Free Republic

In state government they’re called “Gifts from the North” and these supposedly temporary jobs have long life-spans and big salaries.

SANTA FE — Leading up to this year's legislative session, Gov. Bill Richardson proclaimed 2006 the "year of the child'' for his proposals. The "year of the Legislature'' might be a better description of the just-ended session, however. More than any time during Richardson's administration, lawmakers — particularly the Senate — exerted greater independence on a wider range of policy decisions. A number of Richardson's proposals died in the Legislature: a higher minimum wage; tax cuts, including an $18 million income tax credit for the working poor; most of his anti-corruption package; and a $250 million road construction program. <<...

Former gubernatorial spokesman Billy Sparks doesn't meet the written minimum requirements for his new six-figure job at the University of New Mexico. A bachelor's degree is required for the position of executive director of communications and marketing at the Health Sciences Center, according to a written job description provided by UNM. Sparks, who served as Gov. Bill Richardson's deputy chief of staff, has acknowledged that he is "a couple of courses short" of a bachelor's degree. No salary is listed in the description for the newly created position. But Dr. Paul Roth, executive vice president for health sciences, said Sparks...

The University of New Mexico has created a new communications job that will be filled by Gov. Bill Richardson's former chief spokesman, Billy Sparks, at a $120,000-a-year salary. Dr. Paul Roth, executive vice president for health sciences, said he approached Sparks about the job because of his unique set of skills. Roth said the position, executive director of communications and marketing for the Health Sciences Center, was not advertised. Roth said Sparks will start work there today. Roth said the hiring fell under a "sole source" category designed for candidates with a unique set of skills. Under that category, "we...

The National Hispanic Cultural Center's visual arts director says she refused to work on an exhibit of works by a Santa Fe artist collected by Gov. Bill Richardson because its scheduling didn't follow museum procedures. Helen Lucero, who said the show by Elias Rivera would benefit a private gallery, said the experience prompted her to plan to retire early, at the end of March. But on Monday, state Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman put her on paid leave until then. Her office phone and computer were cut off, and the department's head of security stood by as she packed her...

You might soon be seeing more of Gov. Bill Richardson, at least in the offices of the state Motor Vehicle Division. A division worker fired off a fax this week to MVD field offices statewide that reads like an urgent command to get [Richardson] portraits on state office walls. "ATTN: ALL OFFICE MANAGERS— ALL OFFICES THAT DO NOT HAVE THE PICTURE OF THE GOVERNOR UP IN THE OFFICE WILL NEED TO CONTACT GLORIA GARCIA IN THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE RIGHT AWAY," the faxed memo says. The memo went to managers of all 70-plus government-operated MVD field offices in New Mexico. But...

(Albuquerque, NM) – “I can assure you we will not meet our costs,” said State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught to the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. “I do not know of a single (train) system in the world that makes money.” [ABQjournal, “Train Will Lose Millions,” 1/24/06]. On Monday, planners for Governor Bill Richardson’s Rail Runner Express commuter train told lawmakers that the first year of fare revenues will amount to only ten percent of the train service’s $10 million annual operating cost. Instead federal funding, and possibly taxpayers, will foot much of the bill – even as state Education...

What do Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace and Gov. Bill Richardson have in common? All three are in today's Albuquerque Journal comics section. Today's installment of Ripley's Believe It or Not!, a comics feature that celebrates the unusual, includes a tidbit on Richardson's handshaking record set in Albuquerque several years ago. On Sept. 14. 2002, Richardson shook 13,392 hands while campaigning for governor at the New Mexico State Fair and a Lobos football tailgate party outside of University Stadium. A Guinness World Records official was on hand for Richardson's feat. And Guinness created a new category for the most handshakes...

SANTA FE— The fast-tracked New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train is a sweet deal for the state and will be the "fastest thing in town" 20 years from now as more and more cars clog the freeways, train planners told lawmakers Saturday. Several members of the House Transportation Committee, which heard the pitch for the $390 million train, agreed train service linking Belen, Albuquerque and Santa Fe will be vital. But some said planners need to do a better job of keeping legislators informed on train planning. "Some legislators feel like they're being left behind," said the committee vice-chairwoman,...

Video of Governor Richardson at the controls of his new play train (scale 1 ft.= 1 ft.). (Aside who is the female singing "Take me down, but I will not be broken")

LAS CRUCES— Apparently it was a $2 million cup of coffee. Gov. Bill Richardson was all set to announce $19 million for New Mexico State University building projects on Friday, but the recommendation grew to $21 million after a chat over coffee with NMSU President Michael Martin. Richardson planned to recommend $3 million for construction of a new Native American Cultural Center to be built near the student union, Corbett Center. ''I said, 'We can't do it for $3 million. That's an old number,''' said Martin, recounting his brief talk with the governor minutes before Richardson's appearance on the NMSU...

SANTA FE— One lawmaker called it a "shell game." Another described it as "Enron-style accounting." The Richardson administration's plan to pay for its $390 million RailRunnerExpress commuter train by digging deeper into a fund intended to pay for roads is coming under fire. A new legislative analysis shows the 2003 transportation package known as GRIP now has far less for road projects than lawmakers were told. State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught said concerns are unfounded and there will be enough money to build all road projects. Rep. Dan Foley, R-Roswell, a frequent critic of Gov. Bill Richardson, said he plans...

Gov. Bill Richardson's $300 million commuter rail project has a name, a sleek design, two locomotives, 10 bi-level cars, a computer screensaver and a Web site. But no business plan has been released outlining expected yearly operating revenues, costs, ridership estimates or fares. No public estimates have been issued as to how much it will ultimately cost to maintain the 300 miles of state track. And while the administration is poised to spend $50 million for track in the first phase from Belen to Bernalillo, legislative staff are still asking questions— including whether the state has fully investigated environmental problems...

Like many American males growing up in the 1950s, Joe Carraro loved getting a train set for Christmas. Today, as a state senator, Carraro said he is not as happy with the RailRunner train the state of New Mexico is about to see running the rails next month. "I understand the importance of mass transit - for a high, dense population area. I think that's where things kind of should be, where things like this make sense," he said. But New Mexico isn't Manhattan. It's just one of several multi-million-dollar expenditures for Gov. Bill Richardson, and Carraro, a Republican, says...

SANTA FE— When Brian Moore, 20, came to see Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday, he was ready to make a pitch for $20,000 for his college world affairs club. What Moore wasn't prepared for was the governor peeling off a $100 bill from a fat money roll and handing it to him. Wearing a natty vest with Zia symbols on both sides, Richardson held a kind of fireside chat for ordinary folks at his office Wednesday. But instead of fireside, the governor sat at his massive Cabinet table, so large there's barely walking space around it. Scheduled for 10:30 a.m....

LONDON - Virgin Galactic, the British company created by entrepreneur Richard Branson to send tourists into space, and New Mexico announced an agreement Tuesday for the state to build a $225 million spaceport. Virgin Galactic also revealed that up to 38,000 people from 126 countries have paid a deposit for a seat on one of its manned commercial flights, including a core group of 100 "founders" who have paid the initial $200,000 cost of a flight upfront. Virgin Galactic is planning to begin flights in late 2008 or early 2009.New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said construction of the...

Gov. Bill Richardson's office wanted bigger guns to represent New Mexico's interests in Washington, D.C. So the state has hired a high-profile lobbying firm whose co-chairman is the brother of John Podesta, Richardson's friend and former colleague at the Clinton White House. The firm of PodestaMattoon was selected from among six that responded to a request for proposals issued last summer. Under the contract, PodestaMattoon will receive $11,500 a month or $138,000 a year, plus expenses. John Podesta's brother, Tony Podesta, is one co-chair of the company. He is a Democratic strategist who ran John Kerry's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania....

State of NM Governor Bill Richardson and First Lady Barbara Richardson ride at front of float in buckboard. ... State of NM Governor Bill Richardson was born in Pasadena From TheNew Mexican: "A worthy investment" Richardson, an oft-discussed potential 2008 presidential candidate, said he did not initially want to ride on the float, but was persuaded by Cerletti and his Tourism Department Deputy Secretary John Hendry. With his background as both a diplomat and cabinet secretary in the Clinton administration, Richardson is one of the state's most recognizable personalities. Richardson said his participation in the parade was not an attempt...

Gov. Bill Richardson likes to touch people. He hugs, pokes, jabs and tickles. Looking to start a conversation, he might lean forward and head-butt someone— male or female. Bored on an airplane flight? He'll lick his finger and smudge an aide's glasses. Richardson says he's just joking and teasing to ease tension and boredom. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish [a Democrat] says she finds the practice irritating. She said she tries to avoid sitting or standing next to the governor at public events. She said the governor's personality is "one of charisma, joking, joshing," but also used some other words to...