Governor Wants Consensus On Domestic Partnership Bill

Governor Bill Richardson says he won't put a domestic partnership measure on his special session call unless there is consensus between the Catholic Church and gay activists.

Listen to the governor's comments here:



This morning, Trip Jennings, at the New Mexico Independent, reported the governor wants to make sure there is a clear definition of domestic partnerships before moving forward.

We still don't understand why the Catholic Church needs to be consulted in a legal matter. But they have been flexing their muscle on this issue.

America's constitution is fairly clear on two points here.

First, there is a separation of church and state. Second, there should be no discrimination against any class of people, especially in 2009. Clearly the state does not recognize "church" weddings. Heterosexual couples must get a marriage license.

For extended coverage on the civil rights for the GLBT community read Barbara Wold's blog Democracy for New Mexico here. But, first listen to comments from Senate Majority leader Michael Sanchez.

He told us this morning that he doesn't believe any domestic partnership bills will be included in a "likely" special session this year, but he's optimistic that it can be passed next year, despite a resounding defeat this year.

Sen. Sanchez also told us he'd consider carrying the measure forward.



The majority, leader also told us webcasting on NM Senate proceedings is fine, "its got its time and its place." He predicts viewers will have a better [camera] angle next year where only one camera was placed at the back of the chamber.

In the audio above, Sen. Sanchez also told us if he decides to run for state office (he has told us before today that he has an interest in challenging Lt. Governor Diane Denish for the governor's job in 2010)he'll consider honoring political contribution limits before the 2011 start date.

We asked Sen. Sanchez if there needs to more ethics reform and transparency in the legislature before health care reform can be passed.

"We took some steps to make people understand that we are opening up our conference committee. There is more transparency. The campaign contribution limit is there, and I think it's good."

Sanchez also says it took him a few days after the grueling 60-day session to rejuvenate, but he's back on the job practicing law in Belen and Los Lunas.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

State Treasurer Savoring "Obama-time"

Months before New Mexico State Treasurer James Lewis was re-elected president of the Western State Treasurers Association he stood on the steps of the state capitol in Santa Fe and told a crowd gathered there that he was going to endorse Barack Obama.

In March and April, Lewis campaigned and was elected as an Obama delegate to the DNC in Denver this August.

On Tuesday night, Lewis could be seen cherishing the historic 2008 election while watching network newscasters declare Obama had captured the 270 electoral votes needed to be elected.

Lewis told the crowd of about 2500 people at the ABQ Convention Center that he had a premonition about Obama. He said, "I knew he was a special person." Lewis believes the 47-year old president-elect has the fortitude and the vision to lead the country though some of the most pressing issues, including the economy.

We had a chance to talk to Lewis on Friday.




Lewis tells us he's looking at the election of the 44th President of the United States in its historical perspective. He says the country has come along way since the Jim Crow laws, used to block African Americans from voting. Lewis even reminded us that before the 1965 Voting Rights Act his relatives were prevented from voting because they didn't know how many "bubbles were in a bar of soap."

"This is a proud moment for me," said Lewis. "It's a sense of achievement."

Lewis says any young person who goes out and gets a good education and has a strong work ethic can acheieve anything they want.

"He's getting the last laugh," said Lewis about Obama's election on Tuesday.

Lewis said, "Obama had a history of pulling people together. We need someone like him during these tough economic times."

"He'll surround himself with competent people and will listen to his advisors," said Lewis who has not yet heard if he'll be appointed to a transition team. In 1993 Lewis was picked by the President-Elect Clinton and worked with four or five other people developing a transition report for the export/import bank.

For now he's preparing for the legislature and and projected revenue shortfalls.

Lewis also took a few minutes analyzing what the New Mexican Republican Party might consider doing to re-establish itself after stunning defeats in all three congressional districts.

Our colleagues at Democracy for New Mexico captured Lewis on stage election night in this video. And the ABQJOURNAL covered the state's African American community exuberant reaction to Obama's election here.

You can also listen to our interview with Mr. Lewis in Denver during the DNC in our audio archives.

U.S. Senate Candidates Make Final Appeals. Udall Says No Golden Parachutes With Taxpayer Money.

Photo: MG Bralley

Well, the two candidates for U.S Senate in New Mexico are making their closing arguments and final appeal to voters. Today Democrat Tom Udall released his final ad. The gals at Democracy for New Mexico posted the video of his television spot here.

Republican Steve Pearce, who wants to replace six-termer Pete Domenici (who I'm writing a an article for ABQ the Magazine) talked to morning host Bob Clark at 770KKOB on Monday. You can listen to the interview (without commericials) on line here.

Meanwhile, in response to news reports that six major financial institutions receiving “bailout” funds from the federal government may pay their executives billions of dollars in bonuses, U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., sent the following letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson:

Dear Secretary Paulson:

I am writing today to express my ongoing concerns about compensation for executives whose financial institutions are receiving taxpayer dollars through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA).

As part of the EESA, the Treasury Department announced its plans to invest $125 billion in nine of our nation's largest banks. I have been extremely troubled by recent news reports that these institutions have spent or reserved over $100 billion for employee compensation and bonuses this year. This is nearly the same amount that they spent last year. Institutions receiving billions in taxpayer dollars should not be spending excessive amounts on bonuses.

I understand that you have worked to establish some compensation standards for some of the companies receiving federal assistance. I am requesting that you continue to work vigilantly on this issue and create further restrictions on compensation for those companies that continue to receive the EESA taxpayer-funded assistance.

Additionally, recent news reports have suggested that banks receiving money from the Treasury are not planning to use that money to extend loans, which is critical to freeing up credit and getting our economy moving again. It seems that financial institutions feel that they can afford to pay their executives exorbitant bonuses, but they cannot find the resources to provide credit to America's businesses in order to rebuild our economy. I urge you to do everything in your power to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used to fix the American economy, not spent on massive bonuses for corporate executives.

I voted against the EESA because I felt that this $700 billion package did too little to protect taxpayers, too little to support homeowners, and nothing to prevent Wall Street from repeating the mistakes that got us into this crisis. One of my biggest concerns—which was shared by the thousands of my constituents who contacted me—was that the bailout package failed to ensure that executives who ran their companies into the ground would not receive millions in taxpayer-funded compensation. My constituents do not want their tax dollars being used to line the pockets of failed corporate executives. At a time when New Mexico's middle class is struggling, taxpayers should not be forced to spend their hard-earned money providing unearned compensation for some of America's wealthiest citizens.

If financial institutions have their way, the executives who made the bad decisions that led to this crisis will be rewarded. Despite ruining their businesses, they will be given more money in a day than most Americans will save in a lifetime. Even worse, this injustice will have been paid for with taxpayer dollars. My constituents know that this is unfair and unhelpful. I know that it will only encourage corporate executives to make more unwise and reckless decisions in the future. Please act swiftly to protect our tax dollars and our economy.

Again, I ask you do everything in your power to address this troubling situation. I look forward to working with you in the future and to your response.

Sincerely,

Tom Udall

Member of Congress

UPDATED: PEARCE PICKS UP AWARD FOR PRO WORKER POLICIES

Congressman Steve Pearce received an award for supporting pro-growth, pro-worker policies in Congress. The National Association of Manufacturers presented Pearce with the "Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence" which goes to members of Congress who score at least a 70% on NAM's Key Vote Score Card. Pearce scored 95% by NAM's evaluation.

"Rebuilding our manufacturing base is going to be a key component of getting our economy back on track," said Pearce, a former small businessman. "It's the way we create wealth and good paying jobs for New Mexico and the country."

Key votes included expanding access to America's energy resources offshore, certain free trade agreements, protections for intellectual property and workers' rights.

"The best way to create jobs is to lower taxes for individuals and businesses," said Pearce. "I am proud to support the pro-growth policies that will help our economy and enable New Mexico families to get ahead."

ACLU and Bernalillo County Clerk Entangled in Fresh Accusations

Democracy for New Mexico's got the scoop on an ACLU lawsuit here.

The blog is reporting that Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse-Oliver is refuting allegations by the ACLU that her office released confidential registration information after the ACLU issued a press release announcing the organization had sent a letter to the New Mexico Attorney General calling for a criminal investigation of the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office and the GOP related to the distribution of confidential voter registration information in connection with the GOP's recent allegations of "voter fraud" by ACORN and others.

This is a developing story and Barbara at Democracy for New Mexico is all over it. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Photo: MG Bralley

Heinrich All Smiles After New Poll Shows Him Surging.

Martin Heinrich appeared relaxed and confident as he greeted me with a smile and a handshake Wednesday afternoon. I soon learned why he was so cheerful during this lunchtime AUDIO INTERVIEW at his campaign headquarters.

Greenburg Quinlan Rosner Research, a Washington-based group, also used by Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish’s gubernatorial campaign, published their polling results showing Heinrich surging.

The poll shows Heinrich leading Republican candidate Darren White by three percentage points, 47-44, well within the 4.4 percentage points margin of error. The findings are based on a survey of 518 voters and was conducted June 29^th to July 2^nd. If accurate, Heinrich’s small lead is remarkable! Last fall a Washington, D.C. Newspaper labeled White as “untouchable” when a poll by Roll Call showed White with a 17 percentage point lead, 51-33.

Already a leading fundraiser on Act Blue Heinrich hopes to parlay the latest poll results into additional donations for his campaign’s war chest. He told me he spent more than $850,000 in the primary and expects to spend double that this fall.

Barbara Wold at Democracy for New Mexico reported that “Heinrich actually raised almost $100,000 in the campaign's one-and-a-half week end of quarter push that started with a $35,000 goal -- showing the strong support he's getting from the grassroots-netroots. Since his campaign fundraising began on ActBlue's website, supporters have donated a total of $305,781 to Heinrich there.

Wold writes:

Heinrich will need every penny as the general election cycle heats up. Heinrich's opponent, Darren White, has already received about $300,000 from a George Bush fundraiser in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and another sizeable take at this past weekend's fundraiser hosted by outgoing NM-01 Rep. Heather Wilson. Because this is one of the premier races in the nation and the GOP would love to hang onto the seat, expect money to gush in from all the usual Republican suspects.

This weekend, Heinrich is one of a few dozen candidates who has been invited to attend the 2008 Speaker's Issues Conference hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Northern California. Barbara Armijo at the NM Independent reports the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is organizing the conference. Many Democratic heavy hitters are expected to participate.

During his brief AUDIO INTERVIEW, Heinrich told me he’s passionate about the issues and that his experience on the Albuquerque City Council taught him how to work with people he disagrees with to reach bi-partisan solutions.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley