Democracy for New Mexico

Death, Dollars and Justice

From the NM Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty:

Death, Dollars & Justice - Capital Punishment in an age of scarce resources

Thursday, October 20th, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at UNM School of Law, NM Repeal will host a discussion entitled Death, Dollars & Justice: Capital Punishment in an age of scarce resources.  Our guest of honor will be former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, The Honorable Gerald Kogan. During his 40 years of practice, before retiring in 1998, Justice Kogan estimates he was involved in various roles in over 1,200 capital cases. He has a wide range of experience and viewpoints to draw from when it comes to talking about the death penalty.

The discussion will also involve other members of the New Mexico criminal justice community -- including prosecutors, defense attorneys, and prison personnel -- in a thoughtful debate on the death penalty. Questions? Contact (505) 986-9536; visit www.nmrepeal.org or email info@nmrepeal.org

It's (Almost) Official: Madrid to Take On Heather

Maggie Toulouse, Jim Baca and Joe Monahan are all reporting that it's pretty much a done deal that Attorney General Patricia Madrid will run against Bush-Delay rubberstamp Heather Wilson for Congress in New Mexico''s CD1 in 2006. And that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) of the DNC is prepared to provide significant cash and other support for her campaign.

Your thoughts?

UPDATE: Patricia Madrid officially declared her candidacy for Congress in NM Congressional District 1 late Friday. You can read about it in the Albuquerque Tribune.

Set the Iraq Agenda: Sign the Pledge

From Democracy for America:
The war in Iraq began two years ago, on a promise of security—and a web of deception. Now the mistruths have fallen away—and we can see a presidency, and American prestige, sunk in a quagmire.

The cost: almost 2,000 American lives lost. $300 billion spent. A growing tab for our children and grandchildren, in the form of the largest budget deficit in American history. And for the Iraqi people, a stable democracy—and peace—remain nowhere in sight.

We captured a tyrant, but made no provision for keeping the peace. An insurgency took off. Terrorists moved in. And now, we have a country at the heart of the Middle East breeding extremist violence—and verging on civil war.

This is unacceptable. We have to address this issue, and resolve it. But from Washington, we hear little but presidential excuses and the quiet wringing of hands.

Someone needs to take a stand. Here's the deal: that someone can be you.

Take the pledge to send to Washington only those leaders with the courage to face the Iraq mess head-on. Do it today:

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/iraqpledge

We can shake our heads at Bush, and shake our fists at the Congress. In the end, though, we make the Congress. We elect it. It answers to us. And in 2006 and 2008, we can get Congress' attention by telling our elected officials to face the facts—or go home.

Use your power. As the time draws closer to select candidates for the next United States Congress, pledge the following:

I pledge to only support candidates who: 1. Acknowledge that the U.S. was misled into the war in Iraq 2. Advocate for a responsible exit plan with a timeline 3. Support our troops at home and abroad

As we sign the pledge, our names will appear on the Democracy for America pledge map. Let's fill it from coast to coast—so that candidates and the media can't help but see it.

https://www.democracyforamerica.com/iraqpledge

Why sign the pledge? Because you know America can't afford to take more of this. It's time for the public servants we sent to Washington to face the truth.

We expect our leaders to show courage and honor for the sacrifices of our soldiers in Iraq. The best way to do that: by facing the crisis that has killed thousands, emptied our treasury, and destroyed our credibility.

You have shown that courage. Let's tell Washington we expect it to do the same.

Thank you,
Jim Dean
Democracy for America

P.S. If 10,000 patriots sign the pledge today, that would make a great start. But 100,000 signatures would begin to set the nation's agenda. Help us reach that goal—sign today!

This Saturday: Get Your Roasted Organic Green Chile

From the SouthWest Organizing Project:

SWOP Chile Harvest Fiesta October 15 -- Our Annual Chile Harvest Fiesta is here -- Please Join Us!  Saturday October 15; 1:00-4:00 PM; Washington Park, at 10th and Park SW in downtown Albuquerque.  We’ll have entertainment, children’s activities and a Green Chile Stew Cook-off!  And, of course, we’ll be roasting Chile!

Reserve your bag of Organic Chile *now* and pick it up at the park. Bags of Chile are just $25. We have a limited supply so give us a call ASAP at 247-8832 to reserve your chile.  We hope to see you on the 15th!

From an Albuquerque Journal article on SWOP's Chile Fiesta:

"This year's chile is fantastic," project organizer Joaquin Lujan said. "I'm so excited about it. I've looked everywhere for a good supply of organic chile grown in New Mexico and I found it."

This year's chile was picked at Manuel Apodaca's farm in Cuchillo, N.M., about 12 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences.

"His farm is irrigated with artesian spring water and the chile crop is amazing," he said. "Chile is a way of life to most New Mexicans. By mid-October, the green chile season is over and the red chile season starts. This is a celebration to prepare for the coming winter and it pays homage to what we hold dear."

NM Voter Action Lawsuit Discussed in This Week's Santa Fe Reporter

"Outtakes: Poll Position: New Mexico voting machines are under suspicion" by Dan Frosch is featured in this week's Santa Fe Reporter. The article describes the problems with voting machine undervotes and phantom votes in the 2004 election that have been documented by Voter Action and its election experts and attorneys.

As many of you know, Voter Action has filed a lawsuit on behalf of several NM voters against NM Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and a number of county clerks around the state, based on the voting machine problems. The suit seeks a permanent injunction against the voting machines pending further investigation. The article also highlights the ethical problems inherent in the cozy relationships that exist between secretaries of state and machine manufacturers.

It's good to see this issue getting some media play. It's amazing how difficult it has been for Voter Action and others to get any coverage of this issue in the mainstream media, despite the documentation they have provided to back up their claims. What's worse is that it's Democrats -- especially Governor Richardson, Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron -- who have been fighting them tooth and nail in this case and against an earlier effort to get a recount of the 2004 results. If Democrats can't be counted on to ensure accurate and honest elections, who can we rely on?

Visit the Voter Action website for more information on this issue and an easy way to donate to the cause.

A Small Mutiny

Surprisingly, Senate Democrats didn't automatically give Governor Bill Richardson everything he wanted at the Special Legislative Session just completed. Shapes of things to come?

From the New Mexican:

The special session of the New Mexico Legislature that ended Wednesday might be remembered as the first time the state Senate mutinied against Gov. Bill Richardson.

The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, basically gave the Democratic governor what he wanted. Richardson called the session to push his plans for dealing with rising energy prices — use the state’s windfall from oil-and-gas revenues to fund rebate checks to taxpayers and pass a law aimed at price-gouging . But an emboldened Senate, also controlled by Democrats , had ideas of its own. “The governor didn’t consult with Democrats or Republicans in the Senate,” said Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque . “Finally the Senate realized that we are elected to do our own business without taking orders from the governor.”

Sen. John Grubesic, D-Santa Fe, sounded a similar theme: “One of the surprises of this session was that the Senate is restoring itself as an independent body. This should send a strong message to the executive that you need to think these things out.”

Some Democratic senators, such as President Pro-tem Ben Altamirano of Silver City and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose, downplayed the conflict with the governor — though they still voted against some of Richardson’s wishes.

One of Richardson’s bills — the price-gouging legislation — was shot down.

And the governor’s energy relief package was pumped up virtually beyond recognition, evoking cries of “irresponsible” and “reckless” from the governor’s office.

With a windfall of more than $800 million in state funds produced by taxes on skyrocketing gas and oil prices, I can't see how spending a little more than $250 million on relief for citizens, schools and others will be bankrupting the state government anytime soon.

Richardson is threatening to veto some of the package, specifically the $109 million in personal income-tax rate reductions that were speeded up by the Legislature. We'll see. But it seems clear that if the Governor wants to be effective in the next regular session in January, he'll have to do some fence mending within his own Party.

What bothered me most about Richardson's actions was his threat to force the legislators to stay in special session for many more days to consider a raise in the minimum wage. Evidently, this would have been a sort of "punishment" for not swallowing his energy cost relief package whole. A minimum wage measure has been mentioned by the Governor and others for consideration at the regular session in January. It's sure to create controversy -- and long debates.

I think it's unconscionable that Richardson would use an issue of such huge importance to the economic well-being of our citizens as a mere bludgeon to try and get rebellious legislators in line. We deserve better than that, don't we? In particular, I hope the much needed raise in the state's minimum wage will be given its due in the regular session in January, despite it's being used as a political football this time out.

Here's a rundown on the final version of the energy relief package passed by the Legislature.

Meanwhile, there'll be an "extraordinary session" of the Legislature starting October 28 to consider whether there's enough evidence to impeach indicted State Treasurer Robert Vigil. As of yesterday, 19 more counts of extortion have been added to the indictment.

Oil Refinery Proposed for Clovis

While sipping my pinion coffee and scanning the Albuquerque Journal this morning, I was surprised to learn that the NM Senate "approved on a 29-9 vote a bill to authorize the New Mexico Finance Authority to issue up to $150 million in revenue bonds to build an oil refinery in the state. The funding would be contingent on a matching investment from the private sector. The bill headed to the House." This is SB16, introduced by Shannon Robinson (D-17). I hadn't read a word about the possibility of a new refinery in New Mexico in any of the reporting on the Session so far.

I poked around and found this:

Senate Joint Memorial 3 Introduced by William E. Sharer (R-1): REQUESTING THE STATE INVESTMENT COUNCIL TO EXPLORE A PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT TO CONSTRUCT AN OIL REFINERY IN THE CLOVIS AREA. The bill is currently in the Senate Finance Committee.

And here I thought we were headed on a positive path towards becoming a leader in green energy and technology. I guess Democrat Shannon Robinson didn't get the message. I'm not sure how serious this effort is, but I find it disturbing nonetheless.

If you'd like to contact your legislators on these measures, visit the NM Legislature site. Even if this effort doesn't succeed in the Special Session, I'd be willing to bet it will be pursued at the regular session that starts in January. The oil lobby never quits, does it?

NM Bioneers Conference Coming to ABQ and Taos

From the NM Bioneers:
The New Mexico Bioneers Conference takes place Friday, October 14 in Taos (at the Convention Center) and Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, in Albuquerque (at the UNM Student Union). This is the biggest "green" conference in the state, and the buzz around the event is growing daily. Attendees will gather each day to learn, network, and be uplifted by over 60 local speakers sharing their success stories and solutions to many of the pressing environmental, social, and sustainability issues facing us today. (Visit the Bioneers website at www.bioneers.org for more information about the annual Bioneers Conference and our partnership.)

The environmental nonprofit organization Sustain Taos is partnering with the University of New Mexico-Taos to host the 3-day event. The conference actually takes place in two locations, Taos and Albuquerque - but not at the same time. To reach a larger audience, the conference begins in Taos on Friday, October 14, and continues in Albuquerque on Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16. Complete conference information with online registration is available at www.sustaintaos.org/bioneers or call 505-758-2103.

THE NEW MEXICO BIONEERS CONFERENCE IS A LIVE SATELLITE EVENT.

Each conference day begins at 9:00 AM with a local keynote speaker, followed by a live satellite broadcast of the plenary (i.e. keynote) speakers from the annual Bioneers Conference in California. Some of the better known speakers in California that will be beamed to Taos and Albuquerque include Michael Ableman, Janine Benyus, Wil Bullock, Ohki Simine Forest, Thom Hartman, Andy Lipkis, Mill McKibben, Carolyn Raffensperger, and Diane Wilson.

After an organic lunch, attendees will attend talks and forums on a variety of topics -- food and farming issues, renewable energy, urban restoration, sustainable communities, ecological health, water and land use, ecological design, and more. Exhibitors are encouraged to set up displays.

The local programming is different in each location but often related. For example, a variety of food and farming issues will be addressed each day. In Taos, one session called "Northern New Mexico's Legacy of Land, Water, and Sustainability" will explore acequias and traditional community agriculture as a model for sustainability. Another program will showcase unique success stories for food production in the Taos "food shed." In Albuquerque, forums are planned on urban food production, food-to-school programs, and youth initiatives in learning about agriculture.

Renewable energy is another hot topic, especially with rising energy prices. A 3-part series of sessions called "Energy Paths to a Sustainable New Mexico is planned for the weekend in Albuquerque, including discussions on "A Vision for Energy Efficiency and 100% Renewables," "What's Our Current Reality Relative to the Vision" and "How Do We Get to a Renewable Energy Future From Here." In Taos, a session will discuss a unique private-public green energy partnership with the local electric co-op.

Many sessions will be panel discussions that combine the voices of youth and elders and multiple cultures. Some of the other session topics include: GIS Mapping for Sustainability," "The Greening of Healthcare," "Building the Urban-Rural Bridge," "Multi-Cultural Understanding," "Students and Farms and Health," "Innovations in Green Design" (both in Taos and Albuquerque), and "Healing Birth for Healing the Earth."

EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT A HEALTHY AND JUST PLANET IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!

The registration fees are very low for such a worthwhile conference, with a single-day registration only $35.00. Youth and seniors receive discounts. Register before September 30 to receive an early-bird discount. Delicious organic food will be served for lunch for only $8.00 a day.

To keeps registration fees low, Sustain Taos is seeking sponsors to support this uplifting conference. If you want to participate as a sponsor or an exhibitor, call 758-2103 for details.

For conference questions visit www.sustaintaos.org/bioneers. If you need further help, call 505-758-2103.

Thanks - and see you at the conference!
Richard Kujawski and Amy Pilling NM Bioneers Conference Co-Directors

NM Climate Change Advisory Group Events Start Tomorrow

From Dory Shonagon:
Governor Bill Richardson created the New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG) in June, 2005. This task force is charged with addressing global warming issues in New Mexico.  For more information go the the Climate Change Advisory Group website: www.nmclimatechange.us.   

NEXT MEETING:  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2005, 1-9 PM, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW in Albuquerque.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

October 19, 2005 agenda, all events at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center:

1 PM - 5 PM --  NM Climate Change Advisory Group Meeting

7 PM - 8 PM -- "Update on Governor Richardson's Climate Change Initiative"

8 PM - 9 PM --  "Climate Change: What's in Store For New Mexico?"  - Dr. David Gutzler, University of New Mexico 

PRE-MEETING OF THE CITIZEN CLIMATE CHANGE GROUP:  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005, 6:30 PM, at REI, I-25 @ Montgomery/Montano exit.

There are many diverse groups represented in the Governor's advisory group (CCAG), including several state departments ( Environment, Agriculure, Economic Development, Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Indian Affairs, Transportation, the State Engineer, State Game & Fish), as well as environmental groups, agricultural organizations and business and industry and energy companies and organizations. (For a complete list of the members of the CCAG, please go to the webiste at:  www.nmclimatechange.us ).

The Governor has charged the CCAG with presenting a report to the Climate Change Action Council by December 1, 2006, which will include:

• Proposals for reduction of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions to reduce New Mexico's total greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by the year 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75% by 2050.
• An inventory of existing and planned actions that contribute to GHG emissions reductions.
• Consideration of costs and benefits of proposals.
• An inventory of historical and forecasted GHG emissions in New Mexico.
• Findings on initiatives to create meaningful regional and national policy to address climate change.

NEXT MEETING:  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2005, 1-9PM, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,  2401 12th Street NW in Albuquerque.

If you are interested in the issues of global warming and how we are affected by it in New Mexico and how the state plans on addressing this issue, this is a meeting you should not miss.  Public meetings are a way for us to participate in the decision making our government officials and departments make.  You can come to listen or stand up and speak.

The evening lectures will help you to understand the process of this Climate Change Task Force and also the science of global warming in detail.  Be prepared to be blown away - the science is all too scarey but true.

PRE-MEETING OF THE CITIZEN CLIMATE CHANGE GROUP:  Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 6:30 PM, at REI, I-25 @ Montgomery/Montano exit.

Please join me at the NM Climate Change Advisory Group Meeting & other events on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 1-9PM, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 240112th Street NW, in Albuquerque.  You are also invited to the citizen meeting on Wed, Oct. 12, 2005 at 6:30pm at REI.

Submitted by Dory Shonagon, 480-1848 - 10/7/05

Heinrich in the Spotlight

Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich gets national exposure on the Sirotablog. Excerpt:

Heinrich is the kind of political leader progressives will be relying on in the future to clean up government and start making it work for ordinary middle-class people - not just the fat cats, the lobbyists, and the corporate interests. He is, in short, a model for how even at the local level, a new progressive populism is starting to boil into a real movement.

By all accounts, Councilor Heinrich is definitely one of the good guys, both in terms of his positions and as a human being. He's not giving up on a local living wage despite the defeat of his Albuquerque proposal in the October 4th election, by a hair. Neither is Eric Griego, another champion of the measure. They're working with Governor Richardson to get a statewide version of the bill on the Governor's call when the 30-day session of the NM Legislature convenes in January.

Heinrich is also contemplating a run for State Public Lands Commissioner in 2006. New West profiles this race. If Heinrich continues to receive positive attention in national blogs, it might well result in his receiving campaign contributions from the blogsphere for his 2006 race. A big plus.

In addition, Councilor Heinrich has long been promoting the designation of New Mexico's Ojito Wilderness Study Area, near Zia Pueblo, as wilderness. Check out an article he penned in 2004 describing the area's unique beauty and value.

Working as a consultant with the Coalition for NM Wilderness, Heinrich devoted three years to helping unite government agencies, tribal leaders and conservationists behind the movement to protect Ojito under the 1964 Wilderness Act. This effort culminated in a Senate bill to create the Ojito Wilderness co-sponsored by Senators Bingaman and Domenici, and a House version cosponsored by Representatives Udall and Wilson. The U.S. Senate passed its version of the bill unanimously in July of this year, after long delays. Reps. Udall and Wilson are trying to get that version a fast-track hearing in the U.S. House this Fall so it can go directly to the President for signature without the need for a conference committee hearing.

You can find out more about Martin's accomplishments and goals on his website. Good going, councilor!