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

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The following is DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales' statement reacting to a Republican move today to block property tax relief for the elderly poor:

"Apparently Republicans are only interested in tax cuts when they are for the wealthy. To deny impoverished seniors property tax relief is both heartless and completely out of touch. Many of New Mexico's poorest seniors are struggling to stay in their homes and just get by on fixed incomes. Rep. Garcia's bill helps keep people in their homes and maybe gives them just a little extra income to get by each month. The Republicans in the Legislature should be ashamed."

###

For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
February 1, 2011 505-934-5681

Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier M. Gonzales released the following statement upon learning Gov. Susana Martinez directed state police on Monday to question the immigration status of people arrested for suspected crimes:

"Arizona here we come. This executive order opens the door to racial profiling in New Mexico and that is never acceptable. Obviously anyone convicted of a crime deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but this executive order does nothing to help police and prosecutors accomplish that goal."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Scott Forrester

January 31, 2011 505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) – A deep dive into Gov. Susana Martinez’s recently released inaugural fund-raising shows oil and gas and other powerful interests paid big to put on her party.

But the question no one is asking: What might they want in return?

Apache and Devon energy companies gave $25,000 each to the Martinez inaugural with several others including BP, Shell, Yates, Western and Xcel each giving a minimum of $5,000.

In total, Martinez raised $966,000 for her inaugural -- the most in history.

“It’s no surprise that the industries that stand to gain the most bank-rolled Martinez’s inaugural party,” said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester. “In reviewing the list of inaugural and campaign donors, I have a feeling pay-to-play will be alive and well in the Martinez administration, despite what she said on the campaign trail.”

“In fact, just one month in and we’ve already seen attempts to weaken clean-water protections with connected lobbyists and lawyers helping to write Martinez’s own executive orders,” Forrester continued.

In addition to oil and gas, Martinez’s inaugural fundraising roster is dotted with insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and developers.

“Whose side will Martinez be on?” Forrester asked. “Will she favor average New Mexicans struggling to stay in their homes and make ends meet in this economy -- or will she take the side of the powerful corporate interests and continue to let them write her administration’s policies?”

“Time will tell, but Martinez’s fund-raising is a pretty clear indicator what side she’s on,” Forrester said.

###

For Immediate Release                Contact: Scott Forrester
January 26, 2011                             505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The following is a statement by Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier M. Gonzales upon learning the New Mexico Supreme Court today ruled unanimously Governor Martinez violated the state constitution by refusing to publish an environmental rule she does not support: 

"Today the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold the publication of important environmental rules that were the result of multi-year hearing process.  I applaud the Supreme Court in their judgment and hope Governor Martinez will continue to follow New Mexico law as she took an oath to do. It is important for any elected leader to not overstep their authority or behave has if they are above the law, and today was a clear victory for our water, land, and air. New Mexico can become a global leader in the creation and transmission of renewable energy -- creating good-paying jobs in New Mexico for decades to come. It can happen, but we need our new governor to see that potential, as well."  

                                                                                     ####

January 24, 2011

For Immediate Release                           Contact: Scott Forrester
January 19, 2011                                       505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The following is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier M. Gonzales upon hearing the news the GOP-controlled U.S. House voted to repeal health-care reform. 

"Today, House Republicans took a vote that can be viewed at best as a partisan gesture to the extreme right wing of their party. There's a clear difference between the Republicans and Democrats on health care. Democrats believe no one should die or go bankrupt because they can't afford care -- it's one of our core values, plain and simple. By voting to repeal health-care reform, Republicans and 2nd District Congressman Steve Pearce have shown their true colors -- they just don't care about reforming a broken system where struggling families sometimes lose all they own simply trying to pay their health care bills. That is not acceptable and thankfully the United States Senate will prevent this repeal from moving forward."

For Immediate Release                                         Contact: Scott Forrester

January 14, 2011                                                  505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- The reviews are in, and Gov. Martinez's proposal to slash the film subsidy that has employed 12,000 New Mexicans and created a new industry sector from scratch is getting a big thumbs down.

"While we agree  that there are areas of NM’s State budget that need to be analyzed in this tough economy, doing it on the backs of small businesses who thrive on NM’s film industry is not the answer said Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Forrester. "The film industry in New Mexico is built on and supported by New Mexico small business owners and Martinez's recent announcement would essentially end the industry here in the state."

From catering businesses to equipment rentals and hotel stays, the film industry in New Mexico is largely supported by local small businesses and has employed more than 12,000 New Mexicans since the state adopted competitive film tax credits. In addition, it has inspired thousands of New Mexicans to pursue film as a career, helping to build a growing skilled workforce in the entertainment industry.

Martinez's announcement was greeted with news that a big-budget film "Avengers" due to spend millions in the state hiring New Mexico companies and skilled crew members may reconsider its decision to come here. Story here: http://movies.ign.com/articles/114/1143499p1.html

In fact, the State Film Office shows that the direct spend of the film subsidy has been $1.2 billion spent in the state while the subsidy has been in effect. Charts here:http://www.nmfilm.com/filming/downloads/productionStats.pdf

And while some may argue that Productions have only been in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas, that assumption is just plain wrong. This chart, again created by the film office, shows productions have occurred in every corner of the state, creating economic activity that didn't exist before. List here: http://www.nmfilm.com/filming/downloads/nmLocationMap.pdf

"Clearly, Martinez is way off base in attacking the film industry," Forrester said. "The Governor should be in the business of creating jobs, not crushing a fledgling industry that has become a shining bright spot during these difficult economic times."

                                                                                     #

For Immediate Release                                        Contact: Scott Forrester

January 6, 2011                                                        505-934-5681

(ALBUQUERQUE) – In a clear sign that polluters in New Mexico will have free reign under her administration, Gov. Susana Martinez today nominated global warming denier and former astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt to head the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

On many occasions, Schmitt has scoffed at decades of sound scientific evidence and a mountain of research that validated the human causes of global climate change.

In one instance he told Fox News that the "CO2 scare is a red herring", that the "global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision-making."

“Martinez promised bold change and she’s bringing it in the form of an appointee at odds with the basic tenets of science and reason,” said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester. “This appointment is a clear signal to Martinez’s big-oil backers that the days of basic protections for New Mexicans’ air and drinking water are over.”

Martinez also recently fired the entire Environmental Improvement Board, paving the way for industrial polluters to have their way with New Mexico’s precious natural resources.

“Martinez has never said one word about how important it is to have clean air and water in our beautiful state and instead has spent her short time in office ripping down basic environmental protections for our citizens,” Forrester said. “These moves are either straight payback for her contributors or a blatant disregard for the importance of clean air and water – not only for the lives of New Mexicans, but for future economic development.”

                                                                                #####

Schmitt on the record:

He has said that "the CO2 scare is a red herring."[Is Global Warming Real? Climate debate heats up", [Fox Business Network interview by Stuart Varney, 22 December 2009]

"global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision-making," Schmitt said. [Ex-Astronaut: Global Warming Is Bunk, AP, 2/16/09]

Of the global warming debate, he said: "It's one of the few times you've seen a sizable portion of scientists who ought to be objective take a political position and it's coloring their objectivity." [Ex-Astronaut: Global Warming Is Bunk, AP, 2/16/09]

“I don’t think the human effect is significant compared to the natural effect,” said Schmitt [Former astronaut Harrison Schmitt calls global warming a 'political tool', by Tony Hake, 2/16/09]

“Contrary to categorical statements by many politicians and unfortunately some scientists, including some colleagues of mine, the science of climate change and its causes is not settled - at least not to this geologist,” said Shimitt [Astronaut Harrison Schmitt: Climate change alarmists 'intentionally mislead', by Tony Hake, 3/1/09]

Schmitt said, “No definitive evidence therefore exists to support the hypothesis that the industrial revolution has driven carbon dioxide levels up more rapidly than otherwise expected as a response to long term temperature increases.  No evidence likewise exists AGAINST the conclusion that variations in solar heating remain the overwhelming dominate driver of climate change and weather.” [Astronaut Harrison Schmitt: Climate change alarmists 'intentionally mislead', by Tony Hake, 3/1/09]

For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: Scott Forrester

29 December 2010                                                               505-934-5681

Albuquerque -- The following is a statement from New Mexico State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino upon learning Dr. Jose Garcia once taught at the Army School of the Americas, which has been roundly criticized for the human-rights violations performed by a number of its graduates throughout Latin America.

"The Army School of the Americas has a deeply troubling history of training human-rights abusers throughout Latin America. Dr. Jose Garcia and Susana Martinez must come out and explain his involvement with the school. The halls of New Mexico government are no place for anyone who condones the types of abuses that were spawned from the School of the Americas in the 1980s and early 1990s. Dr. Garcia owes anyone who values human rights a full accounting of his time working for the school."

Jose Garcia was “appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Army School of the Americas from 1989-1991, where he was named instructor of the year for 1990.” (1)

Background on the Army School of the Americas:

On June 28, 1996, a report issued by the Intelligence Oversight Board a four-person, independent board created by President Clinton.  The IOB, headed by attorney Anthony S. Harrington and including Gen. Lew Allen, Jr., USAF (Retired), found that the "School of the Americas ... used improper instruction materials in training Latin American officers from 1982 to 1991. ... certain passages appeared to condone practices such as execution of guerillas, extortion, physical abuse, coercion, and false imprisonment." (2)

According to School of the Americas Watch, these manuals taught repressive techniques and promoted the violation of human rights throughout Latin America and around the globe. The manuals contain instructions in motivation by fear, bounties for enemy dead, false imprisonment, torture, execution, and kidnapping a target's family members. The Pentagon admitted that these manuals were a "mistake."(3)

                                                                                             ###  

1)      Jose Garcia Bio: http://www.nmsu.edu/~govdept/garcia.html

2)      http://www.soaw.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=226

3)      http://soaw.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269