Richardson Update Feb. 18-24

Governor Richardson is still busy running his state and he still has not announced his pick for the Democratic nominee. Ricahrdson called the New Mexico legislation the "least productive" legislative session during his six years as governor. Bill Richardson vowed to call lawmakers back soon for a special session. The 30-day session ended Thursday with many of the items on the governor's agenda left undone — ethics reform, domestic partnership protection, a stem cell bill and a regional transit authority for the Rail Runner were among the governor's bills that died at the close of the session. But, it was the inability to reach a compromise with the Senate on Richardson's universal health-care bill that has the governor calling for a special session. Richardson has a little debt from his campaign. Richardson's failed presidential campaign raised about $400,000 last month and repaid more than $700,000 in bank loans.
Richardson's campaign listed $390,870 in debts at the end of January, according to a fundraising disclosure report.
Human trafficking will be a separate, felony crime in New Mexico under a new law taking effect in July. Gov. Bill Richardson signed the human trafficking legislation into law on Friday in Las Cruces. Also, The New Mexico School for the Arts is one step closer to becoming reality after Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill Friday establishing the statewide charter arts school.
The school still needs approval from the state Public Education Commission, which is responsible for granting charters. If approved by the PEC, the charter arts school would be the first of its kind in the state.
Mostly Richardson has been working on his New Mexico committments, but he is still being courted by Obama and Clinton. I wonder who he will endorse?

Richardson Update Feb. 10-17

On Tuesday, February 12th, the New Mexico caucus took place.  Richardson was "deeply disturbed" by the overwhelming amount of problems that occurred that day.  There were fewer polling places and shorter hours which led to ridiculous lines and confusion; the winner, Hillary Clinton, was finally announced on Valentinte's Day.  This week, Richardson also announced that the new action movie entitled "Legion" will be filmed in New Mexico.  This will bring the count to over 90 major feature films filmed in the state since Richardson took office as governor (adding about 1.5 billion dollars to the state's economy).  Furthermore, Richardson responded to his state's 2008 legislation session, focusing on health care reform.  He said, "I will not stand by while 400,000 New Mexicans continue to struggle day-to-day without access to health care."  Also, in preparation for potential emergencies due to recent heavy snow storms, Richardson has called on many state agencies to be prepared this weekend.  In addition, Governor Richardson's already "clean energy state" has made further efforts to battle global warming by signing a new bill that sets energy efficiency standards even higher for electric utilities.  

Richardson Update Feb. 4th-9th

The big question is who is Bill Richardson endorsing for President of the United States? Although Bill Richardson and former President Bill Clinton spent sunday night watching the Superbowl, Richardson has yet to endorse a candidate for the presidential race. He may be trying to secure one of those cabinet positions. He admires both candidates and beleives that he has gotten to know both of them very well. On Super Duper Tuesday he did cast his ballot, but he gave no hint to of which candidate it was for.
Although Richardson is now out of the race, he is still Governor of New Mexico which seems to be keeping him busy. Earlier this week he declared a state of emergency due to the heavy snow fall in New Mexico. The snow fall has blocked roads and threatened structures and Richardson even sent the National Guard to help with relief efforts. So far the damage has cost $750,000. Bill Richardson has appointed Brian O'Neill as the new executive director of the New Mexico Sports Authority. O'Neill had been serving as the authority's deputy director since July 2006. Richardson says he's charging O'Neill with developing a proposal for a multipurpose arena in Bernalillo County. New Mexico has still officially not announced a winner in their primary even though Clinton is slightly ahead of Obama. They apoligize and are counting 17,000 provisional ballots. Clinton holds roughly a 1,100 lead. Lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on a bill to provide $21 million for hundreds of projects earmarked by legislators and Gov. Bill Richardson administration. However, Richardson is threatening to veto the so-called junior budget.
Pretty much Richardson has been doing his job as New Mexican Governor, but everyone still wants to know who he is going to endorse.

Richardson Update Jan. 28-Feb. 3

     Although Richardson did not endorse a candidate this week (mostly likely the best choice for him), Richardson did watch the Super Bowl with long-time friend Bill Clinton.  Not endorsing was probably best for his own agenda, because if Richardson had chosen Obama or Clinton to endorse, he would have placed his possible vice-presidency  chances at great risk. Since Barack Obama has been pushing for Hispanic votes, Clinton could have greatly benefited from Richardson's support. It will be interesting to see, without Richardson's support, the results of the contention between the two candidates for the Hispanic vote in California on Super Tuesday.

    On the 28th, New Mexico Governor Richardson unveiled the state's new supercomputer, the world's third fast computer, which will be used in business, schools, and governments.  Furthermore, Richardson demonstrated his satisfaction with the Senate, who passed the Biomedical Research Act, which allows universities to conduct embryonic stem cell research.