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.

Rael beats crowded field to the airways

Lawrence Rael has launched his first television ad campaign in his bid for the Democrat Party's 2010 nomination for lieutenant governor.

A news release from his campaign team says they are buying time to air the the 30 second ad on Albuquerque's commercial stations and on cable outlets throughout the state.

Updated: We've learned the total ad buy is around $7,700.

The messaging, in the ad, focuses on Rael’s ability to build relationships for a better New Mexico and is tied to his Ask Anyone email campaign, which features voters sharing their personal stories about Rael.

“What we wanted to show was the unique power of his leadership, from his personal warmth to his integrity and commitment," Steve Wedeen, of Vaughn Wedeen Kuhn said about the spot he produced. "We wanted to show Lawrence up close for the voters to see.”

Rael, who retired from as the Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, faces four other candidates, including former Democratic Party of New Mexico chair Brian Colón, state Rep. Joe Campos and state Senators Linda Lopez and Jerry Ortiz y Pino.

Colón's camp said it is also making plans for a "substantial ad buy early in the campaign."

Each candidate is vying for at minimum of 20 percent of the delegate vote at the New Mexico Democrat Party's 2010 state convention on March 13th at the Buffalo Thunder resort for an automatic ballot position in June primary election.

Four Republicans have announced their candidacies for lieutenant governor — state Sen. Kent Cravens of Albuquerque, 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate J.R. Damron, former state Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton, 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee John Sanchez. Albuqureque nurse Bea Sheridan has withdrawn from the race.

Suit challenges state's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions

Three Republican lawmakers have joined a group of businesses and industry associations who are challenging the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board's (EIB) authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The group seeks a judgement that could determine if the EIB has the authority, under New Mexico law, to impose a cap on greenhouse gases. The plaintiffs have also requested that the court order the EIB not to conduct further administrative proceedings on a proposal supported by New Energy Economy, Inc. (NEE)

In late 2008, NEE filed a rulemaking petition with the EIB seeking to have the state board adopt a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions that is, according to those suing, significantly more restrictive than proposals being considered by the U.S. Congress.

The suit was filed in the Fifth Judicial District of the State of New Mexico in Lea County by state Senators Carroll Leavell and Gay Kernan, state Rep Donald Bratton, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Dairy Producers of New Mexico, El Paso Electric Company, New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, PNM, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau and New Mexico Petroleum Marketers Association.

The group insists greenhouse gas emissions are a national and global issue, which Congress is already considering legislation that would include "a single set of regulations for all states."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also is addressing greenhouse gas emissions. NEE’s effort, which would only apply in New Mexico, would damage the state’s already beleaguered economy, place the state at a competitive disadvantage and significantly increase costs for New Mexico residents and employers, including manufacturers, the agriculture industry, universities, military bases, mineral processing operations, small oil and gas producers, and utilities.

Under the state’s Environmental Improvement Act and Air Quality Control Act, the New Mexico legislature delegates authority to the EIB to adopt regulations and standards in a number of environmental management programs.

The lawmakers who joined the challenge claim:

The legislature has not granted the EIB the authority to consider rules or regulations to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as proposed in the NEE petition. The EIB lacks authority under state law to adopt air quality regulations without first establishing the applicable air quality standards.

They contend:

Neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nor the state have adopted an air quality standard for greenhouse gases. With no national or state air quality standard, the EIB cannot impose a unilateral cap on greenhouse emission in New Mexico.

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.

Land exchanges could be 'political suicide'

"People have told me it would be political suicide to try and solve the problems up there," Lyons said about the Whites Peak land exchanges.

by Peter St. Cyr

Commissioner of Public Lands Patrick Lyons invited elected officials, the media, and the public to his office, at the State Land Office, on Thursday, to discuss a controversial four-way land exchange that he previously agreed to make with private ranchers.

He had planned to use the meeting to discuss the benefits of the state land swaps, but spent most of his time being grilled on the details by state Reps. Thomas Garcia and Brian Egolf, and fending off hunters and guides who were upset the meeting was being held the same day as one of the exchanges was closed -- with Stanley Ranches.

Listen to Lyons' presentation and Q&A here, or by clicking the play button on the bar below.




Making the case

Lyons, who claims the deal will increase the value of state lands in the Whites Peaks area alone by over $12 million, used a slide presentation and maps to illustrate long standing issues such as checker boarded land plots, deteriorating public access roads, trespassing, poaching, and boundary distinctions, to try and make his case.

He told the crowd of about 50 people he intended to solve problems that have existed in the region for decades and "four commissioners before me."

Sensing the unhappiness of hunters and some Democrat leaders, Lyons told this reporter before the public meeting, "people have told me it would be political suicide to try and solve the problems up there."

His advisors may have been right.

Lyons did not get a warm reception from most people in the crowd, which included Mike Anaya and Sandy Jones -- both Democrat primary candidates seeking to succeed Lyons, the only Republican state office holder.

One hunter, Angelo Archuleta, from Mora, accused Lyons of putting the private landowners' interests over the interests of northern New Mexico's hunting community.

Listen to Archuleta confront Lyons, who call's him a "wise ass", at 51 minutes into the audio tape. Later, after Archuleta insisted on expressing his opinion on the swaps out of turn, Lyons told the crowd, "this is why we don't have public meetings in Mora," and requested staffers call the police. Archuleta was allowed to stay after Rep. Garcia told Lyons that he had yielded the floor to Archuleta and that no threats had been made.

Rattlesnakes, antelope, and Bambi...

Professional outdoor guide Alberto Goke, who appeared disgusted with the Stanley Ranch deal being closed without public meetings, told the crowd that the only thing they'll find on lands being traded with Express UU Bar Ranches, will be rattlesnakes and antelope. He claimed all the prized bull-elk will be behind fences and fears ranchers will begin charging thousands for private hunts saying, "we'll be left with Bambi."

Lyons disagreed, and said none of the ranchers have plans to build fences big enough to trap the preferred bull elks on the private lands.

Lyons appeared confident when he claimed wildlife will migrate to water at ponds the state will acquire in the deals.

“We're getting prime elk hunting land," Lyons said. “They'll be at water during hunting season, and that's what we're getting,” Lyons said specifically mentioning archery season.

'It's turned into a political free-for all'

Rep. Egolf, who grilled Lyons about the value to beneficiaries, told Lyons he didn't think the land should be exchanged because some landowners have complained about trespassers and vandalism.

He wants Lyons to leave enforcement to the sheriff and park rangers, reminding Lyons that his job "is to maximize revenue for education -- the primary beneficiaries of state trust lands."

But Lyons said that the beneficiaries he's talked to support the exchanges and that revenues from the Game and Fish Department have doubled during his seven years in office.

In fact, Lyons said by eliminating most of the checker boarding the value of the land will be increased and allow him to make more money for New Mexico off grazing leases and through camping, hunting, recreation and other activities.

But Egolf said, after reviewing the financial summaries, it appeared there would only be a net increase of $1,700 from new grazing leases, and offered to split the amount with Rep. Garcia if it would halt the remaining three deals with UU Bar, Galloway, and CS Ranches.

Meanwhile, two representatives with the state's attorney general's office, who have been investigating the land appraisals and other aspects of the deals, said that once the deals have closed they may be forced "into litigation" and are concerned about the "lack of transparency in the deal."

Lyons said that there has been no secrecy surrounding the swaps, and State Land Office Attorney Robert Stranahan told the group that his office has "always been open for anyone who wanted to come and ask questions."

For now, both the governor and attorney general want the three exchanges, which have still not closed to be halted, but a spokesperson for Lyons' said they will continue as planned.

At the end of the meeting, Kristin Haase told a Journal North reporter, “It's turning into a political free-for-all." She said, “it's disappointing they don't see the merits of the exchange.”

Lyons insists the remaining three deals will move forward on their merits.

In the meantime, he's preparing to campaign for a seat on the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

Berry appoints new cultural service director

Mayor Richard J. Berry has appointed attorney Betty Rivera to be his Director of Cultural Service Deparment. She'll replace Ray Darnell who retired in late December 2009.

“Betty has the background I wanted for this position. She has two decades of practical business coupled with a love for the arts,” Berry said. “I’m serious when I say I want City Hall to run like a business and Betty shares that vision.”

Rivera is scheduled to begin in her new position on Monday January 11, 2010 and will earn $97,000 a year.

Deputy Director Dana Feldman has served as acting director for cultural services since Darnell’s retirement.

Rivera is touted as an accomplished businesswoman who most recently was a founding member of Energy Resources Associates, a consulting service in the electric power industry.

She's also served on grocery chain Albertson's board of directors.

In 2002, Governor Gary Johsnon appointed Rivera as a cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. Rivera also served as a commissioner for the New Mexico Public Utility Commission from 1995-1998.

Rivera is an active member of the Albuquerque Arts Board and of the International Women’s Forum and the New Mexico Women’s Forum.

Rivera is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

Pete Domenici Jr considering run for governor

Pete Domenici Jr. — the 50- year-old son of retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici — is seriously considering running for governor, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting.

Domenici, who like his father is a Republican, has been “contemplating a run since before the holiday season,” the Journal article states.

“I’m looking very seriously at it,” the Journal quoted him as saying. “I’m going to make my decision in a few days.”

Domenici Jr., an environmental and natural resources lawyer in Albuquerque, would become the fifth Republican in the 2010 race.

The paper reports Domenici Jr, who has not run for political office before, does not have a campaign exploratory committe and has not rasied any money for the possible race.

If he decides to run he'll face Albuquerque business owners Allen Weh and Doug Turner, state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, and Doña Ana CountyDistrict Attorney Susana Martinez.

The state GOP pre-primary nominating convention is scheduled for March 13th, at the Albuquerque Hilton. Candidate's have get 20 percent of the delegates vote for an automatic ballot position.

Democrat Lt. Governor Diane Denish is running unopposed in her party's primary.

Wild-born Mexican wolf headed to Gila Wilderness

Wild-born Mexican gray wolf No. 1154 is scheduled to be released at an approved site in the Gila Wilderness on Sunday.

The 1.5-year-old female wolf, has been captivity, awaiting release since its capture in Arizona.

Officials said the wolf has no history of livestock depredation, but was trapped because it left the boundaries of the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area.

"This wolf is considered to be a good release candidate because it exhibits a fear of people, demonstrated by its behavior in captivity," a New Mexico Game and Fish Department released stated.

The Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will participate in the wolf's release.

Area farmers have protested the re-integration of the wolves in the Gila since it began in 2006.

The Mexican wolf historically inhabited the southwestern United States and portions of Mexico until it was virtually eliminated in the wild by private and governmental predator eradication efforts in the late 1800s and early to mid-1900s.

A 1982 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan recommended the establishment of a captive breeding program and the reintroduction of Mexican wolves to the wild.

Both of these recommendations have been implemented, and today an international captive breeding program houses more than 300 wolves, and a wild population of approximately 52 wolves (as of the official 2007 end-of-year count) inhabits Arizona and New Mexico.

Health Department announces cost containment plan

Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil, MD, announced today that the New Mexico Department of Health will make changes to the Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program to help control costs and maintain quality services for clients.

The DD Waiver Program is an optional Medicaid program that provides services to more than 4,000 people with developmental disabilities in New Mexico so they can live as independently as possible.

“These tough choices are absolutely necessary for us to maintain a strong and viable program,” Dr. Vigil said. “Our clients and people who support them will have to reprioritize how they spend their annual budget. We will help people make the necessary adjustments so we can minimize the impact of the changes. People will continue to receive the same quality of services.”

The Department of Health expects to save $9 million a year and will work with clients and providers to roll out the following changes this month. All changes will be in effect by June 30.

The changes include:

• A 2% cut to annual budgets for non-residential services, such as therapies, skill building and care during the day, and to provider rates for these services.
• Families or caregivers paid to provide services in their homes will receive up to 1,000 hours of relief from care giving, instead of up to 1,750 hours.
• Restructuring Family Living Services so providers get paid based on an individual’s needs instead of a set amount.
• Stricter criteria for approving extra services for people who have high-risk medical or behavioral needs.

The immediate changes are necessary because of rising costs to operate the program and the current economic crisis. The cost to operate the DD Waiver program has been increasing over the past few years. The average cost per client has increased from approximately $67,000 in 2006 to a projected $75,300 in 2011. The total cost each year for the DD Waiver program has increased from $252 million in 2006 to a projected $307 million in 2011.

Dr. Vigil said one reason for the increased cost is more people are receiving the most expensive level of care, but some do not need all of those services. The Department is working on long-term solutions to curb those costs and ensure people only get the services they need.

“While we are developing long-term solutions for the program, we have to take these cost saving steps now to protect the program and the people who rely on these services,” Dr. Vigil said. “We are also working with providers to see how we can reduce the cost of doing business with the State, such as limiting the amount or frequency of required reporting.”

The Department expects to make long-term changes to the DD Waiver redesign in 2011. The Department is working with clients, people on the waiting list and providers in planning changes that will make the program operate more efficiently and continue to improve the quality of life for people who have developmental disabilities. Before making long-term changes, the Department will solicit input from the public, the Department’s stakeholder advisory councils and provider associations.

The Department already included these groups to craft the immediate changes. The cost savings the Department is implementing now will help maintain the program but will not allow the Department to take people off the waiting list.

“We would like nothing more than to provide care to all the New Mexicans who need it, but we must balance our desire to serve more individuals with fiscal realities,” Dr. Vigil said. “We will always look at ways to serve as many people as we can.”

The Department of Health assists clients on the waiting list to find and receive a variety of public support from several agencies while waiting for the DD Waiver. Services include special therapy for children who are eligible for Medicaid, special education classes and personal care services for Medicaid-eligible adults such as assistance with grooming, bathing and eating.