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.
State House Speaker Ben Lujan said Sunday that Gov. Bill Richardson‘s decision to stay in New Mexico instead of departing to become U.S. commerce secretary is a “blessing in disguise.”
That’s because the 112-member Legislature convenes in less than three weeks and has a very tall order: balance the state’s books. The state of New Mexico is looking at a budget gap for this year estimated at more than $450 million.
And Richardson and his staff have presided over the state for the past six years.
“Of all the people, he and his staff have an idea of where to come up with cuts to make our appropriations and expenditures balance,” Lujan, D-Nambe, told the Independent. “Having a brand new person would have been a little bit harder … to come to an agreement.”
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish had been preparing to take over as governor had Richardson been confirmed as commerce secretary by the U.S. Senate. But she was facing a very big challenge — working with the Legislature to solve budgetary problems that she had little hand in making.
“The nice thing about Diane Denish is that it won’t get dumped on her lap,” said Sen. President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, a frequent critic of Richardson.
In addition to the budget gap this year, which ends June 30, the state also is looking at a significant budget gap for the year that starts July 1.
Many around the Roundhouse had been preparing for the changes expected once Richardson left New Mexico for Washington. But that transition appears out of the question, and state lawmakers will have to work with Richardson again.
Jennings said the Legislature will have no problem working with the governor once again, although the Chaves County Democrat predicted Richardson might be put in an uncomfortable position.
“We have all these political appointees who are making $100,000,” Jennings said. The question with the state’s financial problems is “are we going to keep them funded? He’ll probably want to protect them.”
Besides that, Jennings said he was sorry to hear about Richardson’s withdrawal.
“I am real sorry for him because he wanted it a lot,” Jennings said. “He did us move forward (in New Mexico) and make us think about moving forward. He could probably have done a good job as commerce secretary. He can certainly woo people and he can be a great cheerleader for moving forward.”
