistic that his father will retain the leadership post.

Following Albuquerque’s Martin Luther King Rally on Civic Plaza on Saturday, Luján Jr. told us he’ll be in the Roundhouse on Tuesday supporting his father.

“He’s been a tireless advocate for our kids, he’s been a tireless advocate for New Mexicans and education,” Luján Jr. said.

While the congressman would not make any predictions he urged legislators to come together especially from a “caucus perspective to do what is right for New Mexico.” He said he has not been rallying votes for his father.

“We’ll see what happens. I certainly hope that the Democrats can stick together. We’ll see ultimately what their decision is.” Luján Jr. said. “ In the end, this is a discussion about the future of the state.”

He hopes “we can have that debate without being disagreeable,” hoping the party comes together before what is expected to be a busy session in Santa Fe.

Luján Jr. says there they Democrats have fundamental disagreements with the Martinez’ administration during “difficult economic times.”

Political journalist Heath Haussamen has been reporting extensively on the two-man contest since November. He reported Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch, has already said he plans to nominate Cervantes, who has been seeking votes from members of both parties.

And adds:

Luján has also been asking Republicans and Democrats alike for support. Sources say the race remains up in the air and within a couple of votes. There will be heavy, behind-the-scenes politicking between now and Tuesday at noon.

Peace Activist Announces Congressional Bid

Peace & Liberty activist and Iraq war veteran, Adam Kokesh, announced a bid for the congressional seat in New Mexico's Third Congressional District.

Kokesh announced he's already raised $25,000, in a single-day web event fundraiser despite computer servers being overwhelmed and crashing. He said in a news release that his campaign signs are springing up all over the district urging people to join the "Kokesh R3VOLution."




During a "Celebrate American Revolution" Kokesk said he would seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representative currently held by first-term congressman Ben Ray Lujan, Jr.

Kokesh referenced Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" as he announced, "'These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country . . . Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.' So began the great American tradition of winter soldiering. I have decided that for myself, the greatest way to continue that tradition is to run for Congress to represent New Mexico's Third Congressional District."

Frank Martin, a local author, indicated, "This is the most important moment in my personal life . . . a critical mass of willingness and defiance has occurred. Widespread civil disobedience is underway." He continued, "People en masse are doing the one thing that government cannot survive - they are refusing to serve the state."

During Kokesh's event, various speakers described what they were already doing to support the campaign. There was even a demonstration of the campaign's iPhone application, the first of its kind, due to be released in a couple of weeks, with a Blackberry version soon to follow. With the wide array of talented, enthusiastic, volunteers already committed 17 months out that are involved in this race, it appears to be one to watch as we approach the 2010 elections.

Local Radio Groups Asks Heinrich for Support Defeating Performance Tax

I'm only a part-time blogger.

My bread and butter comes from my job as the Chief Political Reporter at 770KKOB Radio. It's part of the Citadel Broadcasting Group in Albuquerque.

Today, our General Manager sent this email out asking for support in the community to battle the "performance tax," which would negatively impact music radio stations across the country.

Senator Tom Udall, supported a similar measure when he was in the House of Representatives. Now he's on the Senate Commerce Committee, which has oversight on the issue. That Committee will review a companion resolution in the Senate.

Sen. Bingaman is on the record already and says he opposes the performance tax.

Already, two of New Mexico's new Representatives are offering to defeat the proposal. Now we just need one more congressional delegate and we'll have a clean sweep.

Please read Milt's letter and see if you have time to help, especially if you enjoy FREE, over the air, broadcast, MUSIC.

From General Manager Milt McConnell:

Greetings. I am writing today on a very important matter that is making the rounds of both the House and Senate in Washington , D.C. Some of you may already know about the Performance Tax that the record industry wants to impose on us. I can tell you first hand that it will be extremely detrimental to our livelihoods. First, it would (ironically) result in less new music being played on our FM radio stations. The measure would take 20% of our gross revenues and feed them to the foreign owned record labels. It would not only export $$$ from New Mexico, but I can assure you, that it would result in job losses in an industry that has already taken a beating from this economy.

I need you to do one simple thing. I urge you (and please feel free to send this to all of your friends and family network who care about FREE OVER THE AIR RADIO) to contact Congressman Martin Heinrich's office and ASK (URGE) him to sign onto H.Con. Res 49. This is a Congressional Resolution, that if we get the needed 218 votes, would effectively remove the opposing legislation (H.R. 848) from coming to a floor vote in the House of Representatives.

[ Read H.Con. Res. 49 here ]

As of this writing, we are very near the number we need. Just today, both of our other two representatives, Congressman Harry Teague and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, signed onto Resolution 49. Also, you should know under the leadership of our Senior Senator Jeff Bingaman, he has signed onto the companion resolution in the Senate.

But this fight can be OVER by getting Congressman Heinrich to sign onto H. Con. Res 49. I know all of you have cell phones and friends with them. We have posted Congressman Heinrich's contact information on the 770 KKOB, 93.3 KKOB FM and 92.3 KRST websites.

• http://770kkob.com
• http://kobfm.com
• http://923krst.com/

For the past 80 years, the relationship between the music industry and radio has been mutually profitable for both industries. You know how much FREE PROMOTION we give for the FREE MUSIC we receive. And, you also might be aware that we already pay composers and songwriters for their work....a combined $2 MILLION dollars in our building alone in the last 5 years. The artists can trade on their name. Think about all of the CD giveaways, artist interviews....back stage meet and greets that we do.....not to mention the flyaways and other FREE promotion that we give artists.

Radio can't be held accountable for the fact that the record industry did not build the digital age into their business model. A direct tax on radio's already suffering profitability would force a wholesale rethinking of our station's formats, staffing and our ability to contribute to the communities we serve. And this DOES effect our News/Talk/Sports stations equally in the building. IF it were to pass, I can see many music stations opting for more spoken word format and fractionalize our News/Talk/Sports franchise which is so critical to our building. It is a disruption that SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED, especially in this economic environment.

As you know I rarely send a group e-mail like this...but literally our future and our ability to broadcast is threatened.

Please take a moment and contact Congressman Heinrich's office and ask him to support New Mexico jobs and money staying in the state by signing onto H. Con. Res 49.

Thank You.

One on One with Ben Ray Luján After SF Health Care Tour

First-term U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján, Jr. is staying busy on his trip home to the 3^rd congressional district this week. Today he toured several facilities in Santa Fe to discuss health care reform.

He tells us what he learned in this audio podcast.



Listen to the story about Corporal Charlie an 84 year, wheel-chair bound, vet (in Gallup) who had his purple heart stolen. Luján says Open Hands helped "Charlie" get a new electric chair and that the gift has lifted the old soldier’s spirit. Luján's office is helping to replace the corporal's award medal.

Luján say health care costs must be lowered. He also give us his predictions on what action congress will take this year on health care.

To learn more about the congressman's view on the national health care debate read his guest blog on Barbara Wold's Democracy For New Mexico here.

Luján, Jr. also told us about his upcoming credit card forum and workshop this Saturday (3-4pm) at the Rio Rancho Library. Luján, Jr. says he’ll be discussing the new credit card holder’s bill of rights enacted to provide more consumer protection.

Listen to his comments in this second audio podcast.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Rep. Ben Ray Luján Jr. Hosts Health Care Reform Tour in Santa Fe Tomorrow.

Rep. Luján will be highlighting the need for health care reform and quality affordable health care for all Americans. We'll be watching what he says during his reform tour tomorrow.

News Release:

Santa Fe, NM - Tomorrow, Rep. Ben Ray Luján will hold a tour of community health service providers to highlight the need for health care reform that provides quality, affordable health care for all Americans. He will visit Open Hands, a health center dedicated to providing health services as well as loans for medical equipment for disabled and elderly individuals in low income homes. Following his visit to Open Hands, Rep. Luján will tour the Santa Fe Community Guidance Center, which provides primary care and behavioral health services.

"We must make sure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care," said Rep. Luján. "The cost of health care is spiraling out of control and even families with insurance are only a job loss or an injury away from losing their coverage. We need health care reform that changes the status quo and provides affordable, quality health care for all Americans."


If you go:

10:00 am Open Hands, 2976 Rodeo Park Dr E, Santa Fe, NM
11:00 am: Santa Fe Community Guidance Center, 820 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM

Photo credit: MG Bralley

New Mexico House Delegation Urges Restoration of Education Funding in Recovery Plan!

Updated 7:50am

New Mexico is set to received $953 million dollars from the American Reocvery and Reinvestment Act. That's less money than originally planned, and it cuts funding for school construction. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall believe spending the money will create jobs and get people back to work in the state.

Bingaman's proposal to offer companies a 30 percent tax credit for investing in renewable energy facilities is still intact, and Sen. Udall says he's proud he added a measure to give employeers tax incentives for hiring returning veterans or taking vets off the unemployement roles.

Meanwhile, all three of the state's congressional representatives have signed their name on a letter urging congressional leaders to restore funding for school construction.

This is their news release:

Washington, DC – Today, Congressmen Ben Ray Luján, Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague sent a letter to Congressional leadership in advance of the conference on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The letter urges House and Senate leadership to include the House-passed education figures in the final conference report. The House version of the bill included significant support to local school districts for school construction, Title 1-A and IDEA – programs that will benefit students and help get our economy back on track. The Senate passed their version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today by a vote of 61 to 37.

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act should create jobs immediately and prepare our children for jobs of the future," said Luján. "Education measures in the House version achieved both of these goals through an investment in school modernization, repair and renovation projects, and funding to protect key education programs. School construction puts people back to work and funding to states to prevent education cuts keeps teachers in the classroom where they are able to prepare young people for the jobs of the future.

As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan moves to conference, I am proud to join with my colleagues to urge leadership to maintain support for education and school construction." “With New Mexico facing a $454 million budget shortfall, the need for a comprehensive recovery package that addresses our education needs is critical. Our local schools and governments should not have to make the choice between service cuts or higher taxes,” said Congressman Harry Teague. “A comprehensive recovery package that includes immediate investments in education will not only help New Mexico save and create critical jobs but strategic investments in education will help New Mexico become stronger, more productive and competitive.”

“In order to turn this economy around as quickly as possible, we need to ensure that we are making a substantial and immediate investment in our education system,” said Rep. Heinrich. “The education funding I voted for in the House-passed version of the recovery package will save existing jobs and create new jobs by hiring new teachers, and investing in school construction and renovation.”

The House passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last week. The House version of the legislation included $329 million to New Mexico for K-12 education and over $39 million to New Mexico for higher education modernization, renovation, and repair. It also included $419 million to New Mexico for the state fiscal stabilization fund, which could prevent cuts in the state education budget. The Senate compromise removed $16 billion school construction, $40 billion for the state fiscal stabilization fund, and all of the funding for higher education modernization, renovation, and repair.