The Lobbyist Reports

The Santa Fe New Mexican this morning published my first report of the session on lobbyist expense reports.You can find that HERE.

By law lobbyists have to report any expenditure more than $500 within 48 hours. I try to note them all, updating about once a week.

The biggest report this time was the $27,750 for ski passes from Ski New Mexico, an industry organization made up of most the ski areas in the state. The group gives these to lawmakers every year.


One representative however wrote me this morning to say he didn't accept this gift.

"Like last year Steve, I did not take the ski passes," wrote Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces "Nor do I take anything form lobbyists. I have attended a reception or two (like the NEA one you mentioned) but took nothing."

I couldn't find the clip, but I do recall McCamley telling me last year that he didn't take the ski pass or other goodies from lobbyists.

I've been reporting on the "48-hour" reports for years, and sometimes I've been criticized for doing it. A couple of years ago a senator even  implied that The New Mexican doesn't like the idea of restaurants, bars and hotels making money from parties, lunches and dinners for legislators because we always run stories about these reports.

Not true. It's just that we believe the public has the right to know who is picking up the tab for our decision makers. So don't expect me to stop doing this.

So Much Action in the Roundhouse .... zzzzzzzz

OK, in the last few days we've heard some music, a short comedy performance and lots and lots of memorials being discussed here at the Roundhouse.

Libraries, they're really cool ... Albuquerque's west side is a good place to be ... Whereas, whereas, whereas ...

Actually the most excitement today happened just a couple of minutes ago when House Speaker Kenny Martinez got booed (good-naturedly) after suggesting (jokingly) that the House meet this Sunday afternoon. (That's Super Bowl Sunday in case anyone doesn't know.)

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but I heard some speculation from a Roundhouse regular that made me wonder. Could it be that things are moving slow on purpose, to stall until Rep. Ernest Chavez, D-Albuquerque and/or Rep. Phillip Archuleta get well enough to make it to the session?

Probably far-fetched. After all, last year during the 60-day session, a lot of us were complaining that nothing happened in the whole session until an hour or so before the end.

So until then, here's to libraries and here's to the West Side ...

(Things might perk up next week if the Rules Committee holds that racetrack hearing. My story on that is HERE)

On the Julia Show at 9

I'll be on Julia Goldberg's Morning Show at 9 am.

I'll be talking about (you guessed it) the Legislature.

According to her site, Julia is "brash, informed, honest, funny and opinionated."

Uh oh ...

That's KVSF, 101.5 FM on your radio dial,

Steinborn Wants To Archive Webcasts

Rep. Steinborn

Ever want to watch the Legislature in action, but something like, say, work, interferes with your schedule and you can't do it?

State Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, plans to introduce a rule change that would require the Legislative Council Service to save all the webcasts so folks out in Cyberland can watch at their convenience.

Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, will co-sponsor the move.

“It’s vitally important that the citizens of the state be provided the opportunity to watch our legislative process in action and learn about critical policy issues being discussed” Steinborn said in a news release.  “Technology easily allows us the ability to broadcast and archive these meetings, so folks can watch them at times that fit their schedule.”

The decision not to archive came in the early days of webcasting when the old lions of the Legislature decided that saving the videos could result in political "mischief," such as making campaign ads showing lawmakers sleeping, goofing off or casting controversial votes.

Steinborn also said he will introduce another measure that would require the Legislative Council Service to webcast all interim committee hearings. "During this last summer, there was increased public interest in following interim committee legislative hearings related to Governor Martinez’ shake up of the state’s mental health system," the news release said.

Co-sponsoring this will be Senate President Pro-tem Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces.

UPDATE 1-28-14 10:23 am: Some Republican friends on Twitter gently reminded me that Gov. Martinez archives floor sessions and some committee hearings HERE. She doesn't have to though. The Steinborn-Harper measure would require it.

ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: Will Fireworks Bill Set the Woods on Fire in This Year's Legislature?

One type of bill that’s almost guaranteed to be a dud (caution, bad pun setup) in the New Mexico Legislature is legislation restricting fireworks.

For instance, remember back in the hot dry summer of 2011, when the Las Conchas Fire was raging near Los Alamos, and Gov. Susana Martinez called for a bill that would give the governor the legal authority to impose a ban on all fireworks in the state? She got a bipartisan team of legislators to push such a bill, but it went down in flames (sorry, I can’t help myself).

With what some believe could be another hot, dry summer ripe for forest fires in store, Martinez again is calling for a fireworks bill. She sent a message to the Senate last week that allows the Legislature to consider it in the current 30-day “budget session.” The message applies to Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, who helped derail the 2012 fireworks bill.

To read the rest, see The New Mexican's website, HERE

Martinez Ally Running For AG

Susan Riedel, who worked under Gov. Susana Martinez when she was the district attorney in Las Cruces, announced this morning that she's seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general.

 “New Mexico deserves a strong prosecutor as attorney general,” Riedel said in a news release.  “I will stand up and fight against those who would prey on the weak and try to take advantage of the public.  I will enforce the laws of New Mexico to ensure that dangerous criminals are put behind bars."

Much of that time, Riedel worked in Martinez's DA office, she was chief deputy district attorney. After Martinez became governor, she appointed Riedel to a vacant judge's post in Doña Ana County. However, Riedel was defeated in 2012 when she ran for the judgeship.

Her cases include the “Baby Brianna” child-abuse/murder case and the conviction of Jesse Avalos for the murder of New Mexico State University freshman Carly Martinez.

Last year the governor appointed her old deputy to the state Public Defender Commission, a fact that  Riedel doesn't include in the biography that accompanied her announcement.

At the time of her appointment the state Criminal Defense Lawyers Association called the choice of Riedel   "slap in the face" to defendants who can't afford private lawyers, as well as to people who voted for an independent public defender's office. Her appointment also was opposed by some Democratic lawmakers including House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Gail Chasey and  House Majority Whip Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, both D-Albuquerque.

Riedel briefly was chairwoman of the Dona Ana County Republican Party last year, which she served after the previous chairman David Clements resigned to run for U.S. Senate.

Riedel faces political newcomer Jim Baiamonte, an Albuquerque Republican, in the GOP primary. State Auditor Hector Balderas is the only Democrat who has announced for the job.

Many though that Clovis District Attorney Matt Chandler, who was the GOP nominee for AG in 2010, would run again. However, this week Chandler announced he would resign from his job on March 1 to go into private practice.

Riedel's campaign website is HERE

Archuleta Will Be "Fully Engaged" But Won't Be at Session

The House Democrats just issued a statement saying that Rep. Phillip Archuleta, D-Las Cruces, won't be able to travel to Santa Fe for the Legislature, but he'll be able to follow the session on his laptop.

However, I don't think Archuleta, who is recovering from hip surgery, be able to vote by laptop.

As I reported today, Archuleta is one of two House Democrats who might be sidelined because of health issues. The other is Rep. Ernest Chavez, D-Albuquerque.

If both Archuleta and Chavez are absent, the political makeup in the House would be  35 Democrats, 33 Republicans. And, as I said in the paper, "That is uncomfortable for Democrats considering that Rep. Sandra Jeff, D-Crownpoint, and Rep. Donna Irwin, D-Deming, have been known to break with their party on several issues ..."

Here's the statement from House Dems:

SANTA FE, NM – Representative Phillip Archuleta (D-36, Doña Ana) will be fully engaged in the 2014 Legislative Session and plans to address the issues important to the citizens of Doña Ana County even as he recovers from major surgery.  Rep. Archuleta says he has already been involved in the introduction of legislation and requests of capital outlay on behalf of his constituents.  He has a laptop computer and will monitor the session online.  Rep. Archuleta will receive daily reports from the House staff and his legislative secretary.  He looks forward to hearing from his constituents by email at phillip.archuleta@nmlegis.gov . 

“Rep. Archuleta is determined to be a part of the process and to make sure his constituents have a voice,” says Speaker of the House, W. Ken Martinez.  “We wish him a speedy recovery and will keep him and his family in our good thoughts and prayers.” 

Rep. Archuleta is recovering after major hip surgery due to a fall he took while attending an interim committee meeting.  While he will not be able to travel to Santa Fe, his family will be representing him on Opening Day.  Rep. Archuleta looks forward to a complete recovery so he can continue working on behalf of the good people of Doña Ana County.