Soy Blue

Governor Richardson at 64%

I'd just like to point out that according SUSA Governor Richardson earned a 64% approval from New Mexico voters.  In a poll sponsored by KOB-TV December 13, 2005.  Here's the breakdown by some of the categories go check out the rest on your own.

Approval By category:

Pro Lifers 55% Approval
Attend Church Regularly 59%

By Ideology:
Conservative 51%
Moderate 69%
Liberal 77%

Finally go check out this great commentary by Kristen Davenport, she happens to think that Governor Richardson is good for the state.

Commentary: So Richardson likes to hobnob - that's good for the state

By Kristen Davenport
Tribune Commentary
December 21, 2005

Just when you think they're going to let the airplane thing go, the media come out with another headline. "Governor takes a liking to State Police copter," the Associated Press reported last week, in a supposedly investigative report accusing Gov. Bill Richardson of taking the state cops' copter to various events.

So the airplane problem got boring, and reporters decided to look at the helicopter records, too?

Just as with the dozen stories detailing Richardson's trips in the state airplane, I say, "So what?" This is another non-scandal pumped up by front-page placement into a legitimate issue. You'd think the political reporters were in the pocket of the feisty New Mexico Republican Party.

It's been nearly a year now since the Republicans consciously decided to attempt to tarnish Richardson's reputation by portraying him as a party-hopping, cigar-smoking, airplane-riding entertainer with his own makeup artist.

Most of the advertisements, however, focused on the only facts the Republicans could get their hands on: Richardson uses his airplane way more than other governors. Somehow we're supposed to discern for ourselves, from the airplane statistics, that the guy is a scandalous drain on the taxpayer dollar - which is baloney.

The truth of the matter is that Richardson does, indeed, use the state airplane quite a bit. And, it appears, Richardson uses the State Police helicopter quite often - although it might help to define "often." It appears Richardson was in the helicopter on 40 of the copter's 291 trips during a two-year period.

Richardson shrugs it off, saying he uses the plane to "maximize (his) use of time." Guess what? This is an entirely legitimate response. Not only that, but it's true.

Lucky for Richardson, if polls are any real indication, the public hasn't been much influenced by all the "airplane scandal" stories. If New Mexicans had wanted a governor who stayed put in the Governor's Mansion and spent his days reading up on policy issues in a quiet library somewhere - like, say, Ralph Nader - they surely wouldn't have elected Richardson.

It was well known from the beginning that Richardson was a politician who liked to jet around the world. As former U.N. ambassador and secretary of energy, he regularly traveled overseas and hobnobbed with VIPs. Richardson takes on big tasks - chairman of this, president of that, keynote speaker here, professor emeritus there - and such work does require him to actually leave the Governor's Mansion.

Before you deride Richardson for being an "entertainer" and ridicule him for his fancy suits, let's note that all politicians are increasingly like entertainers these days. In some sense, Richardson's flair for entertainment is good for New Mexico, because it gets New Mexico out there in the public eye. It brings in business and industry.

Yes, of course, it puts Richardson in the public eye, too - which is what Richardson wants, for purposes of his own career and presidential aspirations.

But having a president from New Mexico wouldn't be a bad thing for the people of New Mexico, folks. What would we rather have - a president from Texas? Yuck!

Davenport is a syndicated columnist. She lives in Truchas. Copyright 2005, New Mexico News Services.

NPR features New Mexico and the Lege

Well even if Mario doesn't agree that New Mexicans most needy and gasoline consumers  deserve a tax rebate  to help with high fuel costs I think that a majority of New Mexicans are appreciative of Democrats leadership on this economic issue.

I don't think that anyone needs a chart to know that gas prices are  at an all time high and that most New Mexicans could use some releif but here's one anyway.

NPR has a good story on New Mexico's special session to give New Mexicans economic relief here.

New Mexico Considers Relief Measures for Gas Prices

  

 

Morning Edition, October 6, 2005 · Gov. Bill Richardson calls the New Mexico legislature back for a special session intended to ease high oil and gas prices. Richardson is proposing tax rebates and expanded programs that help poor people and the elderly pay their heating bills.

By the way:

• Governor Richardson is proposing a $20 million relief package that will benefit more than 60,000 low-income and elderly people. The package would provide between $100 and $500 to help pay home heating costs. The money would be available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as credits on utility bills. 

• The package would also triple the amount for the state’s weatherization program – from $800,000 to $2.3-million.

• The $20 million home-heating relief package, on top of the $75 million gasoline relief proposal that would provide rebate checks for all New Mexico taxpayers, would result in significant help, especially for low-income families.

Gov. Richardson: Real Leadership on Energy

Yeseterday, Governor Richardson had asked the oil and gas industry to help New Mexicans cope with higher fuel prices.  KRQE and the AP reported that durring the press conference he took a swipe at the industry -- saying it's silence was deafening.

On the very same day bush said,

"We can all pitch in...by being better conservers of energy. I mean, people just need to recognize that the storms have caused disruption and that if they're able to maybe not drive when they -- on a trip that's not essential, that would helpful."

I think that with gas at $3 dollars a gallon most people have reduced their non-esential travel.    And note to my three loyal readers:  Gas prices have been above $2.00 for more than a year in Abq.

You'd also think that at some point especially with a national disater at hand he'd drop the good ole boy schtick and actually speak like a leader instead of empty platitudes.

The good news is that Bush has acknowledged the value of conservation. The bad news is that the country, struggling under the burden of high gas prices, needs more than limp sloganeering.

So here's some examples of good goverment for the people vs. goverment for  corpoations:

Good Goverment

Today Governor Richardson is speaking to senior citizens at the Barelas Senior Center, 714 Seventh Street, S.W. in Albuquerque about his plan to dramatically increase funding for a program that helps elderly and low-income New Mexicans pay their home-heating bills.
Update 2:26 pm:

Bad Goverment

• President Bush has consistently rejected legislative and regulatory policies that would result in significant energy conservation.  (In 2001, Vice President Cheney said "conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it's not a basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.") Nothing in his comments yesterday indicated that Bush is ready to change course.

Good Goverment

• The governor has scheduled a special legislative session October Sixth to ask lawmakers to approve rebates to consumers to offset high gasoline prices and to provide more help with home heating costs.

  The package would cost $100 million. The governor has suggested that the industry kick in another $50 million.

  Richardson says he also wants tougher laws, stronger rules and more state inspectors in order to fight pollution by some oil and gas producers.

Bad Goverment

• Bush's allies in Congress are using high gas prices as another excuse for massive giveaways to the oil industry. The Los Angeles Times reports that conservative "leaders in Congress announced plans to introduce new legislation or amend existing measures to bestow more tax breaks on the industry and provide other incentives left out of the big energy bill Bush signed into law in August.

The oil industry hardly needs the help. Even before Katrina hit, oil companies were flush with cash. ExxonMobil's profits are expected to exceed $10 billion in the third quarter of 2005, "more net income than any company has ever made in a quarter." Now the industry is using Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to jack up prices -- and profit margins -- even higher.

Really makes  you wonder if Republicans even care about people outside of what they do in their bedrooms, or who they choose to spend their life with.

New Mexico has a Governor who understands governing and cares about people.  Governor Richardson wants to give rebate checks to the people and Republicans want to give tax breaks to the oil compaines.

Who would you rather have 4 more years with?

Amigo Mart... Now featuring press conferences

The guys and gals in the Guv's press shop are a creative bunch:

Today Governor Bill Richardson will hold a news conference today in Santa Fe to make a major announce about a possible special legislative session.

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Amigo Mart located at 1229 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe.

Any guess from anyone what the topic will be?  Energy?  Gas Taxes?  Ethanol?  I'd like to know who has better chimichangas, Amigo Mart or Alsups?

Seriously though, on Monday the Governor said that

“People are hurting, and I am seriously considering calling a special session to pass a comprehensive gas and home heating relief package that puts money back in peoples’ pockets."

Governor Richardson said he is exploring several options for a possible special session, including:

• Putting money back in the pockets of every New Mexican – either in the form of a gasoline price rebate, or temporarily suspending the gasoline sales tax.
• Provide cash relief for more than 60,000 low-income and elderly people with their heating bills – just in time for the winter months. The Governor is considering a plan to increase funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
• Pass the toughest possible anti-gouging law to give New Mexico the ability to investigate and punish companies that may be taking advantage of tragedies like hurricanes or other natural disasters.
• Provide emergency cash for public schools and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to cover increases in gasoline and transportation costs. 

For some background on the announcement see the Clovis News Journal, Portales News Tribune , or the SF New Mexican.
 

Mel Gibsons' “Seraphim Falls” Will Shoot In New Mexico

In yet another coup for New Mexico, Governor Bill Richardson announced yesterday that Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions will shoot the feature film Seraphim Falls this fall in Santa Fe, Taos and locations in the southern part of the state. 

The production will employ at least 100 New Mexicans.

Not bad for the State of New Mexico and we even beat Canada out.  Viva Nueva Mexico!

Under the Richardson Administration, film and television production has grown from a cumulative $8 million in the year prior to his administration, to over $400 million in his first 30 months alone.

This film marks the 31st production shot in New Mexico since Gov. Richardson took office.

The cast will include: Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan.  The film will be directed by David Von Ancken.  Bruce Davey, President of Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions, and David Flynn will be producing the project.

Governor Bill Richardson to present Report Card for New Mexico schools at News Conference

Governor Bill Richardson, Lt. Governor Diane Denish and Education Secretary Veronica Garcia will hold a news conference today at Santa Fe High School to unveil a report card that shows where New Mexico schools are in terms of investing money in classrooms,

Governor Richardson will also discuss efforts to improve the state’s grades and move New Mexico schools forward.

The news conference is scheduled for TODAY, at 1 p.m. in the library at Santa Fe High School, 2100 Yucca Road, Santa Fe.

Governor Richardson will also participate with Secretary Garcia in a Community Conversation she is hosting for parents, teachers and students at Cibola High School in Albuquerque tonight. The conversation, one of many that Secretary Garcia is holding across the state, is designed to involve the local school community in addressing roadblocks to student success. Governor Richardson will stress the importance of partnering with parents as part of his overall efforts to make schools work.

The Community Conversation is scheduled for tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Cibola High School, 1510 Ellison Road N.W., Albuquerque.

Commuter Rail on track

Governor Richardson will unveil the first New Mexico Rail Runner commuter rail car  at 5pm today.  It is the first of 10 rail cars and 5 locomotives to be delivered.   Service between Belen and Bernalillo is scheduled to begin late this year. 

The news conference will take place at 5pm TODAY at the Urban Council Railyard Property in Downtown Albuquerque.

Click here for more information on the  New Mexico Rail Runner Project

Governor Richardson Orders 200 New Mexico National Guard to Aid in Hurricane Katrina Relief

New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue Team
Deployed to Louisiana

New Mexico Emergency Operations Center Coordinating Assistance with the National Guard, Department of Health and State Police

Santa Fe- Governor Bill Richardson has ordered 200 members of the New Mexico National Guard to aid in the hurricane relief effort.

“The New Mexico National Guard has extensive experience in disaster relief and after my discussions with Governor Blanco; I have ordered two hundred members of the New Mexico National Guard to leave immediately.  Last night, the New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue Team departed for Baton Rouge, the federal and state staging area for eight to ten Strike Force teams for specific instructions,” Governor Richardson said.

“I spoke with Louisiana Governor Blanco and offered whatever help we could.  The total dimensions of the disaster are still unknown. But, it is clear they need all the help they can get and the New Mexico teams are ready and able to provide immediate assistance.  They are well capable and well trained.  The National Guard and the Department of Public Safety have valuable experience that can be put to immediate use in the impacted areas,” Governor Richardson said.

“We will continue to maintain contact with state and federal officials and respond to their requests for aid as we are able.  Our hearts go out to all the victims, their families and the communities,” Governor Richardson said. 

 
New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue Team Deployed for Hurricane Assistance 

Santa Fe—Governor Richardson authorized the deployment of the New Mexico Task Force 1 has been called up for service yesterday by FEMA.  The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team departed last night and is now en route to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they will stage with other teams to begin highly specialized and skilled search and rescue missions. 

The 70 member team is composed of New Mexico volunteers who are trained in emergency medicine, K-9 searches, collapsed building searches, fire and rescue and other specialized urban rescue support efforts. They are volunteers from fire departments, police departments, wilderness search and rescue teams and other concerned citizens. NMTF1 is administered by the Department of Public Safety Office of Emergency Management. 

The Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) was deployed to Houston on Sunday. DMAT is a 35 member team of volunteer medical professionals, doctors, nurses and others, who will help local hospitals and medical personnel in the affected disaster areas.

New Mexico Red Cross has sent two-- ten person volunteer teams and supplies.

New Mexicans are very generous when our neighbors are in need but donations of food, clothing and other things can not be accepted. Transportation to these affected areas is severely limited and these items would have to be stockpiled, stored and would not reach those in need. Donations of money should be made to the Red Cross or other disaster relief organizations.

The State of New Mexico will be sending more highly skilled and trained volunteers as the affected states request more help.

El Gobernador y La Reyna make Time

KOB-TV is reporting

Two New Mexicans found their way onto TIME magazine’s list of the 25 most important Hispanics in the United States.

The list, which hits newsstands Monday, includes Gov. Bill Richardson and Albuquerque-based author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez.

Governor Richardson Sets Target for Renewable Energy Use, Boosts New Mexico Agriculture

On the heels of news that President Bush may be coming to New Mexico to sign the energy bill Governor Richardson has announced that he will require state agencies to obtain 15% of fuel from biomass by 2010.  He announced today at the Abengoa/Portales Ethanol Plant Expansion that he would continue the state’s progress on clean energy by his executive order and boost New Mexico agriculture by putting New Mexico’s buying power behind the growing bio-fuel industry.

“I am going to increase the state’s support for these renewable fuels by requiring state agencies to obtain 15% of their fuel from renewable fuels, such as biomass, by the year 2010,”

Not a bad use of his executive order privilege if you ask me and a direct contrast to the giveaways that the final energy bill gave to the Exxon's and Chevron's of the world. 

Here we have a Western Democratic Governor making renewable energy a priority and decreasing the country's dependence on foreign oil, keeping New Mexico money here in New Mexico which creates jobs here and improves the quality of the of  our air in the Land of Enchantment.

It also boosts New Mexico farmers who last year "planted 140,000 acres of grain sorghum, yielding 46 bushels to the acre.  Each bushel will produce nearly 3 gallons of ethanol."  Renewable fuels also include bio-diesel, often created from canola seed. 

Governor Richardson today also addressed the Southwest Renewable Energy Conference in Santa Fe, where he outlined his ambitious clean energy program, including:

• Production tax credits expanded to include more wind, biomass, and solar potential
• Want utilities to get 10 percent of power from renewable resources by 2011
• Proposal to create nation’s first ever renewable energy transmission and storage authority, to move renewable energy to larger markets
• Nation’s first ever statewide Clean Energy Bond, taking savings from energy efficiency in public buildings and investing in conservation and renewable
• Clean energy grants, as well as renewable energy projects throughout state
• Global warming greenhouse gas emission reduction targets: 2000 levels by 2012, 10% more by 2020, and 75% reduction by 2050