Martinez Vetoes SB 9

No surprise here. She basically promised to veto the bill to make out-of-state box-store corporations pay state corporate tax.

Here's what she said in a news release:

 Gov. Martinez also vetoed Senate Bill 9, a tax increase on an arbitrarily-chosen set of retailers that would kill jobs, pass higher prices on to consumers, and drive business out of the state. 

 "While proponents of this legislation may have had a few particular corporate targets in mind when pushing for this tax increase, the result would be much broader and raise taxes on businesses like grocery stores," the governor said. 

"Increasing taxes on grocery stores, clothing retailers, and home improvement stores, while choosing to cut taxes for a different set of corporations - such as large banks, casinos, payday loan companies, or any other large corporation that pays corporate income tax - is not only misguided and arbitrary tax policy, but it's also not the way to foster economic growth in New Mexico." 
 
“I’ve stated repeatedly that if this bill makes New Mexico less competitive, raises taxes, and drives up the cost of items that families and businesses buy every day, I would veto it – and it does just that,” the governor concluded.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.
Here's the reaction of bill sponsor, Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe:

SB9 Wirth Press Release

The Dud That Was the Fireworks Bill

So why didn't the Legislature pass a bill to give state and local governments more power to restrict fireworks during the time of drought -- even though a big chunk of the state's forests were on fire last summer?

Sen. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, who sponsored the bill, as well as Gov. Susana Martinez, who supported it, say it was a triumph of "special interests" over public safety.

Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, whose committee killed the bill, and fireworks lobbyist Luke Otero say the problem was with the bill itself -- and not campaign contributions from a big fireworks distributor. Both noted that fireworks didn't cause any of the major fires last year and that protests of small fireworks businesses were effective in arguing the bill would have severely hurt them.

My autopsy on the bill can be found in today's New Mexican.

Rep. Eleanor Chavez Running for New Senate Seat

Wasn't I just saying something about House members who want to move up to the Senate?

Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque, just announced she's running for the newly created west-side Albuquerque District 14 seat.

Ans she's coming out swinging. Referring to her Democratic primary opponent for the seat, her news release says:

"Eleanor is facing Michael Padilla, CEO of Altivus CRM Solution. In 2007, ten female employees at the city of Albuquerque’s 311 and 911 call center filed a hostile work environment complaint against Padilla. In 2011, Altivus was also hired by MVD officials to handle calls coming in from 10,000 immigrants whose driver’s licenses were called for review by the Martinez Administration."

Sounds like this race might turn into a hostile environment pretty quick.

UPDATE: 12:25 pm: The original version of this post misidentified Padilla's political party.

Roundhouse Roundup : Why House Members Might Like Senate Better

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican 
March 4, 2012


Since the end of this year’s legislative session, most of the buzz in political circles hasn’t been about what bills might be signed or vetoed, but which legislators aren’t going to run again.

It seems that during the past couple of weeks, there have been almost daily announcements from legislators stating their intentions. One interesting thing about this is that Rep. David Doyle, R-Albuquerque; Rep. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, are giving up their House seats to run for seats on the Senate side of the Capitol.

And they might not be alone. Rep. Thomas Garcia, D-Ocaté, last week said he is considering running for the Senate seat held for two decades by Democrat Pete Campos of Las Vegas, N.M. Campos said last week that he is seeking re-election.

There also have been rumors that Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque, is considering running for a Senate seat. And don’t forget Ben Rodefer, a former House member who announced last week he’s running for retiring Albuquerque Democratic Sen. Dede Feldman’s soon-to-be vacant seat (also coveted by Doyle, who defeated Rodefer for his House seat in 2010).

And for about 20 minutes last week, freshman Rep. Conrad James, R-Albuquerque, pondered running for Sen. Mark Boitano’s seat before deciding to stay in the House.

Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe

This is all interesting to Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe. In a phone conversation last week, Wirth pointed out that currently only two former House members serve in the Senate — himself and Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque.

Wirth, elected to the Senate in 2008 after two terms in the House, said it’s surprising there have been so few former House members going to the Senate.

Why should a state representative want to become a state senator? Senate districts have more people than House districts, so you work harder keeping up with constituent concerns, Wirth said. But he said there are advantages.

“The immediate thing is that you only have to run for re-election every four years,” Wirth said. “When I was in the House, it seemed like I was always running.” Another difference: “It’s smaller. You really notice the difference between 42 people [in the Senate] and 70 people [in the House].”

Wirth said he has found that the Senate tends to be more independent. He pointed out that in recent years, the Senate has stood up to both Republican and Democratic governors. Wirth didn’t put it this way, but that’s got to be more satisfying than just being a foot soldier for the chief executive’s agenda.

Despite the fact that there are some issues that will always bring party-line votes, Wirth said in the Senate, there is a lot more co-operation across the aisle than in the House. “You never know where your votes are going to come from in the Senate,” Wirth said. “I’ve had a couple of bills that wouldn’t have passed without support from some Republicans.”

He attributes that largely to the long and close friendship between Senate President Pro-tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, and Republican floor leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales. “It sets the tone for the whole Senate,” he said. Despite the current 2-1 Democratic advantage in the Senate, Wirth said, “Republicans are still in the game.”

When Wirth was in the House, Democrats had firm control of that chamber. But now, a shaky 36-33 Democratic advantage is even shakier because Independent Rep. Andy Nuñez of Hatch often votes with the GOP. This near-tie situation, Wirth said, creates more pressure for House members to toe the line and vote with their caucuses.

All 42 senators are up for re-election this year, and Wirth acknowledged it’s possible that voters in various districts could turn against incumbents known for compromising with “the enemy.” He hopes that doesn’t happen.

Political Poetry

My music column today was about politicians who sing and play instruments. (Check that out on my music blog. Lots of cool videos there.)

I didn't realize at the time we had a poet in the state Legislature. But I just learned that Rep. Bill O'Neill, D-Albuquerque will be reading his poetry at The Collected Works 6 p.m. Tuesday. He's been published in the New Mexico Poetry Review,  The Santa Fe Literary Review, and Malpais Review.

But wait, there's more ....

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Gov. Susana Martinez also tried her hand at reading poetry.
(Video by Trip Jennings. Editing by Rob Nikowlewski)



The governor's got a way to go, however, before she reaches this level. (Sorry. They disabled embedding on this video.)

Gov to Sign Budget Today

There wasn't much doubt that Gov. Susana Martinez would sign House Bill 2, the state budget.

But in case anyone was worried, her office announced a few minutes ago that she would indeed sign it 1 p.m. today at Puesta del Sol Elementary School in Rio Rancho after reading Green Eggs and Ham to kindergartners there.

I'm not making that up.

The question now is what green eggs and pork  in the bill will she line-item veto.

UPDATE: 1:02 pm A previous version of this post placed Puesta del Sol Elementary in Albuquerque. It's Rio Rancho. My deepest apologies to the good citizens of RioRancho and the wonderful children of Puesta del Sol.

More Legislative Shuffle

Heath Haussamen is reporting that Sen. Cynthia Nava, D-Las Cruces, is stepping down and that Rep. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces will be running for her seat. I guess this means he has given up on becoming Speaker of the House.

Meanwhile, Capitol Report New Mexico quotes  Tomas Garcia, D-Ocate saying he's is considering running for the Senate seat held for the past 20-plus years by Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas. Garcia's House district has been consolidated with that of Rep. Nick Salazar of Espanola.

If Garcia makes the Senate run, that would clear the way for another term for Salazar, who has been in the House since before I was old enough to drink.

Seems like there's more of these announcements every day. Have I missed anyone?

UPDATE: 6:15 pm I spoke with Garcia myself a little earlier. He confirmed what he told Capitol Report -- that he's gathering petitions for his House race but "keeping the door open" for a possible Senate race. I just spoke with Sen. Campos, who confirmed that he is seeking re-election.