I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Even before Gov. Bill Richardson is officially appointed to be secretary of commerce, New Mexico appears to be heading into the post-Richardson era.
State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, became today the first high-ranking politician to publicly congratulate Richardson on his not-yet-official cabinet appointment. And he’s thinking forward to the fact that, assuming Richardson packs his bags for D.C., Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is about to become the first female governor in the state’s history.
“It is a great honor for New Mexico and a testament to Gov. Richardson’s leadership that he will soon be joining President-elect Barack Obama’s administration as cabinet secretary for the Department of Commerce,” Sanchez said in a prepared statement. “During this time of economic crisis, it is reassuring to have a steady and proven leader guiding and assisting businesses throughout our country.”
“At the same time, it is also a historic moment as Lt. Gov. Diane Denish will assume the formal role of governor. The Senate looks forward to working together to solve the very serious financial issues facing our state,” Sanchez said.
Meanwhile, Denish is meeting today with Richardson’s cabinet secretaries to discuss “programs, budget and the upcoming session” of the Legislature, according to a news release from Denish’s office. Though Denish spokeswoman Danielle Montoya said the meetings are not in anticipation of Denish’s becoming governor, but are “just part of her annual info gathering for the session,” there’s no doubt the meetings will help Denish prepare for the transition and assess whom she may want to keep on when — and if — she becomes governor.
Of course, all this is assuming Richardson actually does become commerce secretary, but that appears to be something that will happen. Media reports are widespread today that Obama could officially name Richardson as commerce secretary sometime after Thanksgiving.
