Keller Testing the Water?

Yesterday morning, Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, tweeted a link to a newspaper column about him. The headline was "One Democrat who could beat Gov. Martinez."

Nothing unusual about that. Lots of politicians tweet links to positive press about themselves. Even I re-tweet nice things said about me on Twitter -- or at least I will if that would ever happen.

It was only later, after mentioning it to the author, my office-mate Milan Simonich of Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Group, that I realized the column was published more than a month ago.

Maybe Keller had just seen the column, which said "he is as close to an ideal candidate as any political party will find."

Or maybe he just wants to make sure everyone else didn't miss the piece, which declared "As a businessman from a melting pot district, Keller is the Democrat who can bridge authentic values of his party with a jobs agenda. He stands out as the Democrats' best bet to unseat Martinez."

I asked Keller yesterday whether we should be expecting an announcement.

"Nothing soon," he said.

I say stay tuned.

Meanwhile, On the Driver's License Front ...

I just noticed this story from the Associated Press about the Colorado Legislature:

A proposal to grant driver’s licenses for Colorado drivers in the country illegally is expected to get its first vote Wednesday, and one Republican senator said he’s leaning toward voting in favor of the bill.
The bill highlights a changing opinion from lawmakers about immigration in Colorado, a state that seven years ago passed strict enforcement laws.
Democratic Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, the sponsor of the bill, argues that the immigrants living in the country are already on Colorado roads, and that it would benefit if they were licensed, carried insurance, and knew the rules of the road.
Mesa County Republican Sen. Steve King, a former police officer, said the proposal could improve public safety, and he’s leaning toward voting yes. However, he said he wouldn’t commit to a vote until he heard all the testimony in committee.

I saw this right after I read an email from New Mexico's Tax & Revenue Department:

SANTA FE – Two illegal foreign nationals, one of whom is part of a driver’s license crime syndicate, were arrested for fraudulently applying for a New Mexico driver license on Friday in Farmington. Jose Dolores Flores-Bonilla, a Mexican National, allegedly provided fraudulent documents in an attempt to obtain a New Mexico driver’s license. Ivan Jose Gonzales, from El Salvador, allegedly drove Flores-Bonilla from Albuquerque to Farmington in an effort to obtain the driver’s license. Flores-Bonilla, 31, a resident of Georgia, was promised a New Mexico driver’s license for $2,500 by individuals connected to a crime ring that is accused of obtaining New Mexico driver’s licenses for 40 undocumented immigrants living out of state, according to an investigation conducted by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department’s tax fraud agents. Flores-Bonilla reportedly paid $500 advance and was driven, by a yet to be identified individual, from Georgia to Albuquerque. Gonzales, a resident of Los Lunas, then drove Flores-Bonilla to Farmington to get the driver’s license. Both men were arrested outside the Farmington MVD office by the State Police after they attempted to obtain the driver’s license for Flores-Bonilla. Flores-Bonilla was supposed to pay $2,000 to his handlers once he received a New Mexico driver’s license. 
The Department’s Tax Fraud Investigations Division also uncovered that the crime ring has been operating in New Mexico for the past one-and-a-half years by using fake residential addresses and PO Boxes in the Albuquerque, Belen, Los Lunas and Rio Rancho areas. The ring also used fraudulent residential documents to obtain driver licenses to 40 undocumented immigrants from Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay. 
The Department is in the process of canceling the driver licenses fraudulently obtained by the 40 individuals.

Expected reaction from those who want to repeal the state law that allows undocumented residents to have driver's license: "You see, criminals are flocking to New Mexico to take advantage of this bad law!"

Expected reaction from opponents of repeal: "You see, the system is working."

And the beat goes on ...

ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: That's the Ticket!

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican 
April 7, 2013

Remember “Tommy Flanagan,” that character played by Jon Lovitz on Saturday Night Live a few decades ago? Flanagan was the guy who tended to make up outrageous stories, then, as if to reassure himself, mutter, “Yeah, that’s the ticket!”

Lovitz as Tommy Flanagan

I thought of Flanagan when reading the Santa Fe Reporter last week. It was the article about New Mexico Prosperity, a new nonprofit classified as a 501(c)4, a “social welfare organization” that by law must be dedicated to “the common good and general welfare of the people of the community.”

So, what’s wrong with that? Couldn’t a poor state like New Mexico use a few organizations dedicated to social welfare?

Sure, but, the Reporter got hold of a 12-page document outlining the purpose for Prosperity New Mexico. Its goals, according to this report, were taking back the Governor’s Office, “protecting” potentially vulnerable incumbent Democratic legislators, candidate recruitment, “rapid response” efforts, polling, focus group, direct mail, etc. Nothing wrong with that — if you’re the Democratic Party. But not a “social welfare organization.”

The “Organizational Structure” section of the document says, “New Mexico Prosperity will be structured as a 501(c)4 entity. This allows us to accept unlimited contributions with limited reporting obligations.”

Oh my.

“Once each election cycle formally begins, we will form a ‘Super PAC’ that will be used for all electoral activities,” the document continued. “We will still not be limited by contribution limits, but at that time, we will need to disclose all contributions received to the New Mexico Secretary of State.”

Another super-PAC. Just what we need for the social welfare of New Mexico.
When confronted by the Reporter about the overtly political nature of the group outlined by the document, Prosperity’s director, Jon Lipshutz — no, not Lovitz — had a quick reply for the Reporter: The nonprofit’s mission had changed sometime between that document was written (which was after the November election) and in mid-February, when the group registered with the Public Regulation Commission. That silly document with all that political stuff was just a “preliminary” document, Lipshutz said. The mission has changed.

I’d have loved to have heard that conversation: “You know guys, there’s something about all this polling and opposition research and protecting incumbents that just doesn’t seem right. Why don’t we just become a group that advocates for the common good and general welfare of the people of the community?”

Yeah, that’s the ticket!

But before the Republicans start their self-righteous dance, which they’re so good at, Prosperity New Mexico wouldn’t be the first 501(c)4, “social welfare organization” to be involved in politics in New Mexico. 

Just to name one, there’s Karl Rove’s American Crossroads, which ran several television commercials for GOP senatorial candidate Heather Wilson last year, is a 501(c)4.

I spoke to Lipshutz last week. He didn’t dispute anything in the other paper’s article. “We’re a 501(c)4, so we’ll certainly abide by regulations laid out by the IRS,” he said.

Asked about the apparent political nature of Prosperity, Lipshutz, who last year worked for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee until he started his new organization, said, “There are elected officials in New Mexico who want to prevent New Mexico from moving forward.” He said Prosperity’s goal is to focus on issues, inform the public and engage them to “work for change.”

Which still sounds a lot like trying to get voters to vote for the candidates you like and against the ones you don’t.

In this murky post-Citizens United political world, Prosperity is just one of untold numbers of nonprofits fuzzying up that fine line between issue advocacy and partisan politics. 

Something tells me it’s not going to get much better.

Obama Insults Gary King!

The president might have thought he was giving a compliment to California Attorney General Kamala Harris at a fundraiser this week:

“You have to be careful to, first of all, say she is brilliant and she is dedicated and she is tough, and she is exactly what you'd want in anybody who is administering the law, and making sure that everybody is getting a fair shake. She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country..."

Oh, is that so?

What does that say about New Mexico's Gary King?

We await your apology, Mr. President.

(Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Inez)

Martinez Signs Tax Bill

Gov. Susana Martinez -- to the surprise of absolutely nobody -- signed the big, last-second tax bill that will cut corporate taxes in the state and provide incentives for manufacturers.

According to Martinez's press release, House Bill 641l:


* Reduces the tax rate on businesses from 7.6% to a much more competitive level of 5.9%,bringing New Mexico below the national average and making us more competitive with our regional neighbors.

* Allows for a single sales factor option for manufacturers in New Mexico, making our state competitive with the 25 other states that already have the single sales factor. New Mexico was recently ranked first in the nation in export growth, and without a single sales factor, New Mexico would continue punishing exporting manufacturers for adding jobs and growing their facilities in our state.

* Includes a combined reporting provision to address tax fairness issues with large retailers, while also providing an incentive for these retailers to bring their non-retail operations to New Mexico, such as distribution centers, warehousing, back-office, and other functions.

* Includes film incentive legislation that preserves the predictability of the budget cap while providing additional incentives to longer-term TV productions that shoot in New Mexico.

* Fixes the high-wage tax credit and tightens the manufacturing gross receipts tax legislation to ensure they apply to the intended activities.

* Slowly phases out the hold harmless subsidy for cities and counties over 17+ years, including a two-year planning period – a very reasonable and prudent approach that differs greatly from the way it had been previously proposed.

Said the governor;“Republicans and Democrats came together and passed a game-changing jobs package that will level the playing field with our surrounding states and help New Mexico compete for new business, new investment, and new jobs.”

So everybody's happy, right?

Well, not exactly.

In a news release, Veronica Garcia, executive director of Voices for Children, said the bill "is bad for New Mexico. Giving tax breaks to corporations with no performance accountability attached to them will not serve the interests of New Mexico’s children and working families. These tax-cuts-for-jobs schemes are known to be ineffective at creating jobs and growing an economy that works for everyone.”

And Gerry Bradley, economist for Voices for Children, added,“What this bill does guarantee is that the state will have tens of millions of dollars less for education, public safety, and health care.

"Another provision in the bill will cost local governments $26 million by fiscal year 2017," Bradley said. "Cities and counties will be either be forced to pass the cost along to working families, or cut services like fire and police protection.”

So, the argument goes on. But the bill is now law.

I wrote a story about some of the bills still awaiting Martinez's signature before tomorrow's deadline. You can scratch this one off that list.

R.I.P. Odis Echols

The Associated Press is reporting that former state Sen. Odis Echols, Jr., a Clovis Democrat, has died at the age of 82.

Stolen from
Joe Monahan's blog

Echols served in the Senate from 1967 to 1976. He ran for governor in 1974, but lost to another senator, Jerry Apodaca, who went on to be elected governor.

Following his tenure in the Senate, Echols went on to become a lobbyist. During those years he was known for throwing large expensive parties -- in 1999 The New Mexican described that year's $40,0000 Echols shindig at Sweeney Center as "a musical and culinary extravaganza."

Some of his parties featured entertainers like the Kingston Trio, the Four Freshman and Johnny Wiessmuller, best known for playing Tarzan in the movies.

Echols had some show biz connections. He and his father, Odis "Pops" Echols were involved in radio and concert promotion in the Clovis area. The elder Echols helped found the influential Louisiana Hayride country music radio program and co-wrote the song "Sugartime." Here's a story from the Clovis News Journal about this side of the late senator.

I didn't know Echols well. Sometimes during his later years as a lobbyist we'd chat about music and radio.

But I remember the first time I became aware of him. I was at a Kris Kristofferson concert in Albuquerque in the spring of 1974. Apparently Echols had been backstage. At one point between songs in the show, Kristofferson came out and endorsed Echols for governor.

"After all this Watergate stuff, if you don't vote Democratic or liberal, you can drink my bathwater," Kristofferson said. (I never saw that on any campaign ads though.)

So long, Odis. This song's for you.

ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: Final Report on Lobbyist Reports

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican 
March 31, 2013

One of the things I do during a legislative session is write about all the money lobbyists spend for food, drinks, parties and presents for our citizen legislators.

As I’ve said before, I believe it’s the people’s right to know who’s buying the drinks for their elected representatives.

By law, lobbyists are required to report expenditures larger than $500 within 48 hours of the spending. Because of that $500 minimum figure, some social events for lawmakers don’t have to be reported. For instance, if several lobbyists split the tab and each one’s share comes out to less than $500, no public report is required.

Here’s a look at the most recent lobbyist expense reports filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.

The biggest single event in the final weeks of the session was the 100th Bill Party, which, officially, is hosted by the sponsors of the 100th bill introduced in the House and Senate, but in fact is paid for by various lobbyists. Legislators, staff and guests are invited.

Lobbyists who reported contributing to the shindig, held at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on March 7, were Michael Miller — a lobbyist for several clients, including the city of Portales, Roosevelt County, Covenant Health System and Permian Basin Petroleum Association — who contributed $2,500; Anthony “T.J.” Trujillo, who gave $2,500 on behalf of his client, Biotechnology Industry Organization; and Josh Rosen, a lobbyist for Albuquerque Studios, who contributed $1,000 to the party.

On March 9, the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise held a legislative breakfast at Hotel Santa Fe for lawmakers and staff, costing the group $2,702.54. The breakfast was held one day after Gov. Susana Martinez announced that her office had reached an agreement with the Navajo Nation to amend the tribe’s gaming compact to allow five instead of the current two casinos and would have allowed the Navajos to collect a bigger share of their casino revenue. But even a nice breakfast couldn’t get the new compact approved in the final days of the session.

Lobbyist Larry Horan, on behalf of the city of Las Cruces, paid $2,500 for a catered lunch at the Capitol for House and Senate members and their staff.

On March 4, Floyd Archuleta, lobbyist for Portage Inc., an environmental engineering firm, paid $2,314 for dinner at the Rio Chama Steakhouse for lawmakers and the governor’s staff.

Sandy Buffett of Conservation Voters New Mexico reported spending $434 for dinner at The Compound on March 2 for Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, and environmental advocates.

Going through the lobbyist reports last week, I spotted a couple of earlier events that I’d apparently missed when looking at the reports.

For instance, Jerry Walker of the Independent Community Bankers Association of New Mexico spent $2,290 for dinner for the House Judiciary Committee at Osteria D’assisi on Feb. 18. (As reported earlier, Walker also paid for dinner for the Senate Judiciary Committee at Rancho Encantado in January.)

Also, Ray Baca, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Building & Construction Trades Council, spent $612 for breakfast at Hotel St. Francis for House leaders on Feb. 21.

Besides having to report on wining and dining legislators during the session, lobbyists also have to report money spent on public relations and advertising campaigns. The latest batch of reports includes one from the Center for Civic Policy, which on March 4 spent $14,839 for radio ads trying to win support for House Bill 286, sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey.

The bill, which ultimately didn’t pass, would have updated penalties — which haven’t changed in 78 years — for polluting water by the oil and gas industry. The organization previously spent $5,712 on mailers promoting the bill.

Previous stories on lobbyist expense reports for the 2013 session can be found HERE, HERE, HERE  and HERE.