NM GOP
RELEASE: NM House Republicans Release Centennial Plan, Apparently Don't Plan Jobs Focus for Next Century
24 January 2012
Grandiose House Republican Centennial Plan Falls Flat On Jobs
Nothing more than wedge issues and failed policies
Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
January 24, 2012 505-934-5681
Albuquerque, NM - Today House Republicans announced their "Centennial Plan" for New Mexicans. But somehow they managed to almost completely overlooked what we think is the number one issue for all New Mexicans today and, presumably, well into the future: JOBS.
The following is a statement from DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester on the House Republicans grandiose plan for the next 100 years:
"This is just a repackaging of the same old tired ideas that New Mexicans have been rejecting for years. No one is fooled by more of the same, and no one is looking forward to 100 more years of a GOP establishment that is more focused on politics and wedge issues than policy and progress.
And to barely even mention jobs, particularly in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, is more than just bad policy. It's shockingly bad political strategy.
What the House Republicans presented today is nothing more than a partisan laundry list of policies that have failed on both a national and a local level. They aren't even giving their usual lip service to job creation, and according to their own document they don't even plan on getting started until 2013. New Mexicans need action now.
By comparison, yesterday Senate Democrats presented an 11-point H.I.R.E. Comprehensive Jobs Package that will address every sector of New Mexico's economy, and within the next few days the House Democrats will be introducing a comprehensive legislative agenda. Democrats in both houses of the Legislature are focused on the priorities of the people of New Mexico. "
###
RELEASE: Gov. Martinez and NM GOP could learn a few things from Sen. Garcia
30 August 2011
Gov Martinez and NM GOP could learn a few things from Sen Garcia For Immediate Release: Contact:Scott Forrester August 29, 2011 505-934-5681 Albuquerque, N M –Susana Martinez’s lap dog Bryan Watkins once again demonstrated the politics of personal and political attacks with any individual who disagree's with the Governor. Senator Mary Jane Garcia couragesly pointed out to all New Mexicans yesterday at the Governor’s press conference that she had a change of heart and was listening to her constituents who voted her into office. Senator Garcia also pointed out the long and arduous agenda that the Governor has set for the special session is not the right place for education reform. The following is a statement from Scott Forrester, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of NM: “Instead of focusing on the task at hand, which is redistricting, Susana Martinez and her attack dogs are interested in one thing, their divisive political agenda and how they can get re-elected," said Scott Forrester of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. It is a shame that Susana and Watkins don’t take a page from Senator Garica and listening to the real concerns of New Mexicans.” Senator Garcia is not the only one who agrees that the only focus of the special session should be redistricting, check out the opinion piece from the Las Cruces Sun News:http://www.nmdemocrats.org/content/icymi-our-view-redistricting-tough-enough-lawmakers “While we agree with many of the proposals Martinez is considering, we expect that the special session will be divisive, contentious and difficult enough with just the single issue of redistricting. Anything that distracts from that process is probably a mistake.” ####
ICYMI: "Softie Susana" and Her Partisan, Divisive Agenda
4 August 2011
from Joe Monahan
In Case You Missed It…Washington insiders and Susana's political spinsters are trying their hardest to paint a rosy picture of the Gov’s first term. But we know better, and so do local NM reporters Joe Monahan and Steve Terrell, who set the record straight on Susana's true agenda: divisive, unfiltered partisanship... This one speaks for itself, and you can see his blog below: "Softie Susana?" Political reporter Steve Terrell wonders how the national press can do a long piece on the "softer touch" of Governor Martinez and not once mention that one of Martinez's premier public issues has been repealing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. That debate has been nasty, divisive and anything but "soft." There was also no mention of the round-up of 10,000 randomly selected immigrants to prove that they still live in the state. That's pretty good work by Susana's spin machine on two veteran national reporters. Martinez is polling at 52% approval. Not bad in comparison to other GOP Governors who have gone overboard with hard-right rhetoric and programs. But Martinez preserved her polling honeymoon because of what she did not do, not because of what she has done. This paragraph of praise from reporters Ben Smith and Byron Tau just plain befuddles: And as far as winning a "crucial legislative fight," well, it didn't happen. There was no fight. In fact, outside of the frenzy over driver's licenses which Martinez lost, the session was dismissed by political analysts on both sides of the aisle as one of the most uneventful in decades. The Susana spin doctors may have the presiders of the Potomac in their pocket, but in the Alligator infested waters around here, you gotta play some hands to win. Bluffing doesn't count. NEVADA PUSH BACK Nevada GOP Governor Brian Sandoval was also given a fuzzy bear hug in that same national write-up, but like here it was met with push back. With lines like this, no wonder: Sandoval and Martinez have fought to keep their heads down and the ideological stakes low. In a nation clamoring for compromise and political civility, theirs is a model to watch. A model to watch? Hello, Washington? Martinez activated her political arm only days after taking office to launch robocall atacks into the districts of legislators who fought her on illegal driver's licenses. She used it as a wedge issue because, as she never tires of saying, a poll shows 72% of the public in favor of the repeal. The attacks during a session were quite unprecedented and led not to compromise and civility but rancor and legislative failure. Well, guess you had to be here. And that's why we do what we do. DATELINE CLOVIS Speaking of those driver's licenses for illegals, Susana was pounding it again in Clovis this week: Martinez spent Wednesday in Clovis, meeting with leaders at Cannon Air Force Base and area communities and to address her push to change the state’s driver’s license law. The governor spoke to about 70 people in a press conference at the Clovis Civic Center about the issue. Dems point out that Martinez could have advanced a bill in the last session of the Legislature that severely restricted the licenses and given her much of what else she wanted, but she wants the whole enchilada or nothing--a complete repeal and a complete political victory. She will try again in the special redistricting session that insiders expect to be called for Sept. 6. Will she prevail this time? The Guv thinks the overwhelming public support for repeal will eventually wear out the Dems, but it could also wear out the public if the redistricting session degenerates into another divisive spectacle at a cost of $50,000 a day. Why doesn't the Governor simply wait until the 30 day session of the Legislature in January and try again there? Is the matter really that urgent or are we trying to make political hay here? You don't need a Ph.D in poly sci to figure that one out... So what about the other stuff Susana is planning on adding to the special session agenda? Can't all of it wait until January? We'd say yes--with one exception. The $150 million capital outlay bill that will kick-start construction jobs is needed now. Martinez will find bipartisan support for the measure which was delayed in the last session. If Martinez stuck to redistricting and the capital outlay bill for the special session, it would spotlight that "softer touch" she was described as having, but this is a Governor who enjoys a good fight. That's what she liked as a district attorney and that's what she still likes. And that's what we're going to get come September. In other words, don't look for the nickname "Softie Susana" to pop up anytime soon.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Guv's New Nickname: "Softie Susana?"
...Soon after her election, she made a point of building relationships with the Democrats who controlled the Legislature in a series of private meetings and outreach sessions...Martinez won her crucial legislative fight, a budget with no new taxes.
What Democrats were those? Surely not the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate president Pro Tem, the House Speaker or the House Majority Leader who barely know her and rarely meet with her. The last we looked they were among those who "controlled" the Legislature.
“New Mexico has become a magnet for people seeking valid U.S. IDs and for people who traffic humans,” she said during the press conference.
NM GOP says "Leaders Lead."
2 August 2011
Really?
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester August 2, 2011 505 -934-5681 Albuquerque, NM - Last week, the NM GOP launched an e-mail newsletter under the banner "Leaders Lead." We're used to seeing a healthy dose of hypocrisy from our friends across the aisle, but this really takes the cake. Let's take a moment to review just what type of leadership we're getting from Republicans in New Mexico: Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has gone 213 days since she was sworn in, and we have yet to see a single proposal for job creation. After the Department of Labor released dismal numbers on our continued job loss (more than 4,000 fewer jobs from May to June, including 1,500 construction jobs), she even had the audacity to send her Party Chairman to spin us that New Mexico's economy is booming! Republican SOS Dianna Duran is in hot water for accusing 64,000 New Mexicans of voter fraud. First came the big announcement that she'd uncovered the massive voter fraud that Republicans have been shouting about (and failing to prove) for years. Later, she tried to walk that back, claiming - in direct conflict with her own public statements - she never accused anyone of breaking the law! But when she refused to release the records to public scrutiny we realized the only thing she uncovered was her own political motives. Not exactly a "Profile in Courage." Republican Mayor RJ Berry has just gone into hiding, dodging the media and the constituents to whom he is supposed to be accountable. Why? Because instead of fighting for the people of Albuquerque he's been fighting to protect his ethically challenged political crony Darren White, who arrived on the scene of his wife's accident - where news reports have revealed she was driving under the influence - and after intimidating the investigating officers he took her from the scene. RJ had his chance to step up and show real leadership, and instead he was nowhere to be found. And he's not the only one dodging the tough questions that true leaders have to answer: When Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson was asked by KRQE where she stands on the debt ceiling, they got no answers, saying "former Congresswoman Heather Wilson didn't want any part of our story." (Senate candidates react to debt impasse) Republican Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, also refused to tell the people of New Mexico where he stands - which came as a surprise to no one. According to KRQE, "A spokesman for Lt. Gov. John Sanchez said he'd send us a statement. He never did." (Senate candidates react to debt impasse) So much for "Leaders Leading..." It is truly incredible - not to mention a slap in the face - that a candidate asking to be our voice in Washington on major issues would refuse to tell us how they would handle those very issues, but it's happening every day with Republicans in New Mexico. If that's their definition of leadership, they can keep it. You can see the full email from the GOP below. ### Dear Friend, Good day to you from the Republican Party of New Mexico. I want to start off this note by thanking Congressman Steve Pearce for his support of the Cut, Cap and Balance legislation that passed the US House this week. Please consider writing a letter to the editor thanking the Congressman for his leadership or contact the Congressman via facebook,twitter, or email for his support of a plan to return our country to fiscal sanity. Here at RPNM we are making cosmetic changes to improve our online communications and outreach. I wanted to take a minute and make you aware of what we are working on. First, we have started the weekly e-update – which you are reading now -- and so far the feedback has been very positive. In response to your requests for more engagement online we have updated the format of our newsletter to include additional social media tools and other means of digital correspondence. Please let us know what you think of the changes. Upcoming Event: Best regards, Monty Newman
Leaders Lead
RPNM E-Update
Week of July 24th, 2011
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has become fond of the phrase “leaders lead” and Representative Pearce is part of that group of House Republicans that has, of late, given that phrase meaning. The House GOP is the only group to pass a plan that will cut spending while continuing to fund the commitments America has already made.
While Democrats in the Senate and President Obama sit on their hands and present nothing, Republican leaders are leading. I encourage you to show your support of Congressman Pearce commitment to take the bull by the horns and work to solve America’s spending problem.
As you will find on the right of this email – we have a presence onfacebook, twitter, tumblr (blog), and youtube. We hope you will fan, friend or follow us on the online tools you use so we can provide you the latest news and updates.
Today, Sunday July 24th, the Bernalillo GOP is sponsoring a picnic to meet prospective candidates and current legislators. The event is to be held at Onate Park (On Chelwood two blocks south of Menaul) from 2 pm to 4 pm. Free hot dogs, refreshments and activities for kids of all ages. Hope you can drop by this afternoon!
Headlines Of The Week:
Below are a few articles from the past week that I don’t want you to miss.
I leave you with this thought, as reported by ABC’s The Note this week:“We have a battle on our hands,” a top New Mexico Democrat said. “We have a new Republican, Hispanic governor [Susanna Martinez] who’s going to spend as much as she can to make sure Obama can’t get re-elected.”
We are working tirelessly to win this battleground state and we are making an all hands on deck push to turn New Mexico red in 2012. Join us in the fight for a better future for our state and our families. Please considercontributing today to allow RPNM to have the resources to support candidates who understand free enterprise, fight for economic growth and demand that government like within its means just as New Mexico families do.
Chairman, Republican Party of New Mexico
Voter ID Talk Just a Cynical Effort by GOP To Limit Votes
29 June 2011
By Lisa A. Chavez / Chairwoman, Democratic Party of Valencia County
Voter ID Talk Just a Cynical Effort by GOP To Limit Votes By Lisa A. Chavez / Chairwoman, Democratic Party of Valencia County on Wed, Jun 29, 2011 ABQ Journal Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran and New Mexico Republicans have trotted out New Mexico GOP Executive Director Bryan Watkins as the most recent talking head to champion their effort to sell New Mexicans the bill of goods that our state is being overrun with systematic voter fraud. In Watkins’ op-ed, he argues that we should spend millions of taxpayer dollars adopting a policy that will diminish Hispanics’, senior citizens’, Native Americans’ and African-Americans’ rights to vote. But to support his case he is able to cite only two – just two – cases of voter fraud in New Mexico. (One of which was actually a voter registration case, 20 years ago, that involved zero actual votes.) Nevertheless, for argument’s sake, let’s say both hold water as actual cases of voter fraud in New Mexico. Since 1992, more than 5.3 million ballots have been cast in New Mexico. Factor in the two cases that the New Mexico GOP is building its entire argument on, and that comes out to an alleged fraud rate of .000000037 percent of ballots cast. And they had to go back 20 years just to get the percentage up that high! And considering that in both cases the perpetrators were caught, it would seem to me that the facts of Watkins’ argument go to show that election law in New Mexico is already pretty good. Not much to hang your hat on there. This is a partisan attempt to intimidate voters and a massive waste of taxpayer dollars, and Duran’s inclusion of State Police in the probe is a cynical attempt to hide a nasty political tactic behind a curtain of public safety and up the ante on voter intimidation. The real issue here is that both nationally and locally, the GOP knows that they have to stop intimidated and disenfranchised groups from voting if they want to stand a chance in the 2012 elections. It’s that simple. It should come as no surprise that the groups who are most likely to not have the proper ID required for voting – seniors, African-Americans, Native Americans and Latinos – are by and large traditional Democratic constituencies. Voter suppression is a tool long used by Republicans to keep the poor, minorities and the elderly away from the polls on Election Day. Instead of encouraging wider participation – the lifeblood of any democracy – and making New Mexicans feel comfortable about voting, Republicans are trying to exclude eligible voters and fool the average New Mexican into believing that our democracy is anything but free and fair. Everyday New Mexicans are struggling. The state budget is ballooning and unemployment is way too high. But instead of proposing solutions, our governor, secretary of state and New Mexico Republicans have decided to focus on their own political future. They’re trying to pull a fast one with talk of voter fraud and restrictive voter ID laws, and they’re using your money to do it. Here’s a simple question to ask in these tough economic times: Is spending millions on a voter ID Law and fraud cases that go nowhere really a good use of your tax dollars?
ICYMI: Republican Leader Criticizes Gov.'s Line-Item Vetoes
10 May 2011
Gov.'s Line-Item Vetoes Criticized
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
By Dan Boyd
Journal Capitol Bureau
SANTA FE — More New Mexico lawmakers, including the Senate's top Republican, are criticizing Gov. Susana Martinez's use of line-item vetoes, although so far there has been no formal challenge.
Questions were first raised last month about whether Martinez overstepped her constitutional authority when she used line-item vetoes to change dollar amounts in the state budget and strike part of an unemployment fund solvency bill.
The line-item vetoes were among the bill actions by the first-term Republican governor after the 60-day session of the state Legislature that ended March 19.
Democratic lawmakers have discussed a court challenge targeting Martinez's vetoes. Members of the Legislative Council criticized the vetoes Monday but stopped short of acting to challenge them.
Legislative leaders think an individual member of the Legislature might end up taking the vetoes to court.
Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, after the Monday meeting of the Legislative Council, said he will ask legislative researchers to report on constitutional guidelines for line-item veto powers.
"I really am trying to gather enough information to understand whether she's violating constitutional principles," McSorley said.
McSorley said he was disappointed that the Legislative Council, which includes top-ranking lawmakers from both political parties, didn't make a unified request for the report.
However, Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, and House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, both said Monday they're also troubled by the line-item vetoes.
"You're setting a very dangerous precedent here when the (dollar) amounts are changed," Ingle said.
Specifically in question is Martinez's authority to lower, but not fully eliminate, an appropriation in the $5.4 billion budget approved by the Legislature.
In her April 8 bill action, Martinez struck out a single numeral in an appropriation for oversight of the state's regional housing authorities, lowering the funding level from $150,000 to $50,000.
In all, Martinez enacted more than 50 line-item vetoes in the budget bill. She vetoed in their entirety 98 bills that lawmakers passed during the 60-day session.
Martinez has said the vetoes were thoroughly researched by her staff and she's confident they'll be upheld.
When asked two weeks ago about her use of the veto pen, Martinez told reporters, "I feel good about it — that's why I did it."
Ingle and other legislative leaders say they don't recall a governor using line-item vetoes to change dollar amounts in an appropriation bill.
Read more: ABQJOURNAL NEWS/STATE: Gov.'s Line-Item Vetoes Criticized http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/10232503756newsstate05-10-11.htm#ix...