In addition to the quick bios published in this week’s “Replacebook,” SFR spoke with each candidate for Lieutenant Governor at length. We’ve tried to keep the transcripts short and snappy enough that you’ll make it through all eight…

José Campos (D), 48, restaurateur

SFR: What are two things Diane Denish did as Lt. Gov. that you’d have done differently?

JC: That’s an interesting question. I don’t think I would have done much different. There were critical issues she had to deal with…Now that our situation has changed, we need somebody focusing more on economic development.

How would you do that?

I would be pushing to complete the transmission authority so renewable energy can take off and create new, better-paying jobs ASAP. We’re not going to create jobs just for the sake of creating jobs; we’re going to be moving into a new industry of creating renewable power and utilizing that power within the state but also as an export to Arizona and California. That is going to bring billions of dollars back into the state of New Mexico. It’s a whole new economic opportunity for the state of New Mexico. If we don’t do it in the next four years, we will lose opportunity for the next 40. Continue reading »

This week’s Pop Quiz (a staple of our election series) features the candidates for Santa Fe County Commissioner in District 3—but as usual, we didn’t have room for every question in the paper, so here they are:

Questions

1. What is the county’s Gross Receipts Tax rate?

2. Last October, Santa Fe County adopted an ordinance to create a Renewable Energy Financing District. Explain how an REFD works.

3. Name two of the “Sustainability Principles” that govern the Sustainable Land Development Plan.

4. Where is the plan now?

5. Name two committees on which you would like to serve.

6. This Wednesday concluded a month of public outreach meetings on the Aamodt adjudication. What is it?

7. Name three divisions included under the county’s Community Services Department.

8. What experience has most shaped who you are?

9. On Friday, the Journal reported that three county residents have filed a lawsuit alleging that too much public money is going to a private, commercial real estate developer in the Santa Fe Studios project. What’s your take on the project?

10. What is the Santa Fe Studios project’s projected annual revenue?

Candidates’ responses and the Answer Key are after the jump. Continue reading »

Gov. Bill Richardson told a press conference this afternoon that a special session would be a “waste” of taxpayer’s money,  but he would call one if lawmakers don’t reach an agreement on the budget by Thursday.

Richardson says he supports reform of the scandal magnet that is the State Investment Council.

“There was one report that said I had too much control over it. that was here before I became governor,” Richardson said. “But I do welcome appointments by the Legislature, by the legislative council.”

At a press conference on economic development this morning, Gov. Bill Richardson shamelessly dodged a question about a proposed junk food tax, which seeks to calm food tax critics by targeting soda pop and exempting staple foods.

What’s a staple? This bill defines it as “meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereal, vegetables, fruits or dairy products,” which leaves some wiggle room.

SFR asked Richardson if he would veto any bill that did not declare green chile a staple food.

Richardson laughed and, “Is that what’s coming?”—as though green chile was some kind of joke.

What do you think, New Mexico: Is green chile a joke?

More importantly, is it a “vegetable”? Where you at, scientists?

Welcome to opening day at the New Mexico State Legislature!

This picture is purely metaphorical.

More after the cut.
Continue reading »