Press Releases
Are Darren White and Rob Perry helping Martinez transition on city taxpayers’ dime
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Scott Forrester December 29, 2010 505-934-5681
Both Perry and White have been working on Martinez’s transition team. The requests ask for White’s leave or “P-30” requests from late 2009 to the present as well as White and Perry’s leave requests and official city expense information from November 2, 2010 to the present. (The IPRA requests can be viewed by clicking here and here.)
City employees who are not performing official city duties during regular business hours must take leave to do so.
“In an era of historic budget constraints, taxpayers deserve to know how two of the city’s highest paid and important officials are spending their time,” said Democratic Party of New Mexico Executive Director Scott Forrester. “Helping the new governor transition is one thing, but doing it on a cash-strapped city’s dime is another thing altogether. The public has a right to know that leave requests remotely match the actual time they have taken off."
Once received, the city has three days to acknowledge receipt of the request and begin processing the requested documents.
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Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Javier M. Gonzales Urges Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits
Albuquerque, NM – Congressional funding for extended unemployment benefits has expired. If Congress does not renew that funding before the end of the year, 2 million Americans will lose their benefits by January 1. Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Javier M. Gonzales released the following statement on that issue: “With two million hard-working Americans facing the imminent loss of critical unemployment benefits, it is simply no time for Republicans to be playing politics with this much-needed relief. New Mexico families are facing one of the worst job markets in generations, and unemployment benefits are an absolutely critical lifeline for families as they work to get back on their feet. If Congress doesn’t act, those families could lose their ability to pay for essentials such as food, heat, and shelter." "I find it unconscionable that the priority of the incoming Republican leadership is more focused on extending Bush-era tax cuts for wealthy Americans than to extend these critical benefits to struggling working-class Americans. It's nothing short of hypocrisy for Republicans -- who claim to be the Party of morality -- to act in such a cruel and offensive way to the least of our brethren." “Extending unemployment insurance is not just vital to millions of Americans and their families, it is also vital to our economy and its continued growth. As study after study has shown, including an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office and a report released today by the Council of Economic Advisers today, unemployment benefits are one of the most effective initiatives to boost a struggling economy. Failure to extend emergency benefits will not only hurt millions of American families, it will have the perverse effect of increasing unemployment and slowing our economic recovery.
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“Since President Obama took office, Republicans in the House and Senate have opposed, obstructed or delayed the extension of unemployment benefits and are doing so again while focusing their attention instead on extending tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.
“It’s time Republicans set aside partisan games and work to help American families and our economy by extending emergency unemployment benefits without delay.”
STATEMENT: Chairman Gonzales Releases Statement on Veterans' Day
11 November 2010 Albuquerque, N.M.
For Immediate Release
“New Mexicans have a proud history of serving their country as members of the United States’ Armed Forces. We remember and honor all New Mexicans who have served, are serving or have paid the ultimate price to our great Nation.”
“New Mexico has a strong legacy of honoring our elders, community leaders and traditions. New Mexico Veterans – those living and deceased – encompass all three of these areas, making them unique among our State’s citizens. It is a proud fact that New Mexico continues this legacy of service in the modern era at Kirtland, Cannon, Holloman and White Sands Bases. ”
“On this federal holiday, we turn our attention to our Veterans and thank their self-less service. Let us continue our work for policies and legislation which provide support for our returning service-members and their families.”
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Where is the Bold Change?
Albuquerque,
NM -- In an article from www.nmpolitics.net, dated September 15, then-candidate Susana Martinez proclaimed: "We need a new direction in state government - one that has a zero tolerance for pay-to-play deals for affluent special interests. As governor, I am ready to provide that from the very first moment I am elected"
A week after becoming Governor-elect, here is a list of the 'bold change' Martinez has brought to Santa Fe:
- Transition teams
filled with long time partisan allies of the Republican Party.
- Energy and
environment transition team filled with oil and gas attorneys/presidents
and her husband who's an under-sheriff?
- Public Safety and
- Big Real-Estate Developers with an DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester said, "New Mexico voters chose Susana largely on her claims of change, yet all signs point to an incoming administration based on favors to campaign supporters and donors. It sounds like she is more committed to special interests and favors for friends, than she is to bringing change to New Mexico. Where is the 'bold change' Susana Martinez promised?"
Correction Teams Chaired by City of Albuquerque employees who are working
on the tax payer's dollar.
interest in our water that will select the State's Engineer.
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DPNM Chairman's Statement on Labor Day
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier M. Gonzales released the following statement to commemorate Labor Day:
New Mexico Legislators in Support of Albuquerque Police and Fire Fighters
August 3, 2010
Honorable Richard J. Berry
Mayor, City of Albuquerque
I Civic Plaza
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Dear Mayor Berry,
We, the undersigned, appreciate-and-support tzhe-Albi-qUezque Police-and-Fire Fighters and their
commitment to providepubii -CWetyfoiiiiricommunity. Wekbelielre—agreements negotiated and
executed in good faitfrshould,be.honorecl according to the te irms.amiconditions.therein. The Police
and Fire Fighter's collective bargaining agreements do not expire until June 30, 2011.
We also understand there are-budget-shortfalls, both at the-state-and-local-government levels, which
necessitate financial considerations-to-meet ttle)-equireclbalunced"budgetrIn full awareness of the
realities of the City of Albuquerque's budget crisifilte Albuquerque Police Officers Association
(APOA) and the Albuquerque Area Fire Fighters Association (IAFF Local 244) worked diligently
with City Council to develop a series of voluntary cuts anti deferred pay raises until the City had the
means to honor its contractual obligations.
It is our understanding that the concessions proposed (by the Albuquerque Police and Fire Fighters
will result in greater savings than requested by your administration. We urge you to accept their
offers to ensure the City meets its balanced budget mandate and honor all other obligations under
the current collective bargaining agreements. If their offer truly resolves the immediate fiscal year's
financial issues, as the City Council has indicated it does, then we urge you, in good faith, to revisit
the Memorandums of Understanding to facilitate their concessions for fiscal relief
Congressman Steve Pearce Kicks Off Double Talk Tour
Albuquerque, NM – Congressman Pearce had a busy week on the Double Talk Express. Monday, he was on a local radio show talking about reducing the federal deficit, on Wednesday he was talking about improving border security, and on Friday he was preaching about protecting Social Security. But what Congressman Pearce never talks about is the fact that he is responsible for 3 of the nation’s worst budget deficits in history, he voted multiple times against funding to improve border security, and he is on record endorsing the privatization of Social Security. “Congressman Pearce is busy rewriting his political history,” said James Hallinan, Spokesman for the DPNM. “The truth is that Congressman Pearce wholeheartedly supported the Bush Administration’s disastrous budget policies, he voted against additional funding for border security, and he has endorsed the privatization of Social Security. Those are the facts and that’s bad news for New Mexico.” Last Monday, on KSNM radio when the discussion turned to the federal deficit, Congressman Pearce talked about the need to “live within our means.” He forgot to mention his record of supporting deficit busting budgets. Click here to listen to Congressman Pearce’s deficit double talk. In Wednesday’s Alamorgdo Daily News, Congressman Pearce is quoted saying “we need to secure our southern borders” -- again no mention of his votes against thousands of additional border agents. Click here to listen to Congressman Pearce deny that he ever supported privatizing Social Security on KKOB radio on Friday. Get the Facts on Pearce’s Deficit Double Talk at AskPearceWhy.com Congressman Pearce OPPOSED a budget plan that would cut the deficit in half in two years and balance the budget in 2012. Congressman Pearce SUPPORTED giving the “Bush Administration a blank check to continue running large deficits.” Congressman Pearce Fully SUPPORTED the Bush administration and the irresponsible Republican leadership in passing budgets that created enormous deficits. Congressman Pearce said “the debt is not a fearful thing to me.” Get the Facts On Pearce’s Border Security Failures at AskPearceWhy.com Congressman Pearce TWICE OPPOSED a bill which reflected the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on border security and immigration enforcement. Congressman Pearce OPPOSED a motion to the Immigration Law Enforcement Act to give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on illegal alien smuggling. Congressman Pearce OPPOSED the Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill. Congressman Pearce OPPOSED two provisions to the emergency supplemental spending bill to increase border and port security funding. Congressman Pearce OPPOSED funding for the Border Patrol in the House Homeland Security Committee Markup. Get the Facts On Pearce’s Privatization Plans for Social Security at AskPearceWhy.com Congressman Pearce Said Privatization Would Advance the Concept of Investment among Young Workers -- At a 2005 town hall meeting, Pearce “agreed personal accounts [for Social Security] would advance the concept of saving and investment among younger workers. He said they would also reduce the amount of benefit obligation, as the increase in return from investment translates to people ‘opting out of certain benefits.’” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 3/23/05] Congressman Pearce: “Everything should be on the table” for Social Security, Including Private Accounts -- At a 2005 town hall meeting, Pearce “said with people living longer and with payouts increasing as pay-ins decrease…I don’t know if the program is going to be completely bankrupt like the president says [in 2042] but I do know there are going to be significant pressures on the system,” Pearce said. “Everything should be on the table,” and personal or private accounts “may be just one way to reduce that pressure, he said.” [Las Cruces Sun- News, 3/23/05] Congressman Pearce agreed with Bush’s Call for Partial Privatization and even Suggested His Own Privatization Plan -- In February 2005, Pearce “said he agrees with Bush’s call to partially privatize the [social security] system,” [AP, 2/06/05] Congressman Pearce Praised Bush’s 2005 Privatization Tour -- In March 2005, President Bush visited New Mexico on his tour to pitch his plan to privatize Social Security. Congressman Pearce “said the president is doing the right thing by traveling to cities across America to explain why he has proposed to change the way Social Security is administered.” Congressman Pearce Suggested Plan to Privatize Social Security -- At a 2007 meeting "Pearce said he had supported President Bush’s plan to turn over a portion of Americans’ Social Security so they could invest it themselves. He said the proposal was met with skepticism by Washington and the public. 'It is our responsibility to deal with these problems and not just keep sweeping them along,' Pearce said." [Clovis News Journal, 07/27/2007] ###
Martinez Says She’s Focused on Education, but Couldn’t Be Bothered to Vote in 2003 Special Election for Education Funding
Albuquerque, NM – Susana Martinez, who last night professed her passion for education, apparently didn't care enough about the future of our schools to even make it to the polls for a historic 2003 education election which put more money into New Mexico's classrooms. "If you really do care about education, then where were you when that critical vote was being cast Susana? You can't just show up one day and say you care about education when the Dona Ana County Clerk records clearly show you didn't even care enough to vote on two of the most important constitutional issues facing New Mexico's voters in the last two decades,” said DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales. Neither the Secretary of State nor the Dona Ana County Clerk has a record of Martinez voting in the 2003 special election. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican “Checking Martinez’s voting history at the secretary of state’s website appears to verify that there is no record of Martinez voting in that election. Martinez did not respond to that charge in the debate.” [Santa Fe New Mexican, 8/19/10] Diane Denish voted in the 2003 special election and was a leader in the Yes on 1 and 2 campaign, which increased pay for New Mexico's teachers and linked raises to an improved licensure system so that teachers were rewarded for improving their skills. "This was a vote to put more money into the classroom and Susana Martinez didn't show up," Gonzales said. "It's one more example of Diane Denish fighting to improve our schools and Susana Martinez turning her back on our kids and families." # # #
As Martinez's Unethical Mismanagement of Taxpayer Funds Surfaces, She Continues to Campaign on Hypocritical Ethics Platform
Albuquerque, NM – Another day and another skeleton in Susana Martinez's closet comes to light – and again it’s New Mexico taxpayers who are picking up the tab. Fresh on the heels of last week's two-part investigation by the Albuquerque Journal into a $60,000 no-bid handout awarded to one of Martinez's top deputies, the Journal exposed yet another Martinez scandal today. The Journal revealed that Susana Martinez awarded nearly half a million dollars in Wall Street-style bonuses to her deputies and political allies, mostly from federal dollars meant to help combat border crime. Martinez showered her staff with nearly three times more in bonuses and raises than any other D.A.'s office in state.
“With each passing day, Susana Martinez is losing more credibility with the people of New Mexico. She says she’ll secure the border, then we find out she spent federal border security money on Wall Street-style bonuses for her staff. She says she’ll respect taxpayer dollars, then we find out she gave a political ally a $60,000 no-bid handout. Susana Martinez wants families to think she’ll bring bold change, but the reality is that she’s just a typical politician who cannot be trusted,” said Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales. “She's clearly not on the side of New Mexico families.”
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Martinez's No-Bid, “Sweetheart Contract” to Employee Draws Intense Media Scrutiny
Since announcing her candidacy 13 months ago Martinez has received little scrutiny, but with the very real possibility she could be the next Governor and early voting now less than 60 days away, the wake-up call has been made. One of the headlines screamed: "Martinez Defends Office Purchases." Hey, what happened to Baby Brianna? The ABQ Journal article reporting how Martinez, the Dona Ana County DA, appeared to have entered a sweetheart contract for office supplies with one of her assistant DA's is not devastating. But it is bad. That's because she is the candidate who has presented herself as clean as a whistle and anything that undermines that notion also undermines her credibility. That the Martinez camp was worried that her reputation as a corruption fighter had taken a serious hit in that Friday report was on full display when the paper followed up with a Saturday front-pager on the same topic filled with push back from Susana's camp. The Dems have been pounding the table that Martinez has been getting an easy press ride--especially from the Journal--while Dem nominee Diane Denish is repeatedly punished by the paper and other media as they associate her with the seamy side of Big Bill and pen editorials condemning her use of the state jet. The Martinez hit came from the paper's still strong investigative unit. Did the basis for the story originate with Dem opposition researchers? Perhaps. But the larger point is that the front-pagers may be signaling the end of the press honeymoon for Susana, while there never really was one for Denish. Martinez Bought Supplies From Aide – Colleen Heild, Albuquerque Journal 8/6/10, Silver City Sun-News & Las Cruces Sun-News 8/7/10 The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies from a home-based company owned by one of her top deputies and political ally. There was no contract or competitive bidding process that covered the purchases from 2003 to 2005, and a former state auditor questions whether state law was followed. But Martinez, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the arrangement was legal, had approval from two state agencies and saved the taxpayers money. She also said she would do it all over again as governor, "so long as there was transparency in that transaction" and a cost savings was the result. The deputy district attorney involved, Janetta B. Hicks, also a Republican, is now the elected district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District based in Roswell. Martinez Defends Office Purchases – Colleen Heild, Albuquerque Journal 8/7/10 District Attorney Susana Martinez of Las Cruces said Friday that state-mandated audits prove her office did nothing improper in purchasing more than $60,000 in office supplies and equipment from a company owned by one of her top deputies. The Republican candidate for governor took issue with statements by former state Auditor Domingo Martinez, who called the purchases into question in a Journal story published Friday. She pointed out that it was Domingo Martinez's office that signed off on the yearly audits that found no irregularities with her office's finances or purchases. "For Domingo Martinez, whose office accepted the audits .... to now suddenly claim in an election she did something wrong ... is beyond the pale," said Ryan Cangiolosi, Martinez campaign manager. Ethics Hit – New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan 8/6/10 Martinez has been running on what seems like "an all ethics all the time" platform, but that can cut both ways. The Dona Ana County DA is taking this hit: The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies from a home-based company owned by one of her top deputies and political ally. There was no contract or competitive bidding process that covered the purchases from 2003 to 2005, and a former state auditor questions whether state law was followed. But Martinez, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the arrangement was legal, had approval from two state agencies and saved the taxpayers money. As DA, Martinez Bought Supplies From Company Owned by Top Aide, Journal Reports – Trip Jennings, NM Independent 8/7/10 The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies without a contract or competitive bidding process from a company owned by one of Martinez’s then-top deputies and a political ally, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. A former state auditor now questions whether state law was followed in the purchases, which were made from 2003 to 2005, according to the paper. Martinez, who is the Republican nominee for governor, told the paper that the arrangement was legal and had approval from two state agencies. In addition, it saved the taxpayers money, Martinez is quoted as saying. She would do it all over again as governor, “so long as there was transparency in that transaction” and a cost savings was the result, Martinez told the paper. Martinez Office Purchases Draw Scrutiny – News New Mexico 8/7/10 The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies without a contract or competitive bidding process from a company owned by one of Martinez’s then-top deputies and a political ally, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. A former state auditor now questions whether state law was followed in the purchases, which were made from 2003 to 2005, according to the paper. Martinez, who is the Republican nominee for governor, told the paper that the arrangement was legal and had approval from two state agencies. In addition, it saved the taxpayers money, Martinez is quoted as saying. She would do it all over again as governor, “so long as there was transparency in that transaction” and a cost savings was the result, Martinez told the paper. Read more here: Susana Martinez and Ethics – Jim Baca, Only in New Mexico 8/7/10 The Journal revisited the story on GOP Gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez today. Martinez defended herself through her campaign spokesman saying everything she did was legal when she bought office supplies from her friend, employee and campaign supporter. Maybe it was legal, but I am betting it wasn't. I also know when something isn't ethical and this was not ethical. Here are a few more questions for someone to follow up on. Was the DA's office the only customer of this home based office supply store? How much money did this employee donate to Martinez's campaigns? Was there any apparatus set up in the DA's office to look at the ethics of transactions there? Were all taxes paid? Did any sales from this store go to the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s office where Susana's husband is undersheriff? Just asking! # # #
New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan
8/9/10
Susana's Press Honeymoon: Is It Ending?
Let's kick-off this summer Monday with some media and politics. How about those two unflattering front-pagers in the state's largest fishwrapper on GOP Guv nominee Susana Martinez? Democrats thought they would never get here.
Original Albuquerque Journal Stories:
Follow-ups and write-throughs: