FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Scott Forrester

April 13, 2011 505-934-5681

Martinez wrongly dismantled state labor board, court rules.

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The following is a statement from Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales upon the news today that Governor Martinez's firing of Public Employee Labor Relations Board members was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court.

"In barely more than 100 days in office Susana Martinez has yet again lost in the state supreme court for overstepping her authority," said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales. "First she was caught making a back-room deal with lobbyists to weaken clean-water protections, now she has been soundly rebuked for attempting to take away employees' rights by dismantling the board assigned to hear worker complaints. Clearly Governor Martinez has a troubling agenda and it appears she is willing to run afoul of state law to do it."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Scott Forrester

April 3, 2011                                                                                  505-934-5681

Albuquerque, NM  - The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales on today's announcement of Dan Lewis who is running for New Mexico's first district: 

"This is more of the same from yet another out of touch Republican who has decided to run for Congress.  Instead of focusing on New Mexico's working families Dan Lewis has decided to openly support the same failed economic policies that led to the historic recession that has put so many thousands of New Mexicans out of work.  Blindly cutting common-sense safeguards meant to keep Wall Street in line without pausing to consider the consequences is what caused the great recession and cost us millions of jobs.  

Dan Lewis used the same old tired Republican rhetoric, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised when I hear him supporting failed economic policies as I did today. "

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Scott Forrester

March 29, 2011 505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales yesterday sent a letter to Governor Susana Martinez asking her to reconsider her nomination of Darren White to the Judicial Standards Commission.

The following is the letter in its entirety:

March 28, 2011

The Honorable Susana Martinez
Governor of New Mexico
Office of the Governor
490 Old Santa Fe Trail
Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Dear Governor Martinez,

I understand and respect the executive power of the governor to make appointments. But with this power comes great responsibility.

I am not talking about a responsibility to ensure ideological balance, though I would hope that would be one of your aims when making appointments. What I am talking about is a responsibility to ensure that your appointments are not so severely ethically compromised that they -- by their mere connection to a commission or department -- raise serious questions about the validity of any decisions coming out of that commission or department.

Specifically, I am talking about the recent appointment of Darren White to the Judicial Standards Commission.

I do not oppose White because I think he's conservative. I oppose him because too many serious questions have been raised about his dealings while holding public office or while in publicly appointed positions. From securing a lucrative contract for a campaign donor to his questionable practice of seizing money and property from people who have not been charged with a crime, to the overwhelming no-confidence vote levied against him by rank-and-file members of the Albuquerque Police Department, White's track record has raised much more doubt than it has inspired confidence.

It is for these issues that I respectfully urge you to withdraw your nomination of White for the Judicial Standards Commission.

The Judicial Standards Commission is one of those rare institutions in government where lay people and experts come together and do the hard work of judging our judges. And because White's judgment has been so suspect, it is increasingly important to the public's faith in the Judicial Standards Commission that he not be allowed to serve. It would be abhorrent to think of a commissioner having a vendetta against a judge who ruled against him. But that is potentially the conflict the White appointment presents considering how his property-seizure policy was recently found to be illegal by a judge who he would oversee were he to become a commissioner.

I'm no lawyer, but that seems like a terrible way to oversee judges.

As someone who campaigned on ethics, I would hope you could clearly see the pitfalls of moving forward with a Darren White appointment to the Judicial Standards Commission and reconsider.

Regards,

Javier M. Gonzales
Chairman, Democratic Party of New Mexico

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For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester

March 17, 2011 505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- It's been just a little more than two months in office for Susana Martinez, and she has already potentially run afoul of the state constitution for the second time.

At issue this time is Martinez's refusal to appoint a new State Labor Board, which hears and adjudicates most state employee grievances. Not having a sitting State Labor Board in place to hear grievances is a violation of state law and potentially a violation of the state constitution.*

The New Mexico Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and individuals unions this week filed a writ with the Supreme Court about this issue asking the court to force Martinez to constitute the board.

"For someone elected as a law and order governor, Martinez sure has trouble following the laws governing our state," said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales. "The Labor Board is in place for a reason -- it guarantees that state employees have a fair and predictable hearing process for grievances and disciplinary actions. Martinez can't just refuse to convene it. Apparently, Susana Martinez in proving that she's trying chip away at the rights of workers like Wisconsin's Scott Walker -- she's just doing it in a much more sneaky and insidious way."

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*[50-1-1 to 50-1-9 NMSA 1978] Labor and Industrial Commission

For Immediate Release                 Contact: Scott Forrester

March 9, 2011                                            505-934-681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The New Mexico Senate spent several hours last night debating immigrant driver's licenses -- spending yet more time of this dwindling legislative session on a wedge issue that has nothing to do with the most pressing issue New Mexicans want their Governor to address -- jobs.

"Susana Martinez is hell-bent on scoring political points at the expense of focusing on what matters -- economic security and jobs for New Mexicans," said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales. "With just days left in the session this Governor has shown no leadership and apparently no passion for creating jobs or investing in New Mexico's workforce. Considering our state's high unemployment rate, this is an example of her lack of commitment to bread and butter economic issues."

A Senate compromise on the driver's license bill, HB78, passed the Senate by a vote of 25-16. Democrats worked on a thoughtful compromise bill and it passed the Senate despite Gov. Martinez's heated and divisive rhetoric.

"But after all the wrangling and time spent on an issue that has no bearing on jobs for New Mexicans it is still unclear whether Martinez will even sign the compromise," Gonzales added. "That's because she doesn't understand that governing is not my way or the highway, it's compromise and trying to work with those you disagree with. Unfortunately for New Mexicans, it seems Martinez is going to govern by taking a page from the Scott Walker playbook."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Scott Forrester

March 2, 2011                                                                                                505-934-5681

Clear Contrast: While Democrats Fight for Jobs, Working Families and Protecting Homeowners, Martinez Continues to Play Political Games

(SANTA FE) -- This past week, while Democrats fight for film jobs here, keeping teachers in classrooms, and homeowners facing foreclosure, Susana Martinez focused her energy and her campaign funds on producing radio ads against Democrats who had the audacity to disagree with her policy proposals.

Now, both the Attorney General and Secretary of State are investigating whether Martinez's political expenditures were legal.

"Clearly, when it comes to focusing on what's important it's the Democrats that are concerned with the economic security of New Mexicans," said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester, referring to Sen. Michael Sanchez's bill to help homeowners facing foreclosure. "New Mexicans want their leaders to work together to get something done for struggling families, but what they're getting from Martinez is a non-stop divisive political campaign."

Just a little more than two months into her term as governor and Martinez has so far been rebuked by the State Supreme Court for cutting a back-room deal with powerful lobbyists, seen her climate-change denying energy secretary nominee go down in flames and now is being investigated by both the AG and Secretary of State for the potentially improper use of campaign funds.

"Thank goodness Democrats in the Legislature are actually working on solutions to our state's problems." Forrester said. "Someone should send a memo to the governor informing her that the time for juvenile political games is over."

Below is a rundown of recent coverage of Martinez's political games.

Is Martinez lobbying or campaigning? – by Heath Haussamen, nmpolitics.net, http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2011/03/is-martinez-lobbying-or-campaigning/

Martinez Must Respond To Complaint Over Ad Funding – by Sean Olson, ABQ Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr/022132420357newsxgr03-02-11.htm#ixzz1FStqnbbZ

SOS Duran Launches Investigation of Gov. Martinez's Radio Ads – by Steve Terrell, Roundhouse Roundup, http://roundhouseroundup.blogspot.com/2011/03/sos-duran-launches-investigation-of-gov.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Scott Forrester

March 2, 2011                                                                                                505-934-5681

Gov. Martinez's Assault on Film Industry -- and the 12,000 Jobs it has Created -- Continues

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- While most New Mexicans agree that attracting and promoting good jobs and bringing new industries to the state should be the top priority of our leaders, Governor Martinez apparently doesn't see it that way.

Martinez this week continued her war on the film industry in New Mexico, seeking to reduce a film tax credit to a level that would effectively end the industry in our state. 

What does that mean? It means 12,000 jobs gone. It means crushed hopes and dreams for thousands of young people studying at our community colleges for careers in film. 

“Democrats have lead the way in fighting for film jobs.  Under Democratic leadership and support, the film industry has become a beacon of light and given New Mexicans opportunity in a troubled economy,” said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester.  

"Apparently Gov. Martinez didn't get the memo that part of her job is to promote good jobs and bring in new industries, not kill them," said Scott Forrester. "Martinez's harsh rhetoric and dangerous proposals have sent an ugly message to the film industry and to the thousands of New Mexicans who earn their living making movies and TV shows. I guess the larger message might be that innovative clean industries of the future need not consider New Mexico -- we'll be closed for business as long as Martinez has the reins.”

Below is a rundown of recent coverage of Martinez's assault on the film industry and a Youtube video on her film flip-flop.

Film Projects Back Out Of NM Amid Uncertainty – KOAT, http://www.koat.com/news/27052364/detail.html

How to flame your dragon – by Eric Witt, http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2011/03/how-to-flame-your-dragon/

Film subsidy throws lawmakers for a loop – KOBTV, http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1997205.shtml?cat=500

FILM FLIP-FLOP, CARGO'S DOUBTS - NM Politics with Joe Monahan, http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/2011/03/brooks-stands-firm-against-guv-in.html

Video Outlines Martinez Flip-Flop on Film, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-4VqlcltTE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Scott Forrester
February 9, 2011 505- 934 -5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) – In just the past few weeks alone, Gov. Martinez’s missteps are creating a pattern of ineptitude that has become harder and harder for New Mexicans to ignore.

“From Harrison Schmitt refusing to submit to a basic background check and withdrawing his nomination to the increasing criticism of her handling of a gas crisis that left thousands of people in the cold, New Mexicans are starting to wonder just what kind of leadership they’re getting with this new governor,” said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales.

In addition, Martinez just last week announced an education reform team that included no New Mexicans, but plenty of Bush appointees and No Child Left Behind devotees. And, she has yet to even scratch the surface of New Mexico’s most pressing issue – jobs – and has not put forward one bill supporting job creation or workforce training.

“Tough times and crises are supposed to bring out the best in our leaders,” Gonzales said. “But in these early tests, New Mexicans have to be wondering about our new governor’s judgment and leadership.”

Martinez tally of failure in just the past few weeks:

Harrison Schmitt flame out
Poor handling of gas crisis, which left thousands of New Mexicans in the cold, some for more than a week
No New Mexicans named to her education-reform team
Still not one comprehensive jobs bill proposed by administration
Rebuffed by state Supreme Court for letting industry lobbyists write an order that attempted to halt clean-water protections

“Democrats in the Legislature have their eyes on the ball. Holding hearings to get to the bottom of the gas shortage, proposing job-creation measures and fighting for the 12,000 jobs created by the film industry -- it’s clear Democrats are the ones driving an agenda on the right side of New Mexico’s working families,” Gonzales said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Scott Forrester

February 9, 2011 505- 934 -5681

RELEASE: Not one New Mexican on Martinez education advisory team?

Martinez's Public Education advisory team bereft of New Mexicans; but full of Bush appointees and No Child Left Behind disciples

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- Gov. Susana Martinez and Education Secretary designee Hanna Skandera today announced her Public Education Advisory team -- which includes no New Mexicans and is primarily made up of former Bush appointees and proponents of the failed No Child Left Behind Act.

"This is a slap in the face to New Mexicans who have spent their lives and careers educating our children and working to improve the school system," said Democratic Chairman Javier Gonzales. "To not have one single New Mexican -- be it a parent or someone who has spent time in a New Mexico classroom -- sends a strong message that Gov. Martinez and Secretary Skandera could care less about what New Mexico parents, teachers and children have to say about education."

Below is a list of the appointees and their backgrounds.

"New Mexico parents, teachers and students support, attend and work at our public schools. New Mexicans have a personal commitment to seeing our schools improve. To not have one New Mexican at the leadership table is utterly callous and dismissive of the role ordinary New Mexicans play in improving the schools in their community," Gonzales said. “Everyone agrees that we need to reform New Mexico’s education system and improve outcomes for our students, but not including New Mexicans at the leadership table is just plain wrong.”
Martinez's Public Education Department Advisory team:

* Catherine Freeman, Ph.D., is advising the Department on operational functions and education policy, including management, organizational structure and corresponding budget and legislative issues. Catherine is currently a Senior Associate with HCM Strategists, LLC. Catherine's vast experience in K-12 education, from the local to the federal level, gives her a wide-angle lens on education issues and a strong footing in both policy research and practice. Before joining HCM, Catherine was Chief of Staff to the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. She has served in senior roles at the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Education, where she was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. There she managed the office’s implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, including its accountability and assessment provisions. Catherine earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, a master’s of education from the University of Texas-Austin, and a doctorate in philosophy from Vanderbilt University, where she currently teaches a course in federal policy development and implementation.

* Christy Hovanetz, Ph. D., is advising the Department on a wide range of education reform policy issues, including assessment and accountability initiatives. Christy is currently a Senior Policy Fellow for the Foundation for Excellence in Education. She previously served as the Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education and Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Florida Department of Education. She has worked in education policy for the state of Florida since 1999, serving as the Director of Evaluation and Reporting, Director of Reading First and a Policy Analyst for former Governor Jeb Bush. She graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a minor in mathematics and is a certified teacher in the state of Minnesota. Christy earned her Masters of Public Administration at the University of Minnesota and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration and Policy at The Florida State University.

* Jay Pfeiffer is advising the Department on data quality issues, including measures to upgrade and improve New Mexico’s Student-Teacher Accountability Reporting System (STARS). Jay is currently The Program Director of the State Longitudinal Data Program of MPR Associates, Inc. of Berkeley, California. In this role, he has advised and consulted with the Data Quality Campaign, the Aspen Institute, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Organization, several foundations and states. He received the Data Quality Campaign's only life-time achievement award and is recognized as an expert on the uses of state longitudinal data systems in informing policy and education business applications including planning, designing and implementing data systems, and connecting K12 data, postsecondary education and workforce data. He has more than 30 years of experience in using stat data to support education policy and research. Jay served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education up until 2009. He also co-chaired the National Education Longitudinal Data Committee of the Council of Chief State School Officers and is a member of the Independent Advisory Panel for the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education.

* David Saba is advising the Department on education policy issues relating to teacher effectiveness, certification and licensure. David is the founder of DWSaba Consulting and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE). He is directly responsible for dramatically increasing the teacher recruitment efforts at ABCTE, having grown enrollments by more than 300 percent and has seen the organization recruit over 9,500 potential teachers into its rigorous, self-paced online teaching certification program. Before joining ABCTE, David served as the Mid Atlantic Regional Director for Kaplan Test Prep.

* Jeff Sellers is advising the Department on a wide range of education policy and data quality issues. Jeff has 30 years of experience working for the state of Florida in a variety of Information System capacities including data management, data warehousing, information security, data base administration and data systems. He served most recently as the Deputy Commissioner in the Florida Department of Education. He was the director Florida’s PK20 Education Data Warehouse; a comprehensive data repository of education data spanning prekindergarten through postsecondary graduate level achievements; providing a seamless data link between Florida’s public PK-12, workforce education, community college and university systems. Jeff has served on multiple boards, advisory committees, and taskforces for regional data centers and national organizations on issues of connecting and using data longitudinally across education sectors and with related agency services.

* John Bailey is advising the Department on a wide range of education policy and technology issues. John is currently the Director of Whiteboard Advisors and serves as co-publisher of Education Insider. He most recently served at the White House as part of former President George W. Bush’s Domestic Policy Council, where he was responsible for coordinating education and labor issues. He has also worked on education policy at the state and federal level, as well as with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He was also an ex-officio member of the U.S. Department of Education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education in 2006. From 1995 to 2001, as the nation’s second Director of Educational Technology and Pennsylvania’s first Director of Educational Technology, John spearheaded the development of several initiatives to expand online learning and improve the use of technology and data in education.

* Terrell Halaska is advising the Department on a wide range of education policy and organizational issues. Terrell is a founder of HCM Strategists, LLC. Terrell previously served as the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, where she led the team negotiating reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act and the Higher Education Act. Prior to joining the Department of Education during former President George W. Bush’s Administration, she served in the White House as special assistant to the president for domestic policy, advising the president, domestic policy advisor, and other senior staff.

* Kristy Campbell is advising the Department on communications, legislative and public engagement strategies. Kristy previously served as the Communications Director for former Governor Jeb Bush’s two non-profit education policy organizations, the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a national 501c3 focused on advancing education reform in states across America, and the Foundation for Florida’s Future, a state-based 501c4 education advocacy group. She was also Press Secretary to Governor Bush, serving as his chief spokeswoman and assisting in overseeing the Bush/Jennings Administration’s public messaging and outreach at 18 state agencies, including the Florida Department of Education. Kristy most recently worked as the communications director for a gubernatorial campaign in Florida.

* Chad Colby is advising the Department on education policy, federal compliance and communications issues. Chad is a communications strategist and a veteran of education reform campaigns and implementation. Chad’s experience in education started in the Florida Department of Education at the same time the state adopted Governor Jeb Bush’s “A+ Plan.” The first-of-its-kind plan instituted a school grading system with a strong accountability measures. Later, he joined the U.S. Department of Education where he managed the media affairs office and all events for the Secretary. Chad most recently worked as a communications advisor to a gubernatorial campaign in Florida.

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For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
February 2, 2011 505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The following is a statement from DPNM Secretary and Las Cruces resident Christy French upon learning Gov. Susana Martinez had made the appointments to fill vacancies on the Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. The appointments are Susan M. Riedel and Jacinto Palomino. Ms. Riedel and Mr. Palomino, both Republicans. Riedel has been the chief deputy district attorney in Las Cruces, and Palomino is a deputy district attorney in the office.

"This is a clear case of cronyism and political payback for a loyal soldier. Gov. Martinez talks about changing the way business is done but her actions show she's just another back-room dealer. First she let lawyers and lobbyists try to stop clean-water protections now she gives a long-time friend and recipient of huge tax-payer bonuses a plum judgeship. Typical."

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Background:
Martinez Gave Lavish Wall Street Style Bonuses To Senior Staff

Name Date Amount Title

Susan Riedel 10/7/05 $9,194.43 Chief Deputy District Attorney
Susan Riedel 8/25/06 $10,471.00 Chief Deputy District Attorney
Susan Riedel 7/27/07 $7,290.64 Chief Deputy District Attorney
Susan Riedel 7/25/08 $7,644.84 Chief Deputy District Attorney
Susan Riedel 7/24/09 $7,253.32 Chief Deputy District Attorney

Source:
[Martinez 41, Payroll Records, Administrative Office of District Attorneys, accessed 4/22/10; Martinez 42, Payroll Records, Administrative Office of District Attorneys, accessed 4/22/10; Susana Martinez 6, State Of New Mexico Third Judicial District Attorney Annual Financial Report For The Fiscal Year Ended 6/30/05; Susana Martinez 7, State Of New Mexico Third Judicial District Attorney Annual Financial Report For The Fiscal Year Ended 6/30/05; Susana Martinez 8, State Of New Mexico Third Judicial District Attorney Annual Financial Report For The Fiscal Year Ended 6/30/05; Susana Martinez 9, State Of New Mexico Third Judicial District Attorney Annual Financial Report For The Fiscal Year Ended 6/30/05]

Martinez’s Employee Jacinto Palomino Helped Himself To A Hooters Meal On The Taxpayers Dime. On September 19, 2008, Susana Martinez’s employee, Jacinto Palomino stopped at a Bloomington, Minnesota Hooters for hot wings and tea. The bill was a total of $14.91. [Minnesota Hooters Receipt, 9/19/08]