8-31 Geronimo's Children At Our Door

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Geronimo's children are still knocking at our door. On July 21, the National Indian Gaming Commission issued an order telling the tribe to stop gaming at its Akela casino halfway between Las Cruces and Deming on I-10.
But on July 30, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma filed a motion in federal court asking that the order be overturned. The tribe also appealed the order by the NIGC, asking to be heard by the full panel of three judges.
So the game is far from over. Fort Sill tribal Chairman Jeff Houser vows to use "every means at our disposal" to keep the casino open. And there is no reason to believe the Fort Sill Apaches will be any less tenacious than their fellow Apaches at Mescalero.
The Mescalero Apaches, led by tribal chairman Wendell Chino, championed the original effort for Indian gaming in New Mexico, pushing the envelope at every point he could to bring full-scale gaming to the reservation near Ruidoso.
The Fort Sill Apaches were once neighbors of the Mescaleros back when they were Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apaches, roaming the desert of southwestern New Mexico, southeast Arizona and northern Mexico.
Because of Geronimo's continued attacks, they were removed, in the 1880s, first to Florida and then to Oklahoma. In 1913, four years after Geronimo's death, tribal members were given the choice of staying at Fort Sill or moving to the Mescalero.
`In 1998, the tribe purchased land at Akela, in the area that once was its homeland. The U.S. government put the property in trust for the tribe a few years later. That act gave the tribe freer use of its land than if it were merely a purchased piece of property.
Under some circumstances, it would have given the tribe authority to place a casino on the property. But a quirk in the law, which I hadn't heard before, disqualified the tribe from free use of its land because there had been no break in the government-to-government relations between the tribe and the United States.
Fort Sill Apache leaders are asking what that interpretation could possibly mean when the Apaches were held prisoner for 27 years. The only relationship during those years, in the interpretation of Chairman Jeff Houser, was a government-to-prisoner relationship.
Maybe government lawyers can finesse the meaning of those words but it certainly seems the intent is clear to find a way of preventing the Fort Sill tribe from opening a casino in its homeland. In fact, the casino is called the Apache Homeland Casino.
Gov. Bill Richardson's office is pleased with the federal government's decision to order the casino closed. When the tribe first opened the casino at Akela, in February 2008, Richardson dispatched State Police to block access to the property.
In April 2008, the casino reopened on a limited basis. Since then the state has stayed out of the matter saying it is a federal issue.
Richardson has said he doesn't want to expand gambling any more than it already is in New Mexico. Through renegotiated agreements with gaming tribes, a limit of six racinos in the state has been placed on horse tracks and a limit of three casinos each has been placed on tribes and pueblos.
The number of casinos and racinos in the state has mushroomed since Gov. Gary Johnson approved the first one days after taking office in 1995. They have proliferated to all corners of the state except the southwest corner. An Akela casino would be the closest to that corner.
So far, New Mexico has been able to keep pueblos from putting casinos on property purchased outside their tribal land. The Taos Pueblo investigated buying the Kachina Lodge in downtown Taos for a casino. The Jemez Pueblo tried to buy land near Anthony for a casino. Neither materialized.
But it could happen. In neighboring Arizona, several tribes have bought land near Phoenix and built casinos. The latest is a tribe that has bought next door to Glendale's new NFL stadium.
MON, 8-31-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

We'll be in Vegas all next week celebrating our 48th anniversary. I promised not to take my computer so will miss Sept. 2 column. Cell phone: 505-699-9982.

8-28 Carpetbaggers and Home Town Face-Offs

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Here he comes. There he goes. As quickly as Nathan Krekula, of Hobbs, got into the New Mexico gubernatorial race, he was out. Blogger Heath Haussamen was about the only person in the news business to catch a glimpse of him on the way by.
After taking a realistic look at his chances, Krekula decided he needed more time with his family -- and with the Republican Party. But sooner or later he will be back. If a Republican doesn't win next year, he'll be back in 2014.
Krekula is the second Republican governor candidate to decide to spend more time with his family. Gen. Greg Zanetti made the same decision after an exhaustive statewide tour last spring.
As someone who worked long hours and spent much time on the road, I have had many occasions to wish I had spent more time with my family so I'm always understanding of those who make the choice.
Cabinet Secretary of the trouble-plagued state Department of Workforce Solutions, Betty Sparrow-Doris, also will be getting more time to spend with her family.
Krekula has only been in the state for five years but if he works hard, there is no limit to his possibilities.
Bill Richardson had only been in the state two years when he almost beat longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan. Following redistricting two years later, Richardson was representing New Mexico in Congress with only four years of residency under his belt.
Richardson wasn't the only carpetbagger. Former Rep. Heather Wilson was here only about six years before going to Congress. Former Rep. Bill Redmond was here about 12 years. Rep. Ed Foreman lost his seat in Texas in 1964 and followed up by winning a congressional seat in New Mexico in 1968. But Foreman grew up in New Mexico.
Becoming governor soon after moving to a state is more difficult. David Cargo, governor from 1967-70, had only been in the state a little over 10 years. Gary Johnson had been in New Mexico around 25 years.
Krekula is finishing his doctorate in public health and hopes to be active in advising the Republican party on that issue. He teaches at the University of the Southwest, which bills itself as a Christian university. If Krekula can tap into the conservative Christian wing of the state Republican Party, he will have a good base with which to work.
If he and current Lt. Gov. Diane Denish ever were to find themselves running against each other, it would be somewhat novel to have two people with Hobbs connections opposing each other.
It would be novel but not unique. In 1982, Attorney General Jeff Bingaman challenged incumbent U.S. Sen. Harrison Schmitt. Both grew up in Silver City, went to the same schools and the same church.
Bingaman's father was on the faculty of Western New Mexico University. During part of that time, Schmitt's father was president of the university's board of regents.
Will Denish become New Mexico's next governor? One group of state employees certainly thinks so. Reports are that Richardson has appointed 460 people to exempt positions in state government. Those are positions not under the state personnel act. They are subject to removal at the governor's will.
When it appeared Richardson was on his way to Washington last November, Lt. Gov. Denish sent a letter to all holders of exempt positions thanking them for their work and advising that anyone with plans to continue in state government should submit an application.
The stampede to Denish's door was thunderous. And the stampede back to Richardson a month later was equally frantic. But the exempts didn't forget about Denish's letter.
Reportedly exempt employees within each department of state government have invited Denish to informal luncheons to let her know how invaluable they are to their department.
And what of the grand jury into pay-to-play in the Richardson administration? It is said to be finished and the papers now are on Attorney General Eric Holder's desk.
FRI, 8-28-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-26 More Thoughts on Health Care

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE – My layman's explanation of health care two weeks ago elicited numerous replies, as expected. Some of them had additional information I thought I'd pass on.
I mentioned Medicare and Medicaid as two instances of the government already being involved in heath care. I was reminded that the Veterans Administration and the Indian Health Service also provide health care.
The point was made that the government already takes care of old folks and poor people. The rich can take care of themselves and the young have their health.
So that leaves the middle-aged middle class to worry about whether they can find insurance at a price they can afford. To that, we now need to add that vets and Native Americans also have the assurance of government healthcare.
Most of the middle-aged middle class have insurance through their employers. But that's not guaranteed. Much can happen to that relationship. Premiums, deductibles and co-pays can increase dramatically. The employer's contribution can be decreased. Costs can become unaffordable to the employer or employee.
Employees also can lose their insurance through layoffs, dismissals, resignations, transfers to a location not covered by the employer's insurance or by divorce from the spouse who has insurance coverage. In that case, the only choice is an individual policy subject to all the underwriting restrictions of the insurance industry.
One reader responded to my point about the middle-aged middle class being the most disadvantaged in the current health care system. He said since he is in that category, he figures any time any segment of the health care industry complains about something being proposed, it must be good for him.
Last week I visited my family doctor for a back surgery follow up. He had a new notice on the bulletin board in the registration area. It encouraged patients to ask for a living will form, complete it and leave a copy for their medical records. I did so and discussed it with my doctor. I left feeling better about life -- and death -- than I ever have.
Several years ago, my wife and I prepared a living will with our attorney. But he's not likely to be at my bedside. My doctor is the person who needs to have it. And his medical consultation was invaluable.
There's no telling how much more the national hysteria about killing grandma will increase. But now might be a good time to talk with your doctor just in case the pressure on medical personnel increases to the point they become reluctant to discuss end-of-life planning..
If congressional Democrats are to get a health care bill passed, it appears to me they must greatly simplify what the House has passed. Starting over would be a good idea. It seems they have tried to tack on every idea they've had over the past 60 years of failed attempts.
Hammering away at a few major, but simple, concepts might sell a bill to the public. Don't worry about the current congressional opposition. They're not going to come around.
But with a simple bill, there will be less to attack and it will be easier for those of us in the general public to wrap our minds around the concepts and not fear any surprises hidden in those thousand pages that may come out and bite us.
I'm guessing something will pass. Democrats need to fulfill that campaign promise. They have the votes, so if they don't pass anything, watch out for the 2010 election.
The bill that is passed will have to please the health care industry, which is spending $1.4 million a day to assure it gets something it can live with. There are some possibilities.
Universal coverage, for instance, would cover the 46 million who currently have no health insurance. That's 46 million new customers, for goodness sake. Some company has to be smart enough to figure out how to benefit from that.
WED, 8-26-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-24 Corruption, License Plates, Capitol Parking

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- This is often called clippings from the newsroom floor. For me it's more like orphan notes from a legal pad. Not enough to make into a column but important enough to deserve a mention.
Corruption reports from around the nation the past several months make New Mexico corruption appear to be in the bush leagues. New Jersey and New York stings rounded up state and local public officials, including the Hoboken, NJ, mayor who had just won election on a promise of doing away with corruption.
Former Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojavich has become the gold standard of government for sale. His corruption trial may yield some additional willing partners in crime.
Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, of Louisiana, has just been sentenced to 20 years for bribery racketeering and money laundering. He was the guy with $90,000 cash in his freezer. Louisiana often has been billed as the place to get one's Ph.D. in government corruption.
New Mexico may pale in comparison to some other states. It is comforting that we are about the only ones who think New Mexico ranks at the top of the list for government corruption.
But it is still a problem that must be addressed. When businesses hear of government corruption in our state, they likely will eliminate us from any of their thoughts about coming to New Mexico. That's because it creates an unstable political situation in which to operate.
Some of our problem emanates from a plural executive with which the framers of New Mexico's constitution saddled us. Instead of the governor appointing the heads of all agencies, as the U.S. president does, we elect many other statewide officials.
Those offices include state auditor, treasurer, attorney general, secretary of state, land commissioner and five public regulation commissioners.
New Mexicans usually know very little about the people they elect to these positions. Their election campaigns are usually very low profile. Once in office, they are as independent as the governor but operate with much less scrutiny.
If the governor were to appoint these people, they would have someone looking over their shoulder. Thus far, in Gov. Bill Richardson's administration, no cabinet secretaries have gotten into trouble.
This is not to say that it won't happen in the next 16 months. And it isn't to say that any of our current statewide elected officials should be expected to get in trouble. But I'm not sure that the plural executive system is the most efficient way to run state government.
Why is it less efficient? They easily can be working at cross purposes to the governor. The governor has no control over them and is not responsible for their actions.
* * *
New Mexico has unveiled a new state license plate celebrating our 100th anniversary as a state. That date will be January 6, 2012. The plate will be turquoise, a color frequently associated with our state. But the Spanish royal colors, red and gold, which also are our state colors, are on the plate too.
The news release from the governor's office was accompanied by a colorful history of the New Mexico license plate. One step left out of the history was my favorite license plate. It identified the county in which the plate was issued.
Santa Fe County, the state capital, was #1. Bernalillo County, the most populous county, was #2. The remainder of the counties followed in numerical order according to population. It was a popular game to memorize the rank of each county and know when you saw a plate, where that car was from.
That system was discontinued in the early 1970s when the state ran out of numbers. That's when we switched to three letters.
* * *
The oft-delayed Capitol parking garage is scheduled for completion in September, in time for the special session. It was supposed to be ready for the regular legislative session last January but numerous delays, mainly due to the relocation of power lines, delayed it
MON, 8-24-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-21 Billy the Kid Letters Found

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- The originals of two Billy the Kid's letters to Gov. Lew Wallace have been located and now are on display at the state History Library in Santa Fe.
The Kid wrote the first letter, probably in 1879, proposing to trade testimony for freedom and the second asking the governor to uphold his end of the bargain, as Billy lay manacled in a Santa Fe jail cell three blocks from the Palace of the Governors.
The letters are highly important to New Mexico history. Billy the Kid is the most famous New Mexican ever. More books and movies have been inspired by him than by any other person in our nation's history.
Not much survives from The Kid's era 130 years ago. These letters reveal more about the real Billy than anything else we have. They reveal that he was not a homicidal moron as he is often envisioned.
The letters are polite, literate and well reasoned. The penmanship was the flowing and formal Spenserian style of that era. So how did Billy manage to get so well educated?
It was those Silver City schools, from which I graduated and from which Billy dropped out in order to escape the law in ninth grade. But when still a teenager, Billy wrote a heck of a lot better letter than I did at the same age.
The two letters were purchased by the Lincoln County Heritage Trust from the Wallace family many years ago. Other letters are in the Lew Wallace Library in Indiana. Incidentally, Indiana chose Lew Wallace for one of its two figures in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall.
The letters were displayed in the Trust's museum in Lincoln until the Trust went out of business in 1999 and R.D. Hubbard, of Ruidoso Downs, took over the property, including the two letters. Evidently they were put in a safe and not were displayed after that.
By the time Hubbard turned all the Lincoln property over to the state, in 2006, the letters had been forgotten. A chance conversation between noted Western collector Bob McCubbin, of Santa Fe, and head librarian Tomas Juehn indicated the new History Museum was trying to get a Billy letter from Indiana to display.
McCubbin suggested the state use its own letters that should still be in Lincoln. A search was made and the letters were found, still in good condition. By the way, McCubbin's impressive collection includes the kitchen knife Billy was carrying when Sheriff Pat Garrett shot him.
So the letters are still safely in the hands of the state and reside in the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library where they can have adequate security and care. Public viewing is available only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday. That's not much but who really has to see the original. If you are one who does, you can visit that library.
For all others, copies of those letters should be available everywhere Billy is featured because visitors need to see that side of Billy the Kid.
It is almost inconceivable Billy the Kid would have entered our folklore the way he has if he had been no more than a juvenile delinquent. These letters are part of the evidence that he was more than that.
Obviously the one authenticated picture of Billy does not make him appear intelligent -- or a ladies' man as he undisputedly was. Some theorize he was less than sober at the time although Billy was not reputed to have a drinking problem. Let's just say he was having a bad day.
And let's dispel a coupe of other myths while we're at it. Billy didn't kill 21 people -- one for each year of his life. First, the date and place of Billy's birth are in doubt, so he may not have been 21. Second, only about six killings can be authenticated and most of them were connected to his role as a hired hand in the Lincoln County War.
FRI, 8-21-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-19 Share the Pain or Prioritize?

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- With a special legislative session to balance the state budget now a sure thing, the big question is who takes the hit? Does the pain get spread evenly or will it be prioritized?
With state government over $400 million further in the hole than predicted six months ago, Gov. Bill Richardson and legislative leaders have agreed that a special session is necessary, probably in October.
The governor had hoped to avoid the session but the shortfall is big enough it is dangerous to use all our reserves to plug the gap. And the deficit would be even worse without the federal stimulus money the state has received and that won't be available next year.
The plan is for a task force, representing the governor and legislative leaders, to agree on a proposal to be presented to a one-day special session. Some lawmakers have expressed opinions that the plan is overly optimistic, unless the proposal is extremely simple.
But considering the number of proposed solutions voiced by legislators and interest groups, the solution may not be simple.
Gov. Richardson and legislative leaders have said everything is on the table but tax increases. To that, the governor has added his desire not to furlough or lay off any state employees.
But some legislative leaders, who have addressed the subject, aren't willing to rule out furloughs, layoffs and a reduced number of vacation days.
At least some lawmakers are upset that the state employees union and those representing county, municipal, school and university employees have filed suit challenging the constitutionality of docking their pay 1.5 percent to make up for a similar reduction in the public employer contribution to employee retirement.
The state employees' union and a child advocacy group have suggested numerous ways the state can generate additional revenue through increased taxes on high incomes, large corporations and removal of tax exemptions and deductions given to small interest groups.
The proposals are accompanied by compelling rationale but none will get anywhere because each proposal is opposed by a strong lobbying corps that would extend a legislative session much longer than a day.
That means sacred cows like education may take a hit. Twice, Senate leader Tim Jennings, of Roswell, has written to school superintendents and university presidents warning them that education must be willing to share the pain.
Public schools comprise roughly 50 percent of the state budget. Colleges and universities add another 10 percent. So a small hit on them would raise significant revenue.
But educators argue that they already took a hit during the regular legislative session early this year. Federal stimulus funds are the only thing that got them close to last year's support level. They wonder if Jennings has sent warning letters to other departments of state government.
Schools are getting some editorial and community support around the state contending that they should be the last place to cut. What other recipient of state funds holds bake sales and collects box tops to make ends meet?
The most popular place to cut seems to be in areas controlled by the governor. Lawmakers argue that without the necessity of legislative mandate, Richardson could be reducing state agency spending, tightening his hiring freeze and cracking down on double-dippers who retire and then return to state government.
And the sorest point of all is the governor's hiring of hundreds of non-essential employees outside the state personnel system. The hiring freeze hasn't reduced those numbers at all.
The task force that will develop the plan to be presented to the one-day session is expected to work behind closed doors. Since it isn't a formal body, open-meeting laws may not apply.
And when, during a one-day session, is there time for any public input into the final decisions? Lobbyists will be the only ones finding anyone's ear.
WED, 8-19-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-14 attachment

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- How long can former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson wait before jumping into the Republican gubernatorial race? Unfortunately for other hopefuls, the answer is quite awhile.
Eight years ago, former Rep. Bill Richardson waited until the end of the year to announce his candidacy. It was Richardson's first statewide race. Wilson already has a statewide GOP primary contest under her belt already.
Wilson lost that race to former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who pounded her for not being conservative enough. That would not be a problem if she were make next year's general election. And Wilson already has a statewide system of contacts from last year's U.S. Senate race.
When Richardson played coy about running in 2001, Diane Denish, Martin Chavez, Patricia Madrid and Gloria Tristani diverted to other races. Gary King got in the contest early and worked it hard. Ray Powell, Jr. entered during the fall
By the time the June 2002 primary rolled around, Powell was off the ballot. King was still on but Richardson dominated. There were some hard feelings about his strong arm tactics.
Wilson likely can't wait as long as Richardson. He had increased his name recognition through being United Nations ambassador and Energy secretary. But Wilson has managed to stay in the news through some globe-hopping gigs. She's not quite rescuing hostages, but then neither is Richardson right now.
If the GOP governor's race holds true to form, the candidates already in the contest will have difficulty raising money while the big donors await Wilson's decision.
The GOP hopeful in the best position right now is former state party chairman Allen Weh, who stepped down from his party post to run for governor. During his four years, Weh was in contact with every county and all the big party donors. He has augmented that with visits to almost every county in the state during the past few months.
Lest you forget, Diane Denish was state Democratic Party chair eight years ago before resigning in order to run. And this year's Democratic chair Brian Colon has just stepped aside to explore a run for lieutenant governor. It's not a bad steppingstone toward securing at least a party nomination.
Other GOP possibilities are Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez of Las Cruces, former Gary Johnson campaign manager Doug Turner of Albuquerque and Nathan Krekula, a University of the Southwest assistant professor from Hobbs.
The Republican lieutenant governor race is as dull as the Democratic governor's race. Dr. J.R. Damron of Santa Fe says he's 75 percent sure. Republicans and Democrats alike are still scratching their heads over his withdrawal from the 2002 governor's race after getting the GOP nomination.
The Democratic lieutenant governor race is the one with all the action. We've already mentioned state Democratic Chairman Brian Colon, of Albuquerque,
Another recent addition to the race is Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. Rael got the Rail Runner off to a great start. He has tons of administrative experience for a job that doesn't require any, unless the governor departs. Rael says he's only 85 percent sure but he's already raising big money.
State Rep. Jose Campos, who also is Santa Rosa mayor, has formally announced. He may pick up some votes because he is not from Albuquerque or Santa Fe. His cousin, Sen. Pete Campos, of Las Vegas, also has talked about a run. Jose's announcement likely means Pete is out.
Also looking at the race is Matthew Padilla a former Navy officer and current law student. Others, we've already mentioned, are Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, and Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Linda Lopez of Albuquerque.
And there will be more. Have you noticed every one of these names is Hispanic? That won't last.

FRI, 8-14-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-14 correction

Changes in fifth paragraph.

8-17 Denish On Ballot Could Help Teague

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Rep. Harry Teague may be helped in his effort to retain his 2nd Congressional District seat by having Lt. Gov. Diane Denish on the ticket with him.
Denish grew up in Hobbs and still seems to consider it home base. Her father was Jack Daniels, a leading member of the business community and a state representative.
Denish spent time in Farmington before moving to Albuquerque and starting a business. She also maintains a place in Hillsboro, NM. She seems especially interested in maintaining rural ties and assisting in rural economic development.
Denish was a strong supporter of Teague in both the primary and general elections last year. If her chances look as good a year from now as they do at present, she may be able to give his campaign a boost similar to that which Teague received from the national Democratic Party last year.
Teague will need as many factors going for him as possible. All indications are that he and fellow Hobbs resident, former Rep. Steve Pearce, will wage quite a battle next year.
Last week I received a call from a reporter with a leading Capitol Hill publication asking if I thought Pearce might be old news back home. I told her it was more like big news.
I said it didn't appear district voters felt deserted by Pearce when he ran for the U.S. Senate last year. A large portion of southern voters were pleased to have a strong conservative seeking to replace Sen. Pete Domenici.
Both parties' congressional campaign committees already are going all out to support these candidates. Both committees have been sending news releases from Washington. to New Mexico media.
Steve Terrell of the Santa Fe New Mexican reports that The Hill newspaper says the National Republican Congressional Committee has named Pearce and 1st Congressional District candidate Jon Barela as two of the party's 13 "Young Guns."
The selections demonstrate how important New Mexico is to House Republicans but Pearce, who will turn 62 later this month, and Barela, 49, don't fit the image established by the teenage Billy the Kid and his pals in movies of the same name.
Actually, this is a training program to help non-incumbent GOP congressional candidates. The candidates must demonstrate a base of support, develop a media messaging plan and show they are capable of raising enough money to get their message out.
Pearce did well in all three categories while winning the district three times but any extra help will always be appreciated, I'm sure.
Ironically, the one Republican running at this point in the 3rd Congressional District, Adam Kokesh, is 27 and an ex-Marine. He also does well in all three campaigning categories. But Kokesh is a Ron Paul style libertarian who will not always follow the Republican party line.
Besides, Republicans have a very difficult time winning the 3rd district. They may find a more traditional Republican candidate to run but the person will not receive the national support enjoyed by GOP candidates in the other two districts.
Dan East, who represented the party in 2008, is a possibility in the 3rd district. He ran a great race in 2008 to secure the GOP nomination but staff problems and a strong effort by Ben Ray Lujan won the district for Democrats.
The GOP might do just as well letting Kokesh go for it. He's full of energy, a good speaker and already has used the Ron Paul Internet techniques to get a good start on a campaign war chest. Rep. Paul has endorsed Kokesh and shared his vast national mailing list.
Kokesh has appeared often with the Texas congressman and is in demand as a speaker on libertarian topics nationally. It is rumored that Paul, 74, may be about ready to retire and that Kokesh is likely to assume his mantle as the leading national voice of libertarianism.
MON, 8-17-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-14 Waiting for Heather

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- How long can former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson wait before jumping into the Republican gubernatorial race? Unfortunately for other hopefuls, the answer is quite awhile.
Eight years ago, former Rep. Bill Richardson waited until the end of the year to announce his candidacy. It was Richardson's first statewide race. Wilson already has a statewide GOP primary contest under her belt already.
Wilson lost that race to former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who pounded her for not being conservative enough. That would not be a problem if she were make next year's general election. And Wilson already has a statewide system of contacts from last year's U.S. Senate race.
When Richardson played coy about running in 2001, Diane Denish, Martin Chavez, Patricia Madrid and Gloria Tristani diverted to other races. Gary King got in the contest early and worked it hard. Ray Powell, Jr. entered during the fall
By the time the June 2002 primary rolled around, Richardson was the only Democrat left on the ballot. There were some hard feelings about his strong arm tactics.
Wilson likely can't wait as long as Richardson. He had increased his name recognition through being United Nations ambassador and Energy secretary. But Wilson has managed to stay in the news through some globe-hopping gigs. She's not quite rescuing hostages, but then neither is Richardson right now.
If the GOP governor's race holds true to form, the candidates already in the contest will have difficulty raising money while the big donors await Wilson's decision.
The GOP hopeful in the best position right now is former state party chairman Allen Weh, who stepped down from his party post to run for governor. During his four years, Weh was in contact with every county and all the big party donors. He has augmented that with visits to almost every county in the state during the past few months.
Lest you forget, Diane Denish was state Democratic Party chair eight years ago before resigning in order to run. And this year's Democratic chair Brian Colon has just stepped aside to explore a run for lieutenant governor. It's not a bad steppingstone toward securing at least a party nomination.
Other GOP possibilities are Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez of Las Cruces, former Gary Johnson campaign manager Doug Turner of Albuquerque and Nathan Krekula, a University of the Southwest assistant professor from Hobbs.
The Republican lieutenant governor race is as dull as the Democratic governor's race. Dr. J.R. Damron of Santa Fe says he's 75 percent sure. Republicans and Democrats alike are still scratching their heads over his withdrawal from the 2002 governor's race after getting the GOP nomination.
The Democratic lieutenant governor race is the one with all the action. We've already mentioned state Democratic Chairman Brian Colon, of Albuquerque,
Another recent addition to the race is Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. Rael got the Rail Runner off to a great start. He has tons of administrative experience for a job that doesn't require any, unless the governor departs. Rael says he's only 85 percent sure but he's already raising big money.
State Rep. Jose Campos, who also is Santa Rosa mayor, has formally announced. He may pick up some votes because he is not from Albuquerque or Santa Fe. His cousin, Sen. Pete Campos, of Las Vegas, also has talked about a run. Jose's announcement likely means Pete is out.
Also looking at the race is Matthew Padilla a former Navy officer and current law student. Others, we've already mentioned, are Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, and Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Linda Lopez of Albuquerque.
And there will be more. Have you noticed every one of these names is Hispanic? That won't last.

FRI, 8-14-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-12 Healthcare Thoughts

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- With all the talk about healthcare, I feel compelled to offer some of my thoughts for what they might be worth. I am far from being a healthcare analyst. These thought are from purely personal experiences.
I've been on Medicare for over six years now and must say, I love it. I can go to just about any doctor, present my Medicare card and Blue Cross cards and never hear another word about co-pays, deductibles or denied coverage. And I know they won't cancel me. That's insurance.
Occasionally I have asked a doctor if an expensive procedure will be covered. I've been told often enough not to worry that I no longer ask. Will the proposed health care plan help me? Not likely. I'm already set for the rest of my life.
Since I already have about as good a plan as I could ever want, why should I support the government extending that guaranteed coverage to everyone else? It will surely raise my taxes regardless of what is being promised so I'll actually come out behind. And the government could lower my Medicare benefits besides.
So about the only reason to support health care coverage for everyone is that I shouldn't be selfish and maybe having everyone covered will make this a better world. I read somewhere it is my patriotic duty to want healthcare for everyone.
If I'm going to be patriotic and unselfish, I at least want to see this proposed plan be as good as it can be. There have been some extremely scary claims made about what is going to happen to old people under the proposed plan.
I'm told President Barack Hussein Obama is going to send out death squads to decide whether I can live any longer. I find it impossible to believe any member of Congress would vote for that, much less a majority of both houses.
And I think the American Association of Retired Persons, to which all us old folks should belong, would be able to keep something like that from happening.
Actually, in my community, the problem is much the opposite. We're concerned that the new owners of our hospital will require all patients be kept alive as long as absolutely possible.
To me, that's not welcome news. My parents spent the last 10 years of their lives in a nursing home, one with acute dementia, the other with Alzheimer's. They had great care and were in good health but they didn't know where they were, who they were or who I was.
That is zero quality of life as far as I am concerned. I am reaching the age at which they started their long downhill slide and don't want to be a burden on my family. I have a long term care policy which I hope would eliminate the financial burden. I will write this column as long as I can to keep the mental juices flowing.
But when I reach the point that I no longer enjoy life, I don't want to stick around another 10 years. I would like for there to be some end-of-life options. I don't expect the government ever to snuff me out. But I would like for there to be some way to respect my wishes.
The main problem in my mind is that the healthcare effort is being rushed. Obama is said to believe it is now or never. In my mind that means never. Everyone needs to settle down and search for changes all can accept.
It appears to me that the poor and the old already have deluxe coverage. The rich can take care of themselves. And the young have their health. Who really needs help? The middle-aged, middle-class.
And yet, at congressional town halls, they seem to be the ones raising the most ruckus. At one, on TV, almost all raised their hands that they had insurance.
Since people with individual coverage are at the mercy of insurers, the protesters must have insurance through their employers. And yet, their health is insured only as long as their job is insured. And that isn't much these days.
WED, 8-12-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-10 Conspiracy Theories Abound in Crazy Times

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- In these crazy times, at least a couple of conspiracy theories have prominently raised their heads.
One of those theories maintains we never went to the moon. Our astronauts landed in the Nevada desert and walked around trying to avoid telltale signs they weren't on the moon.
There was much celebration last month surrounding the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration wanted to toot its horn but was hampered by not being able to locate its footage of that moonwalk.
That gave the conspiracy theoritists cause for much celebration. "See, what did we tell you?" Fortunately news networks had prints but the damage was done.
Conspiracy theories about the government often result because of government blunders. The great debate about a flying saucer crash in Roswell in 1947 was caused by the government quickly changing its story about what happened. And changing it again 50 years later.
Or maybe those weren't blunders. Maybe government officials are laughing about how well their story about space aliens so successfully covered up the testing of advanced aerial vehicles at White Sands Proving Grounds.
Something similar may be happening in regard to President Barack Obama's unwillingness to produce a certified copy of his original birth certificate. In 2001, Hawaii converted its birth records from paper to electronic.
That electronic record is not good enough for some people who wish Obama had not been elected. The president could request a certified copy of his paper birth certificate, show it to the world and the controversy would be over.
Why does he choose not to do what would be so easy? My guess is he thinks it is to his advantage to have an element often associated with the Republican Party running around the country filing suits and producing bogus birth certificates from Canada, Australia and Kenya.
I imagine Obama laughs whenever he thinks about it. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs appears to be stifling a laugh every time he is asked about it at a news briefing. And it isn't the uneasy laugh of someone worrying how much time is left before the world learns the awful truth.
It appeared the "birther" issue would become the theme in town halls held by almost every member of Congress during the August "district work period."
At an early town hall, a birther asked a member of Congress why he had not challenged Obama's citizenship. When he began his answer, she began reciting the pledge of allegiance and much of the audience joined in.
The incident was publicized widely. Members of Congress prepared for the worst. President Obama probably laughed again.
But the worst was not more birthers. It was a well organized national effort to disrupt town halls by yelling questions about the health care bill pending before Congress.
Whereas birther questions can be directed at both Republicans and Democrats, the health care demonstrations are directed at Democrats who have voiced support for the health care bill.
This is a development sure to stop all laughing in the White House. They can't stand and watch town halls disrupted by people bussed in to raise havoc.
There is nothing unlawful about the disruption effort. It would be difficult to ban people from outside the congressional district. Former President George Bush required town hall attendees to present an invitation. But that won't work for members of Congress.
The Obama team is the best group of organizers ever. It will come up with something but it is up against a health care industry that is spending $1.4 million a day to prevent change from happening.
There are more than four weeks left in the recess. It will be fascinating to see what happens.
All this is leading up to what is sure to be the hardest fought general election ever next year.
MON, 8-10-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-7 Names in the News

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Hollywood heartthrob Val Kilmer appears out of the running for governor. Early this year he gave numerous indications he might be serious but that has waned.
The first indication was the reported acceptance of a movie role and negotiations for another. Then the Santa Fe New Mexican's Steve Terrell dropped a bombshell. Kilmer owes the federal government over $500,000 in back taxes.
So it appears Kilmer needs to make some money right now. He has plenty of assets, including a ranch on the Pecos he'd like to sell for $33 million. At times in the past, he has tried to sell portions of the ranch, which has been his home for 20 years.
It doesn't appear Kilmer will be working at raising a campaign kitty just now. That leaves Lt. Gov. Diane Denish as the only Democrat definitely in the race.
That's probably best for Democrats. Kilmer's name would give him a boost but he has a problem with making off-hand remarks in interviews that get him in trouble. Those remarks would be sure to hurt him in any primary or general election.
The 2010 state elections are especially important to both parties. The governor and Legislature elected next year will realign congressional and legislative districts following the decennial census.
Kilmer doesn't look as hunky as he did in his younger days but that doesn't mean New Mexico will be left out of the good looks game. Late last month Rep. Martin Heinrich was named by The Hill, a daily Capitol Hill paper, to head the list of the Capitol's 50 most beautiful people.
As I understand, his competition was not just the other 534 members of Congress. It also included their staff. Heinrich also was named president of the House freshman class back in January.
Heinrich may be a hit in Washington but he knows he's also on another list. The National Republican Congressional Committee has targeted his seat and that of Democrat Rep. Harry Teague in the 2nd Congressional District.
Altogether the NRCC has targeted 70 of the 435 seats in the U.S. House. Heinrich is the first Democrat ever to win the 1st Congressional District seat.. Several opponents for Heinrich have been mentioned over the past months but the field seems to now be down to one, Republican Jon Barela.
By now, every New Mexican likely has heard that Bobby Olguin, owner and chief cook of the Buckhorn Tavern, in San Antonio, NM, bested the Food Network's Bobby Flay in the great Green Chile Cheeseburger Cook Off.
I promised to let you know when it would appear on television but didn't learn the date until our son ate there three days before. That was too late to get it in a column. I understand now that Olguin has won, there is a line out the door almost all the time.
Mine That Bird ran his first race last week since the three grueling Triple Crown races. He finished in the money again but only in third place. He'll run at the Travers Stakes the end of the month before stopping in New Mexico to make an appearance at Ruidoso Downs' All American Futurity on Sept. 7.
Randy Saavedra, director of the state Administrative Office of the District Attorneys has resigned his office following conviction on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Last December, it was revealed that Saavedra had kept an employee on the payroll for almost a year on leave with pay. Saavedra said it was cheaper than firing her for being disrespectful and lying.
Job security for state employees does not mean they can't be fired. It means there is an administrative procedure to be followed. Saavedra's solution sets a very bad example for the state personnel system.
KRQE-TV, in Albuquerque, reported this was at least the third time Saavedra had put an employee on leave with pay rather than going through the dismissal procedure. Saavedra had been director for only three years.
DWIs are serious business but Saavedra deserved to be fired earlier for not doing his job.
FRI, 8-07-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-5 Tough Times Require Desperate Solutions

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Tough economic conditions sometimes require imaginative, even desperate, solutions. Budget crunches have hit our neighboring southwestern states with a vengeance. Arizona, California and Nevada have suffered budget deficits of 20 to 25 percent.
New Mexico has come off relatively easily with a four percent deficit. It also has more than a 10 percent cash surplus, which could be used to erase that deficit. But lawmakers like to keep a comfortable reserve just in case even worse times are to come.
So New Mexico legislators are talking about furloughs and layoffs of state employees rather than use of cash balances or repealing Gov. Bill Richardson's tax cuts for the wealthy or requiring out of state corporations to pay taxes equal to instate businesses.
They call those "painful" remedies. Any kind of tax increase is painful, even if it is on rich people or rich corporations. Those same rich people and corporations also tend to make big donations to political campaigns.
And we wouldn't want to create an unfavorable business climate for big corporations. Wal-Mart might move out. A host of small local businesses would cheer that.
Our neighbors to the west already have tried the less painful options and are having to get more creative. California has okayed some offshore drilling and may have to do some more, even off Santa Barbara.
Gov. Schwarzenegger wanted to drill there but the Democrat-run Legislature wouldn't approve, so the governor made cuts in education and children's services in retaliation. He also began issuing IOUs.
For awhile California was considering legalizing marijuana, which would have brought in big tax money but junked that while still considering auctioning off state owned items signed by the celebrity governor.
If you think that's desperate, in Arizona, they are considering selling their state capitol buildings and renting them back. Arizona's complex of state capitol buildings aren't impressive. They look just like office buildings, except the old capitol, which is now a museum.
New Mexico would have to get awfully desperate to sell its distinctive capitol, which is full of unique New Mexico art. The art may be worth more than the building.
In Arizona's capitol, we saw prints of paintings by New Mexico artists, including two in the governor's office. And that wasn't during New Mexico-raised Janet Napolitano's administration. The governor at the time was Republican Fife Symington.
Southwestern states aren't the only ones getting hit hard by this bad economy. Several southeastern states have not yet begun issuing refunds due on individual income tax returns. That is money that would go right back into the economy as a stimulus.
Although New Mexico state government revenues aren't in as bad shape as most other states, portions of our state are not as well off economically as others.
Southeastern New Mexico' economy has suffered ever since the end of the oil boom. And the outlook isn't good with many wells in secondary and tertiary recovery.
So, around 25 years ago, the Southeast began looking at the nuclear industry as a financial savior. That isn't something most of our state would accept but it is one of those imaginary and desperate solutions.
First came the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, near Carlsbad. It has turned out to be an economic boon, while controlling for hazards. Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted its first license in 30 years for a major commercial nuclear facility near Eunice.
The plant will be the nation's first private fuel source for commercial nuclear power plants. Many other states had turned it down. With the nuclear enrichment plant on its way, talk has turned to construction of a nuclear power plant nearby.
Concerns have been raised about disposal of the waste for which there is no depository in the nation. And that has begun talk of a high-level New Mexico depository. Gov. Richardson has opposed the idea but if the locals and the federal government want one, they might be difficult to stop.
WED, 8-5-09

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com