Op-Ed: More Energy, More Jobs, More Revenue

"We can’t afford to lose more jobs by raising taxes" state land commissioner candidate Bob Cornelius says.

As our State Legislature convenes in Santa Fe, many legislators have offered several proposals to raise revenue for our budget deficit by raising taxes on the poor by increasing taxes on food. We’ve also seen proposals to tax the “rich” by raising income taxes. There’s even talk of raising our gross receipts tax on business. I am amazed that our elected officials would even consider raising taxes during a time of recession in our state.

What the Richardson-Denish administration and the Democrat led State Legislature fail to see is that higher taxes won’t create more revenue, it will create less. If they raise the tax on food, people will shop less and go hungry more often. If they raise income taxes, people will move out of the state and look for a new job. If they raise the gross receipts tax, businesses will have to find ways to make up the financial hit and that usually means they will layoff some employees or take their company and their jobs to a state that is more business-friendly. According to a report from the NM Department of Workforce Solutions, New Mexico lost over 43,000 jobs in 2009. We can’t afford to lose more jobs by raising taxes.

The easiest way to raise revenue is to create jobs. More jobs mean more people paying income taxes, buying more food, and more businesses doing more work which increases the state’s revenue from the gross receipts tax. The most likely place for new jobs to be created is in the area of energy, both traditional forms like oil and natural gas and by creating a new energy economy to include wind, solar, clean coal, biogas, hydro and eventually nuclear.

Unfortunately for New Mexico, the same Legislature that wants to raise your taxes, has also created over-burdensome regulations on energy that have attributed to the 43,000 jobs lost and will continue to cause more people to lose their job if steps are not taken to ratify the situation.

Revise the Pit Rule instead of raising taxes

Instead of raising your taxes, the State Legislature needs to take a look at revising the “pit rule” policy created by the Oil Conservation Division. This policy is not law, but it has effectively killed thousands of jobs in the oil, natural gas, and mining industries. This rule adds an additional $150,000-$250,000 to the price of every well a company drills, depending on which part of the state the company drills. If we eased the regulation, a company could spend that $250,000 to create eight jobs that pay over $15 an hour. That was just for drilling one well. Ideally, these companies could hire more people and do more energy exploration. The company would pay more gross receipts taxes, the new employees would pay income taxes and could afford to buy more food for their families. The tax revenue created would help the budget crisis and with oil and natural gas prices recovering, a percentage of the revenue from the minerals would go into the Land Grant Permanent Fund which funds Pre-K through 12th grade education and our colleges in New Mexico.

Along with the revised regulations, I am proposing that the State Land Commissioner work with climatologists and geologists to locate ideal areas for the creation of “green job zones”. These studies would allow us to target areas of state land where renewables like solar and wind could produce the most energy. With the proposed Tres Amigas power plant outside of Clovis connecting major electrical grids and the Legislature’s mandate that local utility companies use 20% renewable energy to create electricity, there is an already made market demand for renewable energy businesses to come in, create thousands of jobs and produce billions of dollars of new revenue for this state.

This could all be accomplished in this 30 day session of the State Legislature. Instead of arguing over which taxes to raise and on whom taxes will be raised, the Legislature could be working to foster a climate for job growth and real revenue enhancements. We can solve this budget crisis by being proactive and taking a new way forward, instead of trying the old failed policies of the past.

The plan is simple: More Energy, More Jobs, More Revenue.

Gen. Petraeus plans Albuquerque visit in July

The Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce announced on Monday that General David H. Petraeus, the Commander of the United States Central Command since October 2008, has agreed to be the keynote speaker at their annual meeting in July.

Petraeus, 57, who served as the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in Iraq for 19 months, is credited with changing the tide of the Iraq war by working with Iraqi forces to establish a persistent presence in Iraq's most threatened neighborhoods. He also noted the critical importance of helping Iraq increase its governmental capacity, develop employment programs, and improve daily life for its citizens.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to bring General David Petraeus to speak at this year’s Annual Meeting,” the chamber's new Chair-elect Pat Vincent-Collawn said. “As a scholar, soldier and leader who has devoted his life to the service of his nation, General Petraeus embodies commitment to duty and sacrifice. We look forward with great excitement to both honoring his accomplishments and learning from his wisdom."

Chamber President Teri cole said the general is a "great example of using strategic leadership during tough times."

“He was able to take a bad situation in Iraq and orchestrate a turn-around - just like many business leaders have had to do over the past year in this challenging economy," Cole said.

In addition to his long list of military awards and decorations, General Petraeus was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report in 2005 as one of America’s 25 Best Leaders, and in 2007 he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential leaders of the year and one of four runners-up for Time Person of the Year. Most recently, he was selected by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the world’s top 100 public intellectuals and by Esquire magazine as one of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century.

For more information, on the July 21st luncheon, and to purchase tickets, visit www.abqchamber.com or call 505-764-3722.

Vassilopoulos launches campaign for land office

Oilman and geologist Spiro Vassilopoulos announced today that he will enter the Republican primary for land commissioner.

“As a certified petroleum geologist and independent oil and gas producer, my domestic and international experience gives me considerable advantage over those with no such expertise,” Vassilopoulous wrote in an e-mail received by NMPolitics.net.

In 2008, Vassilopoulos, a political newcomer, campaigned briefly for Sen. Pete Domenici's seat after the six-term senator announced his retirement, but dropped out of the race after then Rep. Steve Pearce entered the race.

Vassilopoulos has hired Daniel Garza has his campaign manager, and Max Sanchez to be his treasurer.

Vassilopoulos said he's confident he will have enough petition signatures and will file with the secretary of state's office on February 9th.

In the Republican pre-primary race, Vassilopoulos will face Jim Jackson, who took a leave of absence from the state land office to campaign for the post, cattle rancher Matt Rush, retired law-enforcement officer Errol Chavez, and GOP activist Bob Cornelius in the state's pre-primary nominating convention on March 13 in Albuquerque.

Four candidates have entered the Democratic primary, including Santa Fe County Commissioners Harry Montoya and Mike Anaya, PRC Commissioner Sandy Jones, and former commissioner of public lands Ray Powell.

Hart Stebbins, Hernandez enter District 3 race

Two candidates jumped into the Democratic primary race for Bernalillo County Commissioner in District Three on Saturday.

Incumbent Maggie Hart Stebbins, who was appointed to the seat eight months ago, after Deanna Archuleta accepted a position at the U.S. Interior Department in Washington, made her announcement at the Carpenters's Hall in Albuquerque. Hernandez sent a message to reporters and friends using his Facebook page.

Hart Stebbins said if she is retains the seat she wants to make county government more accountable and responsive to our families and community. And will make "rebuilding and investing in our local economy" her top priority. She also told a crowd of about 60 supporters she wants to keep jobs in Albuquerque and protect natural resources.



“These are tough times, and the recession means we must be focused and aggressive in reviving our struggling economy. This is why I believe we must use our economic resources to invest in local businesses” Hart Stebbins said in a news release. “I strongly believe we have a responsibility to use our taxpayer dollars wisely. This means we must get rid of fraud and abuse that siphon money from crucial public services.”

Earlier this month, Maggie Hart Stebbins authored Bernalillo County’s new Anti-Corruption Law which makes reporting fraud and abuse easier for residents while ensuring worker whistleblower protections.

Since Hart Stebbins appointment in May, she has promoted smarter water use and helped pass the recent water reuse and conservation initiatives that save 400 million gallon of water a year; she’s made prescription medicines more affordable by restoring the Bernalillo County Prescription Drug Discount Card; to reduce drunk driving she’s worked with local businesses to expand the county’s Safe Ride Program; and worked to fix county jail problems and has worked with jail staff, community leaders and service providers to help break the cycle of crime and incarceration.

'Life revolves around serving communities'

Hernandez, who has been a member of the the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority for since 1999, also launched his campaign online Saturday.

In May, the Governor interviewed Hernandez, who co-authored the Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Management plan, as a possible replacement for Archuleta, but later picked Hart Stebbins.

"My life revolves around serving communities important to me. It is my passion," Hernandez wrote in his campaign news release.

In fact, Hernandez has been a neighborhood association president, was a founding member of Bike ABQ, was a community organizer in the Trumbull and La Mesa neighborhoods, and has been an advocate for alternative transportation.

He said he will continue to collaborate with other governmental agencies when elected County Commissioner.

"I've remobilized my supporters from the 2008 AMAFCA re-election campaign as the kernel for this County Commission race and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to help my communities."

Currently, Hernandez, who is currently working on dual masters degrees in Public Administration and Community and Regional Planning at UNM, chairs the graduate student government and serves on the Albuquerque Pride Board of Directors.

District 3, which includes the University of New Mexico, Uptown/Winrock, Kirtland Air Force Base, South East Heights and Nob Hill areas.

Denish announces border security legislation

"Increasing international border security is critical for the economic future of southern New Mexico' Denish says.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish announced new border security legislation,to better combat security challenges facing New Mexico from increasing criminal activity across the border.

The legislation calls for the designation of four executive agency border liaisons to coordinate efforts with the federal government and counties along the border, ensuring the continued development and growth of cross-border commerce and trade between New Mexico and Mexico.

“The security of our international border is critical to the safety of all New Mexicans and we must work diligently to prevent violent crime from crossing over our Southern border,” Denish said. “We must ensure that the free flow of commerce and trade continues uninterrupted through our three ports of entry, with all assets of the state brought to bear in a prudent and efficient manner to support both federal and local security efforts, as well cross-border economic development and job creation."

In May 2008, we reported on a tour Denish took with the NM National Guard along the border. You can read about her inspection here.

After her tour nearly two years ago, Denish told us "the troops and border guards are doing a good job patrolling the area, but the Federal Government needs to continue funding the operation and the state needs to provide housing assistance."

If the legislation, introduced in Santa Fe today, is approved, Border Security Liaisons would be designated by the Departments of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Safety, Transportation and the Border Authority. Each liaison would provide an international border security perspective in their respective agency's ongoing strategic planning. New Mexico Department of Transportation's liaison would focus particularly on vital ports of entry infrastructure needs.

Rep. Cote, who agreed to carry the legislation for the lieutenant governor, said the state has to securing its border with Mexico so, "we can we continue to expand cross-border commerce through our ports of entry."

House Joint Memorial 9 would require increased coordination between these formally designated liaisons and their local and federal counterparts to better leverage state resources and support future economic development in the state's border region.

Denish photo: MG Bralley

Hughes plans PRC campaign

Hank Hughes, the executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, plans to announce his bid for the Public Regulation Commission on Saturday in Santa Fe.

Hughes, who is vying for Carol Sloan's District 4 seat, said he will be an advocate for "New Mexico's families by making the PRC more transparent and accountable to the public."

"Through my experience in serving homeless families and managing two successful non-profits, I believe I can help turn the corner at the PRC," Huges said in a news release. "I have spent the last 18 years leading organizations that help homeless families in New Mexico. And most recently, through my work at the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness I have been developing new, green affordable housing units in Santa Fe, Gallup, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas."

Hughes lists his "long track-record of advocating for New Mexico's homeless," including work on green affordable housing projects as qualifying experience for the PRC seat.

He wants the PRC to be "more accountable to the public by introducing more ethics reforms and oversight."

He said he'll also focus on "making the state a renewable energy leader and standing up for the rights of New Mexico's consumers against corporations and utilities."

The District 4 includes the counties of Bernalillo, San Juan, McKinley, Santa Fe, Cibola, Sandoval, Rio Arriba, Socorro and Valencia.

Audio: Johnson says country is bankrupt

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Doug Turner protesting tax increases in front of state capitol

Former Governor Gary Johnson, a possible presidential candidate in 2012, blames New Mexico's current state budget deficit on both Gov. Bill Richardson and legislators, who voted for the last seven budgets.

"I'm just outraged over the fact that we're in a position that we're in today given the spending that's occurred over the last seven years," Johnson said.

Johnson says "spending has got to stop." In fact, he says it's continuing to increase around the country and in Washington.

He contends what's happened in New Mexico is "exactly what's happening on the national level."

"Spending is out of control. First and foremost spending needs to stop on the national level," Johnson said. "It's not that it's not stopping, its that it's increasing by the amount that it is . It's just crazy.... We're bankrupt."

He and GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Doug Turner hosted a tax protest rally outside of a snowy Roundhouse in Santa Fe on opening day of the 2010 New Mexico Legislature.

"This has just been ... drunken sailors spending every last nickle that they've had, and the notion that somehow we have to raise taxes to pay for the largess over the last seven years is unconscionable," Johnson said.

Johnson is hypercritical of the current administration adding over 4,500 new state employees to the payroll.

"Just tell me one area of state government that has improved as a result of 4,500 state employees," Johnson said. "Prudently I think always need to take in account a rainy day tomorrow and it just hasn't happened."

He is also adamantly opposed to an idea, being floated in Santa Fe to tap the state's permanent fund to help cover projected revenue shortfalls through 2011.

"We've tapped the state's permanent fund for the educational emergency that we had. The money didn't even actually go into that," Johnson said. ""Hey they got us here they can cut the spending to get us out of here."


The complete interview is available online here, or by tapping the play button on the bar below.



'Tax increases only reward reckless spending'

“Tax increases only reward reckless spending and make it tougher for small businesses to succeed and for families to make ends meet," said Turner. "New Mexico does not need another politician in the Governor’s office who doesn’t understand that higher taxes hurt both small business and struggling families,” continued Turner.

Turner said he believes that bureaucrats have not kept their promises to balance the state’s budget. “New Mexicans cannot afford more taxes to pay for the mistakes of career politicians. The answer to fixing broken government isn’t higher taxes. The answer is fixing broken government.” Turner stated.

Our interview with Turner is also online here, or by clicking the play button on the bar below.

Turner told us what he was hearing from people who walked or drove by the tax protest.

Video: Gardner responds to Richardson's speech

Houston announces bid for sheriff in Bernalillo

Dan Houston, with his wife Betty, on stage at Rio Grande High School.

On Monday, Republican Dan Houston, a former Bernalillo County sheriff's captain and Florida police chief announced his decision to campaign for the sheriff's post himself in 2010.

“My plan for the Sheriff’s Department includes strengthening DWI laws by confiscating vehicles of repeat offenders,” Houston told about 200 people inside the Rio Grande High School gym.

Houston was introduced by Nadine Milford, a Bernalillo County activist who is a leader in the fight against drunk drivers.

“Dan Houston is an honest man with years of law enforcement experience. And I know that he will be tough on drunk drivers,” said Milford.

Milford lost her daughter and three grandchildren in the infamous Gordon House DWI crash on Christmas Eve in 1992.

Houston said he has over 26 years experience in law enforcement, which includes experience on BSCO's SWAT Team, Internal Affairs, Narcotics Unit and Commander of Criminal Investigations. He retired with the rank of Captain and is a former President of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Officers’ Association.

Houston also spent 4-years as the Chief of Police of Mary Esther, Florida and from 2006-08 was an Albuquerque Police reserve officer, who worked in the red-light camera program.

Domenici Jr jumps into 2010 gubernatorial race

Updated 11p

Pete Domenici Jr is joined on stage by his mother, Nancy, and father retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici (Photos: Peter St. Cyr)

'We need a new direction...people need healing from eight years of fiscal and ethical abuse' Domenici says.

On Sunday afternoon, Pete Domenici Jr confirmed political speculation and announced his decision to run for governor of New Mexico in 2010.

Domenici told a handful of invited supporters, family, and reporters he's entering the GOP gubernatorial primary because he believes the state is "on the verge of economic and ethical bankruptcy."

"Continuous revelations of budgetary disaster and public corruption at the highest levels of our state's government demand that we not only need a new governor we need a new direction," Domenici said. "Helping New Mexicans and New Mexico is the sole basis and motivation for my candidacy for governor.

"I am an ordinary citizen, who like most New Mexicans, is frustrated and fed up with the unprecedented budgetary and corruption crises our state now faces," Domenici said. "I have a deep concern for our state."

Domenici, 50, who never mentioned his own primary opponent's names during his speech, was quick to criticize the likely Democrat Party nominee Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

"As just one glaring example of the mismanagement and corruption at the top, this governor and lieutenant governor have increased the numbers of political appointees by the hundreds," Domenici said. "As a result, they have created a special "upper class" of state employees, accountable to no one, who are selected based on whom they know or how much they contributed rather than their qualifications and how they can help the people."

Domenici, an environmental attorney who has never run for public office before, said that he's not a "professional politician" and blamed state worker furloughs on a "rash of other terrible financial and spending decisions."

"Now the people are forced to bail New Mexico out of a mess the professional politicians got us into," Domenici said. "Hard working state employees must take time off without pay."

He said the first step he'll take to resolve the budget deficits is to "permanently furlough this administration."

"I will reduce the number of appointments to only those positions the Governor must rely on to effectively implement policies necessary to help the people, not the incumbent."

'I am my own man'

Born and raised in New Mexico, Domenici, a single father, has three grown children and a 9-year old daughter. He is the oldest son of retired six-term Sen. Pete Domenici, but says he's his "own man" who has "developed his own roots, deep and strong, in common sense conservatism."

"This mean limited government that removes necessary impediments to attracting businesses and creating jobs," Domenici said.

New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales said it appears to him that "Republican insiders have been unable to find a candidate for Governor with an actual record of fighting for New Mexico families."

"They’re settling for the biggest name they could find. The people of New Mexico won’t be fooled. It’s common for voters to ask candidates for office ‘what have you done for me lately?’ In this case, they’ll be asking ‘what have you done for me ever?’” Gonzales said in a statement released after Domenici's announcement.

And, Democrats were quick to post a blog critical of Domenici's record as an environmental attorney and listed some of the clients he has represented.

To listen to audio from the news conference -- including an introduction from Sen. Domenici, click the play button the bar below, or listen online here.



Tough Competition

Despite efforts to separate himself from his father, Domenici may have to tap the senior statesman's political network to catch up to four other candidates who announced last year and have been collecting political contributions since last May.

Domenici faces Albuquerque businessmen Allen Weh and Doug Turner, Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, and Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones in the Republican primary.

Turner was the first opponent to welcome Domenici to the race.

“There are so many good Republicans running because New Mexicans are desperate for a change from the policies and corruption they have endured for far too long," Turner said in a written statement. "...This is going to be an exciting year for Republicans and I look forward to the debate and presenting my vision for New Mexico’s future and becoming our party’s nominee for Governor.”

Weh released his statement shortly after Domenici made his decision public.

“This election for Governor isn’t about political connections or surname; it’s about who has the experience to create jobs and get New Mexico back on the right track — I believe I have that experience, and the ability to lead this state forward. I look forward to the debate” Weh said.

A source close to the campaign told us that "we expect to have $500,000 very soon." But the contact would not tell us if Domenici would agree to monthly reporting listing the names of contributors.

"I chose this time to enter the race because it's the right time," Domenici said. "Voters get worn out over campaigns that stretch on for well over a year and dominate the news and their mailboxes for far too long."

He'll need at least 20% of the party's state pre-primary delegates votes at the state convention, which is scheduled on March 13th, to appear on the June 7th primary ballot.

Doug Antoon
Domenici is quickly assembling his campaign team, which includes Attorney and political strategist Doug Antoon, who managed two successful Albuquerque City Council campaigns for Republicans Dan Lewis and Michael Cook, in the 2009 municipal election.

In 2007, Antoon also coordinated the campaign that saved City Councilor Don Harris from a recall election, and then in 2008 coordinated the re-election campaign of State Senator Sue Wilson Beffort.

Domenici's aunt, Thelma Domenici, and Larry Monte were picked to be co-finance chairs.

Councilor Lewis has been picked to the co-chairman of the campaign in the first congressional district, which includes Albuquerque. Domenici said he will announce other co-chairs for the campaign at "news events in their respective districts."

ABQ City Councilor Dan Lewis
Domenici pointed to Lewis' Republican victory, in the most populated district of Albuquerque, as an example of the Republican Party "revitalizing in many parts of our nation."

He said New Mexico needs "a strong Republican governor to continue this renewal, and I want to be that Governor."

'He loves to solve problems'

The elder Pete Domenici, who still lives in Washington,D.C. flew into town for his son’s announcement. He told reporters he’s introduced a lot of politicans, but never his son.



Update:

After we originally published our blog we received an email from campaign coordinator Doug Antoon, who clarified the campaign's plan for financial reporting.

"I would like to shoot for semi-monthly or bi-weekly if we can handle the paperwork and have the people available to post everything on that timetable. But monthly is just no problem," Antoon wrote. "We want more transparency into campaign contributions, not less."