Diane Denish: News Articles

NM law requires online governmental information

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

SANTA FE - A new law will allow New Mexicans to go to a governmental Web site to track the salaries of political appointees in state jobs.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish signed legislation into law on Friday requiring the Department of Information Technology to establish the Web site by July 2011.

Known as the "sunshine portal," the Web site is to provide a wide range of information about state government, including operating budgets of agencies, a directory of government jobs, revenue collections from fees and taxes and a summary of state investment accounts.

Names of government workers, along with their salaries, will be provided for those in appointive jobs. Salaries and job titles - but no names - will be available for workers in classified positions with civil service protections.

"People like to say that making laws is like making sausage. I've always felt that's kind of an excuse to say you don't really want to know what happens," Denish said at a news conference. "I believe that the citizens of New Mexico do want to know what happens and they want to know how their money is spent."

Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, who sponsored the legislation, said the planned Web site will make it easier to find governmental information by providing people with a central link rather than forcing them to search agency by agency.

The measure was approved by lawmakers during the 30-day session that ended last month.

Denish served as acting governor while Gov. Bill Richardson was in Arizona meeting with a Navajo Nation leader.

Richardson later signed bills in Gallup, including ones to:

- Earmark 5 percent of the yearly state's severance tax bonds for capital improvement projects for Indian tribes and pueblos in New Mexico. The provision takes effect in July 2011 and is estimated to provide about $10 million in the 2012 budget year for tribal projects.

- Increase penalties for selling fraudulent Indian art and crafts. Starting in July, it will be a second-degree felony for violations involving art valued at more than $20,000. Convictions could carry a prison sentence of up to nine years in prison.

Also signed into law by Denish was a bill to improve the handling of missing persons cases by law enforcement. For example, police and sheriff's officers must start an investigation within two hours after receiving a missing persons report and enter the information into state and national databases within the same time.

The new law also requires at least four hours of enforcement training in procedures for missing persons reports and the Amber Alert system, which provides for the emergency distribution of notices of child abduction.

State Police Chief Faron Segotta said all law enforcement officers are trained how to investigate crimes but the planned training in missing persons cases will "hone our skills and just make that information more consistent."

Denish Exhorts Small Business

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Lt. Gov Diane Denish told a group of about 200 small-business owners on Wednesday they are the backbone of the state's economy and the key to creating jobs.
        "I look out across this room and that's what I see," she said. "I see job creators. That's what small business is ... and it's very important that you come together and you figure out how you create that one job that will create 300, 400, 500 jobs in Bernalillo County."
        Denish spoke at Bernalillo County's Business Summit at Albuquerque Studios focusing on the county's Increment of 1 Initiative, along with Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack, Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry, chairman of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners Art De La Cruz, Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins and other county officials.
        The five-year initiative focuses on reaching out to small-business owners and providing them with resources in order to help them expand and create more jobs.
        "It's about all of us working together to make sure we are doing the things that help small business grow and survive in New Mexico because it's just about one thing," Denish said. "It's about jobs. It's about jobs for you. It's about jobs for your children. It's about jobs for your neighbors, It's about jobs for other people. It's about New Mexico's economic security and you're going to be the leaders, not us."
        The event included a series of panel discussions and a networking reception.
        Margo Dominguez and Kathleen Gallegos attended the event in the hopes of finding some resources for their new business, Hands Up LLC. The company makes green chili cheese meat balls and is currently using another company's kitchen to produce the product.
        "We need support with getting a kitchen," Gallegos told the Journal.

Denish Calls for Efficiency Moves Before Tax Hikes

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

SANTA FE - The Senate is expected to begin sifting through the House-approved $5.6 billion budget this week, and several influential senators have already said they're opposed to relying on tax hikes to balance the budget.

A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said Monday that the lieutenant governor, who's the sole Democratic gubernatorial candidate, would like to see a slew of efficiency measures adopted before lawmakers enact tax increases.

Those measures include cutting the number of political appointees in state government, ending the return-to-work law that allows for the practice of "double dipping" and reducing the number of employee vehicles in the state fleet.

However, it appears unlikely that those measures would generate enough to offset the $240 million that would be generated by the gross receipts tax increase.

Denish said Monday that an across-the-board tax hike is the "last thing" middle-class New Mexico families need.

"I understand that not everyone shares my view, but I firmly believe that before we even think about raising taxes, the Legislature should focus on implementing every cost-saving reform possible," Denish said.

Diane Denish Files for Governor to Bring About a New Way for New Mexico

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

SANTA FE - Joined by her family, Diane Denish today officially filed for Governor in order to bring about a new way forward for the state of New Mexico and its families. Upon filing with the Secretary of State, Denish issued the following statement:

"As a lifelong New Mexican who raised my family here and ran my small business here, I have developed a unique relationship with the people of our state. New Mexicans are the hardest-working, most caring people in America - and as I travel across our state, I'm inspired by the hope and optimism I see in communities large and small. Times are tough, but we New Mexicans are tougher.

"When people ask me why I want to be Governor during these historically challenging times, I tell them because now is when it matters most. I'm running because New Mexicans need a new way forward - a plan that puts our small businesses first and gets folks back to work; new ideas to cut wasteful spending and increase government efficiency; a government that is more open and transparent; and a new commitment to New Mexico's families.

"We can overcome these challenging times by focusing on what's important: kick-starting our economy and finding real solutions for New Mexico's families and job creators."

Denish filed today with more than 10,500 petition signatures, almost five times what's required to get on the Democratic primary ballot. More than 400 volunteers drove the campaign's signature-collection effort from every corner of New Mexico, garnering signatures from all of the state's 33 counties. Denish has also built a strong statewide organization. As of the most recent campaign finance report, her campaign had $2.5 million in cash on hand for the governor's race.

NM Proposal to Expand Online Gov't Information

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

New Mexicans could track spending by state agencies under a proposal that would create a Web portal for access to government information.

The measure by Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, has the support of Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

"People want the right and need the right to easily access as much information as possible about New Mexico's government and how their tax dollars are being spent," Denish told a news conference Tuesday with Rue.

The legislation requires the Department of Information Technology to establish a Web site by July 2011 to provide a wide range of information about state government, including the operating budgets of agencies, their monthly expenditures, revenue collections from fees and taxes, a summary of state investment accounts and a directory of government jobs and their salaries.

However, the bill won't require the listing of government jobs to disclose the names of workers in those positions although that's a public record under state law.

Most agencies and state offices have Web sites, but there's no law directing them to post online certain records and data that they maintain. The legislation will create a central online location for state government and will offer links to agencies and the services they provide.

Information on government spending initially will be limited to executive branch agencies because that is readily available through the state's central finance system. That means New Mexicans won't be able use the proposed Web site to look at expenditures by public schools, colleges and universities, which account for nearly 60 percent of state spending.

Rue said the Web site, once established, can be improved and more information should become available to the public.

Bill Would Put State Spending Online

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

New Mexicans could track spending by state agencies under a proposal that would create a Web portal for access to government information.

The measure by Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, has the support of Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

"People want the right and need the right to easily access as much information as possible about New Mexico's government and how their tax dollars are being spent," Denish told a news conference Tuesday with Rue.

The legislation requires the Department of Information Technology to establish a Web site by July 2011 to provide a wide range of information about state government, including the operating budgets of agencies, their monthly expenditures, revenue collections from fees and taxes, a summary of state investment accounts and a directory of government jobs and their salaries.

However, the bill won't require the listing of government jobs to disclose the names of workers in those positions although that's a public record under state law.

Most agencies and state offices have Web sites, but there's no law directing them to post online certain records and data that they maintain. The legislation will create a central online location for state government and will offer links to agencies and the services they provide.

Information on government spending initially will be limited to executive branch agencies because that is readily available through the state's central finance system. That means New Mexicans won't be able use the proposed Web site to look at expenditures by public schools, colleges and universities, which account for nearly 60 percent of state spending.

Rue said the Web site, once established, can be improved and more information should become available to the public.

In Brief - 'Sunshine Portal' Previewed

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish gave a preview of a possible state “Sunshine Portal,” an online database of most of the state's financial records. Rue is sponsoring, with Denish's support, SB195, or the Sunshine Portal Act, which would require the state to set up a real version of the Web site by October and have a system to update all the financial information ready by July 2011.

Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish announced her support of a Senate Bill 195 by Republican Sen. Sander Rue to create a "sunshine portal" for the state government.

Sorry, it's not up on the Legislature Web site yet, so I can't post a link.

Among the features of the proposed portal:

* The State’s check ledger: regular updates of the state's cash balances by account or fund.

* A monthly summary of the state's investment accounts under the control of the State Investment Council.

*Annual operating budgets for each state agency with monthly expenditures by category.

* The Contractor Database, which became law last year and launch earlier on Jan. 1, 2010.

* The revenue that the state received in the preceding month by source, such as type of tax, fee, fine, administrative fee or other collection category.

* Special appropriations received outside the general appropriation act by each state agency and the purpose of those appropriations

* Approved budget adjustment requests by state agency and affected budget category.

* Reversions and cash balances by state agency and fund

* Capital Outlay tracker to give updates on capital outlay projects and appropriations.

* A directory of all employee positions, including exempt employee positions, by state agency, showing each position's title and salary.

* An open meeting tracker, so the public knows when key government meetings are occurring.

* And links to other areas of government where public information is kept, such as: The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts and the Secretary of State's web sites for lobbyist regulation and political committee reports.

Take Politics Out of Investment Council

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Take Politics Out of Investment Council

By Lt. Gov. Diane Denish

          New Mexicans depend on members of the State Investment Council to be faithful stewards of the state's permanent funds — which finance state retirement plans, parts of our education system and key infrastructure projects. It's a rainy day fund that represents our promise to future generations of New Mexicans.
        Recently, an independent review identified a number of key recommendations to improve and reform many of the SIC's practices. Many of these recommendations are common-sense improvements and I support them.
        As lieutenant governor, I do not have a seat on the SIC and I have no involvement over its investment decisions, but I recognize the important role of the SIC and the need to ensure taxpayers have complete confidence in the council's policies and practices.
        We must take swift action to remove the specter of politics from the state's investment process and inject transparency into how investment decisions are made.
        These two themes reappear often throughout a recent independent review of the SIC and its practices. In the long run, every recommendation deserves careful scrutiny and consideration, but for now we need to do the following.
        First and foremost, the public SIC board members must not all be appointed by the governor — whether it be the current governor or a future governor. Limits must be put on the executive's power, such as taking all SIC staff members, including the state investment officer, off the board; allowing the SIC board to select its own chair and vice chair; and dividing the selection of board member appointments among more entities, including the Legislature. We must create the strongest safeguards to protect New Mexico's tax dollars and ensure the responsible growth of state investments from which all will benefit in the future.
        However, while the governor should not be intimately involved in investment decisions, the governor is ultimately responsible for overseeing the state's fiscal health and must receive regular investment reports.
        Additionally, legislative changes are also needed to properly overhaul the SIC. Legislators should change the law to allow for removal of board members who don't regularly attend meetings, require basic financial expertise and other relevant qualifications from potential new board members, expand disclosure requirements for board members and executive staff, require orientation and ongoing training for board members and develop a clear code of ethics and charter for the council. SIC staff members should also receive regular, continuing career development in best-investment practices.
        These are just a few of the common-sense reforms we can make to help remove politics from the SIC and restore public confidence in the investment decisions that are made.
        These funds are a public trust and the people of New Mexico deserve a State Investment Council that is dedicated to serving the best interests of our state and working with an eye toward the state's future development. The SIC must not be beholden to the fickle winds of politics.

Denish, Cote combine on border security bill

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

SANTA FE -- Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, announced new border security legislation Friday to combat increasing criminal activity across the border. House Joint Memorial 9 calls for the designation of four executive agency border liaisons to coordinate efforts with the federal government and counties along the border, ensuring the continued development of cross-border commerce and trade between New Mexico and Mexico.

The liaisons would be designated by the Departments of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Safety, Transportation and the Border Authority, and would provide an international border security perspective in each agency's ongoing strategic planning. Increased coordination between the liaisons and their local and federal counterparts would better leverage state resources and support future economic development in the border region, according to a press release on the memorial. Transportation's liaison would focus particularly on infrastructure needs at vital ports of entry.

"I am honored to carry this legislation for Lt. Gov. Denish and for the people of Do-a Ana and Otero counties," Cote said. "Diane Denish understands the importance of secure borders and the role that will play in our region's economic future. Only by first securing our border with

Denish raised $750K in fourth quarter

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish raised just under $750,000 in monetary contributions during the fourth quarter of 2009, her campaign announced today in calling it her “strongest quarter yet.”

Denish raised $749,614.96 in monetary contributions from October to December, and had an additional $49,218.07 in in-kind contributions, according to a summary of her fundraising released this morning. The campaign said a full report of contributions and expenditures would be available later today on Denish’s Web site.

According to the summary, Denish spent $391,166.06 during the three-month period. She ended 2009 with more than $2.5 million on hand. Denish’s campaign carries $260,225 in debt.

“This strong level of grassroots support shows that New Mexicans are ready for a new type of leader who will bring about a new way of governing,” Denish said in a news release. “Times are tough, but the people of New Mexico are tougher, and I’m inspired by the hope and optimism I see in communities across our state.”

Denish said the majority of the campaign’s nearly 8,000 contributions have been for $100 or less. The campaign has raised more than $3.5 million during the current cycle, with nearly 90 percent of its supporters living in New Mexico.

The money Denish has on hand is cash she’s likely putting aside for the general election, since she’s drawn no primary challenger. Meanwhile, Republicans appear to be dealing with the possibility of their primary field expanding from four gubernatorial candidates to five if Pete Domenici Jr. enters the race.

Denish Campaign Manager Oren Shur called his boss “the only candidate for governor who is energizing New Mexicans, organizing across the state and inspiring young people to get involved.”

“During these tough times, New Mexicans are looking for an optimistic, forward-thinking leader, not more of the same old negative politics the Republican candidates have been offering,” Shur said.

Denish and other state candidates aren’t required to file campaign finance reports this week, but Denish has been voluntarily releasing such reports quarterly for some time. The law requires their release twice in off-election years. This year reports must be filed more frequently, but the first isn’t required until April 12.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez has also said she’ll voluntarily release a campaign finance report this week. And Republican candidate Janice Arnold-Jones is going beyond that in terms of campaign contributions. She recently posted on her campaign Web site information about every contribution she’s received to date, and plans to keep the list of contributions current.

Arnold-Jones has not put a list of campaign expenditures online.

The other gubernatorial candidates – Republicans Doug Turner and Allen Weh – have not answered my question about whether they will release a fundraising report this month.

Missing Persons' Bill Deserves a Do-Pass

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

      It is unfortunate it took the discovery of the remains of 11 women on the West Mesa to bring to light the serious need for a better tracking system for people reported as missing.
       It would be even more unfortunate if the discovery did not result in some constructive action. Thanks in part to the efforts of Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, it has.
       As the enormity of the crimes grew and the mystery of the women's identities riveted the public, Denish assembled several working groups to look into the issue. From one of the groups came proposed legislation that state Sen. Sander Rue, a West Side Republican, plans to introduce in the upcoming session.
       The Missing Persons and Reporting Act would centralize New Mexico's missing persons lists, mandate training for law enforcement and allow for more accurate tracking of statistics.
       Here's how the missing persons reporting system has been working, or actually, not working. Of the 1,142 active New Mexico missing persons cases entered into the National Crime Information Centers database, about 400 were recorded in the similar New Mexico Missing Persons Clearinghouse — and only 24 were on its publicly accessible component Thursday.
       At least nine of the West Mesa victims had been reported missing and their cases entered into NCIC. But none was in the state clearinghouse, even though state law says all New Mexico missing persons cases shall be entered into both databases.
       The bill, which Denish says will have “a low-cost, no cost” impact, might prevent the deaths of missing persons or help bring closure to the families of those who seem to disappear without a trace. The full Legislature should give it the thumbs up.

Denish addresses business leaders in round table discussion

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

CARLSBAD — Local business owners converged on the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce building Wednesday to express concerns stemming from an uncertain economy.

The meeting was called by state Lt. Gov. Diane Denish as part of a statewide effort to assess the needs of small business owners across the state.

"I think these are tough times," Denish said. "But I think small business owners are tougher."

While Denish did not address each concern directly, she said she learned from the experience.

"People are concerned about regulations and the credit crunch," she said. "But there's some hopefulness as well."

Many present were concerned with the affects of regulations they believed hindered business and development, particularly in the energy sector.

Some said regulations established elsewhere in the state are causing industry leaders in the nuclear and oil and gas sectors to seek opportunities across the border in Texas. These industries are a key source of income for small businesses, they said.

"There's a synergistic relationship between small business and large business," Michael Weimers, URS general manager said.

Denish said she was a supporter of the approval of the LES nuclear enrichment facility.

Increasing regulations on the oil and gas industry have hindered growth in the area, said John Waters, executive director of the Carlsbad Department of Development.

"I have seen rules just get tighter and tighter," Waters said. "A lot of companies have pulled their operations outside of the state."

Waters cited a pit rule regulation designed to protect ground water sources. He said this regulation should not be applicable in places where ground water is too saline for consumption.

Denish said alternatives to the pit rule are being considered, such as a "closed loop" system, which she said would render the pit rule obsolete.

A fiberglass manufacturer said as much as 75 percent of her company's oil and gas products were being shipped to nearby states.

The spiking cost of workman's compensation and health insurance are also a concern of local employers. One employer said his cost of health insurance has increased 16 percent in the last year. He said he felt there was a lack of competition in the private insurance sector.

Accessibility to public and private funds was also discussed at the meeting. Local officials said not getting timely existing stimulus funds was delaying projects, creating shortfalls and preventing the immediate creation of jobs.

A couple business owners said they are having difficulty getting loans. Denish said a Small Business Investment Corporation micro-lending program is effective in aiding struggling businesses and a loan-back guarantee was being looked into as a means to coax private lenders into issuing more loans.

There was some optimism expressed at the meeting.

A local car dealer said his business was nearly decimated by the economy, but because help from the Small Business Administration, appears to be recovering.

"We're beginning to see a light at the tunnel," he said. "We just hope it's not a freight train."

Denish hosts silver city business roundtable

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

SILVER CITY -- A workforce in transition, an economy in transition, and how the state could both help and hinder small businesses were the hot topics at a roundtable discussion that New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish hosted Friday at Western New Mexico University.

Denish, who has been holding similar meetings throughout the state, said there are common challenges in all areas of New Mexico regarding small business, including the credit crunch and the ability to borrow money, but each community also has unique obstacles in finding economic success.

"During the tough times, what can we do to have a smoother path so we can survive and come out of the darkness?" Denish asked, describing the mission of the roundtable discussions.

Mitch Hellman, owner of Alotta Gelato in Silver City, said the area's economy could no longer rely solely on mining as its base.

Hellman referenced a Dec. 25 New Mexico Business Weekly article that held grim news for the state's mining industry. The article cites a top University of New Mexico economist's belief that the state's mining industry, which cut 20 percent of its jobs in 2009, "will probably never recover from those losses."

Larry Waldman, senior economist with UNM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, according to the article, "predicts that copper mining will vanish from the state."

"Our longtime dependency on mining is gone," Hellman said. "We need to move on to Plan B -- tourism. We don't have to look too far to communities that didn't have a Plan B and what happened to them."

Hellman said tourism should be viewed as a viable economic alternative as mining declines.

"Whether we think we are a tourism town or not, we are getting tourists," Hellman said.

However, Richard A Peterson, regional communications manager for Freeport-McMoRan, which owns the Chino and Tyrone open-pit copper mines in the area, said operations in New Mexico are holding steady at 650 employees and there are "no plans to curtail current production."

Silver City Mayor James Marshall said he appreciated Denish including Silver City in her round-table tour, adding that sometimes state government "forgets we are here."

Marshall said Silver City and Grant County needed to improve their workforce through education and instilling good ethics.

"The workforce has to change to meet business' needs," Marshall said.

Marshall re-emphasized education as the key, saying "that's the last place we need to be cutting."

WNMU President John Counts said as the economic situation continues to worsen, more people are turning to education and retraining to find new or better jobs. The university is seeing record enrollment even as the administration juggles budget cuts, Counts said.

"And as enrollment increases, of course, we will need new faculty," Counts said.

Counts said as the state tries to get a handle on its budget, some officials are proposing passing on greater tuition costs to students.

"And this is while students are working two jobs. They are single parents, trying to better themselves and get back into the workforce," he said.

Counts told Denish he thought increasing tuition costs was a bad idea.

"We need to protect our students," Counts said.

Denish said universities and community colleges throughout the state are seeing record jumps in enrollment as people scramble to find different jobs and economies shift from one industry to another. She said she would like to see more private/public partnerships to train people for existing jobs that might need to be filled and shed light on possible career paths for those who are entering the workforce.

Denish said examples of existing partnerships include hospitals working with universities to fill vacancies in the medical field and construction companies working with public schools to train students. Construction programs not only can lead to job creation but to affordable housing as well, as has been seen in communities like Deming, Denish said.

While some state programs were given kudos by some who attended the discussion, others chastised the state government as being an obstacle to economic growth.

Jim Redford, a local architect, said the construction industry has difficulty completing projects for the state because the state's procedures often cause delays, which costs contractors money.

"There is no accountability in CID. (New Mexico Construction Industries Division)," Redford said. "It costs 20 percent of a project just because of paperwork."

Denish told Redford that she understood his frustration and her office is working to revamp procedures.

"I'm a businessperson, too," Denish said, "I want predictability. It's not a good idea to have delay after delay after delay."

Roberta Hall, executive director of the Gila Economic Development Alliance, said there should be state funding to support entrepreneurs.

"We have intelligent people, creative people, and they have great ideas," Hall said. "We need to foster those ideas."

Denish said while the state's economic situation is grim, people need to remember that new businesses continue to open every day.

"But people need to know where the resources are," Denish said. "They need to know what tools are out there to help them survive. They need to be business savvy."

Terrance Vestal can be reached at tvestal@scsun-news.com; (575) 538-5893, ext. 5803.

Denish talks small business

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish visited Alamogordo Wednesday on a small business round table discussion tour.

In a conference room full of local business people Denish gave a brief introduction before asking about local concerns.

After about 10 of these tours in a row, Denish said, she and her staff have heard about a lot of different issues. Some of the things they heard have commonalities, but most of the communities have their own specialized things they are concerned about.

"We were thinking we would hear the same things everywhere, but we hear something new all the time," she said.

In Alamogordo concerns centered around the upcoming legislative session and how the state budget is going to pan out.

Aaron Rance, Betty Dare Good Samaritan Center director, raised the first concern. He said 76 percent of those cared for at his facility are on Medicaid.

"For every resident on Medicaid we have, we lose about $14 a day," Rance said. "I am afraid there is going to be a cut to Medicaid."

Denish said she could make no assurance that there would be no cuts in Medicaid.

"My offer is not to cut Medicaid," Denish said. She would prefer to make cuts at the state level salaries, for instance. She feels like nobody wants to cut Medicaid.

Alamogordo City Commissioner Joe Ferguson said he is retired and his business is the city. He asked Denish if she thinks they will bring the tax back on food.

Ferguson also said he is willing to take a salary cut.

"I may have to take a salary cut," he said. "I make $50 a meeting."

Answering the tax question, Denish said there are 25 suggestions on the table regarding taxes. She doesn't think just taxing food across the board is one of them.

"Some current government proposals are one-time fixes," Denish said. "We need to work structurally. Structure means recurring cost savings."

Denish also talked about looking at the science in regard to oil and gas drilling and exploration.

"We need to look at what's keeping people from drilling," she said.

Mesa Verde Enterprises' Randy Rabon asked about liquor licenses.

"I'm carrying the flag of liquor license issues," he said. "We need to change, fix, work on, create solutions to this issue. It's imperative we get some relief there."

Liquor licenses in New Mexico are difficult to get and pricey, thus smaller communities find themselves being denied numerous economic development opportunities because licenses are so difficult to get.

Restaurants and establishments that might locate in Alamogordo, competitive grocery stores and Red Lobster, for instance, are unwilling to pay the price for the licenses, said local broadcaster Bill Burt.

The lack of grocery stores and Red Lobster, in turn, discourages people from moving here and discourages potential larger businesses from coming as well.

"We can't entice economic growth without them," Rabon said. "This is important when you start to try to attract businesses to the community."

Burt asked Denish if there is a way to level the playing field for smaller communities such as Alamogordo. Maybe there is a way to give the communities some measure of local control.

"A lot of these laws have been in place a very long time," Denish said. Attempts to change the licensing laws traditionally "die a quick death" in the Business and Industry Committee, she said.

If she becomes governor, she said, she will sit down with the liquor commissioner and talk to various business people around the state and see what can be done.

PreCheck manager Glenn Woolsey added he has trouble recruiting employees from out of town because of the liquor license issue.

Woolsey also asked about the future of training funding small businesses receive from the state.

"I think we can maintain what we do," Denish said.

Lt. Gov. to visit city business leaders

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

CARLSBAD — Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish will visit today to meet with local business owners as part of a statewide tour aimed at fortifying small businesses to endure economic hardships.

The idea behind the meeting is to gather lenders and small business owners to assess the economic climate and collaborate on surviving and thriving, said James Hallinan, a spokesperson for Denish.

"Small business has always been the backbone of the economy," Hallinan said, adding the meeting was also focusing on job retention.

"The lieutenant governor was a small business owner herself," he said. "She really has quite an entrepreneurial spirit."

The meeting will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

Denish is holding similar meetings in Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Lea County and Silver City, a press release stated.

The Democrat is also running for governor of New Mexico.

State Website To Show Expenditures

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The state of New Mexico on Wednesday unveiled its new online database tracking all state expenditures and contracts of $20,000 or more.
    Lt. Gov. Diane Denish called the database, which the public can access via a Web site Friday, a "first step" toward improving transparency in state government.
    "I don't believe there is any reason that we should not be as open and transparent as possible," Denish said.
    The database was compiled in about six months by the state's General Services Department after a bill sponsored by Al Park, D-Albuquerque, was approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year.
    Park did not attend Wednesday's unveiling and was not available for comment.
    The Web site will give anyone access to contracts and spending in the fiscal year that ended July 1, General Services Department spokeswoman Karen Baltzley said.
    People can search for contracts or expenditures based on contract number, name, subject matter, cost, date and vendor number.
    The Web site shows the contract amount, the vendor and the category of service the contractor provided — such as communications or construction. It does not give line item accounts of what contract funding was spent on.
    The database won't be updated again until September, when state contracts from the previous fiscal year become finalized, Baltzley said.
    The state is withholding the Web site's address until Friday, the day it will be launched online.
    Denish, who collaborated on the project with state officials, said the database will continue to be improved in the future.
    "This is the first step of going toward that full sunshine portal," Denish said, referring to her proposal for a Web site that allows the public to track most of the state's business.
    Legislation for a "sunshine portal" should be proposed in January's legislative session, Denish said.

State to put contract data online

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

A new database of state government contracts will provide a glimpse into how the state of New Mexico is spending some of your money.

The database, which goes online Friday, lists contracts worth more than $20,000. It doesn't contain information on any other state spending, such as payouts from the $5.5 billion general fund that cover day-to-day operations of state government.

Still, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who unveiled the database Wednesday, said it's a step toward transparency.

"Now every citizen in our state will have access at their fingertips to see how the state is spending large sums of money through contracts," she said in a statement. "This is an important start toward creating the transparent government New Mexicans deserve, but I will not stop until we have a full sunshine portal that puts the state's entire checkbook online for the public to see."

Users will be able to search by a contract number, a vendor's name, an amount, a date and a vendor ID number, among other things.

The General Services Department built the new Web site, with the help of several other state agencies, Denish's office said.

A bill to put the entire budget online, sponsored by Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, passed the Senate earlier this year but died in the House.

"This is definitely a step in the right direction," Sarah Welsh, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, said of the new database. "The public has come to expect online access to everything, including government, and public officials are waking up to that fact," she said. "It might take a while, but I think we'll get there."

Currently, to glean information about state contracts, reporters or other members of the public must file a request under the state's Inspection of Public Records Act — a process under which the state generally has 18 days to provide information. That information currently is not available electronically and thus isn't searchable by a contractor or company name, for example.

A recent request by The New Mexican for contracts entered into in the past year found agreements with telecommunications lawyers, trauma experts, rodeo and barrel horse officials and accountants, among others.

Among the state spending shown in the documents:

u The Governor's Office entered into $23,615 in new contracts from Nov. 1, 2008, to Nov. 23, 2009, including $17,799 for a financial and compliance audit and $5,816 for "services to assist the Richardson administration in addressing women's issues, specifically, pay equity," according to documents from the Department of Finance and Administration.

The office also approved $307,937 in contract amendments in the same time period, all for legal services.

• The Taxation and Revenue Department entered into a contract for $7,350 with Hart-Fanta Leita CPA for a two-day governmental auditing skills workshop in June.

• The Department of Finance and Administration spent $277,300 on various consultants who worked on the state's beleaguered SHARE program.

• DFA also approved a $100,0000 contract for Utah State University to "provide additional services of and attend and present at three K-3 evolution study meetings to be held in Santa Fe."

• In 2008, the same department paid $5,743.50 the Third Mile Group to "assist the office of education accountability facilitate a meeting for SJM 3." That legislation requested that state education officials "develop a plan to enhance the recruitment, preparation, mentoring, evaluation, professional development and support for school principals and other school leaders."

• In 2009, it entered into a $16,000 contract with New Mexico First to facilitate a meeting on the same legislation, and entered into a contract to pay another individual $20,000 to "provide services for the implementation of SJM 3."

• DFA also entered into a contract for $53,437 with Barbara Trujillo to "provide implementation of education leadership project."

• The law firm of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck got a $16,190 contract to "provide legal services in regard to (federal stimulus money) implementation and tracking."

• The Attorney General's Office amended two contracts it has with the Columbia Group to assist the office with telecommunications cases. It has paid almost $1.3 million to the group since 2005, the records show.

Officials warn about holiday borrowing

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Don't let a payday loan company be your Santa Claus." That was the basic message Tuesday from Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Attorney General Gary King.

Denish and King for years have fought for stricter restrictions on payday lending — which critics say is legal loan-sharking. The high-interest loans got their name from transactions where borrowers get short-term advances of cash against a future paycheck.

"During this holiday season, many New Mexicans will be looking for a few extra dollars to buy last-minute gifts, but before taking out a predatory title or installment loan, it's important to know the facts," Denish said in a news release. "I encourage all New Mexicans to seek other options before getting trapped in a never-ending cycle of debt."

Denish endorsed a bill by state Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.

Senate Bill 33 would cap interest rates for all payday loans. For loans of $2,500 or smaller, the APR must not exceed 45 percent. For loans larger than $2,500, the APR must not exceed 36 percent under the bill.

The bill also would establish a statewide database to track the number of loans issued, rates of loans issued, interest rates and specifics of the loan. This, Denish said, would put additional oversight on the industry.

In 2007, the Legislature passed a bill that put a cap on the fees lenders can charge consumers — $15.50 for each $100 borrowed. Terms of loans were limited to a maximum of 35 days.

But even before the law went into effect, watchdogs said there were gaping loopholes. The Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit research and policy group, told The Associated Press in 2007 that New Mexico's law didn't impose a meaningful cap on loan costs and won't prevent borrowers from becoming mired in debt. "In those states that have those types of protections that New Mexico is just now implementing, they have some of the worst debt-trap lending in the country," a spokeswoman told the wire service.

King said Tuesday, "Earlier this year my office filed lawsuits against two lenders who were using a loophole in the law to continue to charge extremely high rates, in some cases, more than 1,000 percent. These practices take advantage of consumers and are against public policy and will be vigorously challenged by the Attorney General's Office."

He was referring to a case against Farmington-based Cash Now Loans, which allegedly prolonged the repayment time on its short-term credit, thus manipulating a loophole in a state law that caps fees on such loans. According to the lawsuit, the company put borrowers on 12-month repayment plans for loans of $100 — which ended up costing customers more than $1,000, or 1,000 percent annual interest.

King's office also has filed charges against branches of Fastbucks, another payday lender.

Denish wonaEUR(TM)t raise money during legislative session

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish says she will not raise money during the upcoming session of the Legislature, continuing a voluntary policy she’s practiced during her time in office.

By law, the governor and lawmakers can’t raise money during legislative sessions, but Denish, the only Democratic candidate for governor, is not prohibited, she said in a news release. However, according to the release, “Denish has always believed that it’s important to lead by example.”

“When the legislature is in session, I believe our focus must be solely on the issues important to New Mexico families, not campaign fundraising,” Denish said. “That’s why I go beyond what the law requires and have consistently chosen not to solicit contributions during legislative session. The fact that this is an election year changes nothing – the people’s business always comes first.”

Denish Campaign Manager Oren Shur said the state should also “look at making changes to ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules.” One gubernatorial candidate – state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque – is prohibited by law from raising money during the session, while the other candidates are not.

“But in the meantime, the Republican candidates have an opportunity to take the same voluntary step and send an important message to the people of New Mexico,” Shur said. “The Republicans like to talk about taking the high road, but when presented with an opportunity to back it up with action, they suddenly become pretty quiet.”

Arnold-Jones’ campaign pointed me to a Monday news release in which she called for a rule change to make the fundraising prohibition during sessions apply to all candidates.

“As a state representative, I am the only candidate prohibited from raising campaign funds throughout the legislative session. Those rules do not apply to the lieutenant governor, yet she presides over and has voting rights in the Senate,” Arnold-Jones said in that release. “In fact, those rules do not apply to any of my competitors in any way and they should. It is important we are all playing by the same rules on the same field.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner said the prohibition on fundraising during sessions should apply to anyone who has influence over legislation.

“I’m going to raise money during the session. I raised money during the special session, I’m going to raise money during the next session,” he said. “I’m unelected, I can’t vote on anything, so I’m going to keep pounding away.”

I sent an e-mail to the other GOP candidates seeking comment. I’ll let you know if they comment.

Denish also announced recently that she will voluntarily release a quarterly campaign-finance report in January. She’s been releasing the reports more often than the law requires for some time. I recently asked the Republican gubernatorial candidates in an e-mail if any would match Denish in releasing a finance report in January. None has responded.

Diane Denish steps out on her own in New Mexico

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish has spent her political career in the shadow of Gov. Bill Richardson, who has lorded over the state’s politics for the past two decades with a larger-than-life personality and a penchant for publicity.

But as she runs for governor, Denish has been taking steps to distance herself from Richardson’s legacy. And she’s counting on New Mexico voters to view her independently as she faces the biggest political test of her career.

Her gubernatorial campaign website hardly mentions Richardson, despite her having worked alongside him for the past seven years. Denish stresses that she is a much more low-key politician and plans to pursue a more collaborative approach to working with the state Legislature than the famously combative and garrulous governor has.

And she’s played a lead role in proposing ethics reforms — in what New Mexico observers see as indirect criticism of the Richardson administration, which has taken heat over allegations that leading political donors received preferential treatment during the governor’s tenure.

“I’m a different kind of leader, and I think it’s well-established in New Mexico that my style is distinctly different than Gov. Richardson’s,” Denish said during a recent meeting with reporters at the Democratic Governors Association headquarters in Washington. “I’ll be running on my own record; I want to be clear about that. ... I don’t think I have to say I’m going to be different than Bill Richardson. I am different than Bill Richardson.”

Denish’s decision to keep serious distance between herself and the governor comes at a time when Richardson is still enjoying healthy popularity ratings back home — an impressive feat, given the state’s economic downturn, allegations of ethical improprieties and his failed efforts at winning a job in the Obama administration. Richardson still holds a solid 51 percent approval rating, according to a Albuquerque Journal poll in September.

“It’s up to her to decide the level of his participation and how much she wants him to campaign for her. He’s a good Democrat, and he wants to see the progress continue in New Mexico,” said longtime Richardson consultant Steve Murphy.

But approval ratings may not be the only factor at work in Denish’s cool-shoulder approach to Richardson: The two have long had a prickly personal relationship. One senior operative close to Denish said that she’s not personally close to Richardson and, at a time when many elected officials are struggling across the board, believes it’s not politically wise to tie her fortunes to those of a sitting governor.

“When any two people have to work together, they work together, but they’re not going for drinks after work. They both march to the beat of a different drummer,” said one senior Democratic strategist close to Denish. “It’s a cordial working relationship, but she’s not going to ride in on the Richardson legacy. That’s not the way to run the campaign.”

There have been many public incidents illustrating the pair’s personal disagreements: Denish said that she was “disappointed” when Richardson, in the midst of a mini-scandal back home, withdrew his name to serve as President Barack Obama’s commerce secretary — depriving her of getting some hands-on experience as governor before the 2010 elections.

“We’re as disappointed as he was, but people saw ... at that time that I was ready to be governor, that we had all the pieces in place to carve my path to the governor’s office,” Denish said.

Last year, Denish chafed at the Richardson administration’s decision to deny her a full-time security detail — a privilege that many other lieutenant governors in the country have — even when traveling out of state on business. She ended up having to, on occasion, hire her own private security.

And Denish made national headlines in 2005 after she told the Albuquerque Journal, in a story headlined “Hands-on Governor,” that Richardson had an “irritating and annoying habit” of poking and prodding her in public.

Unlike in many states where a governor appoints his or her running mate, in New Mexico, governors and lieutenant governors run separately in primaries and form a ticket only after they win their respective nominations.

“She has a reputation as being a competent politician, but she hasn’t been able to flex her own muscles outside of the shadow of Bill Richardson,” said New Mexico political analyst Joe Monahan. “People are stunned that she’s still not known, and that shows how hard it is to get name identification in a state when you’re second banana.”

Despite her low profile, however, she’s gotten off to a fast start in the governor’s race. Denish is not facing any Democratic opposition in the primary, with the state’s political establishment rallying behind her early on. Her toughest potential Republican opponent, former Rep. Heather Wilson, decided not to run, depriving Denish of any A-list general election opposition.

She holds a mammoth fundraising advantage over all her four declared Republican opponents — former state party Chairman Allen Weh, Dona Ana County district attorney Susana Martinez, state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and PR executive Doug Turner.

And her job performance numbers are the strongest in the state (52 percent approval; 20 percent disapproval), according to the Albuquerque Journal poll, numbers that many Democratic statewide officials would be envious of in these difficult economic times.

“She’s tough [and] experienced and runs political campaigns very well. Don’t expect her to be a wallflower,” said Monahan. “She’s the direct opposite of [Richardson]. After eight years of Richardson, she may sell well when the electorate is looking for a more low-key personality.”

Food Tax Would Hurt New Mexico Families

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

For many New Mexico families, budgets are tighter this holiday season than last – which means fewer gifts under the tree. But for other families, simply getting by is a struggle. During these difficult times, a broad-based tax on food to fix the budget shortfall is a bad idea and I will not support it, plain and simple.

Our state is facing serious budget challenges, no doubt about it. But we must not balance the budget on the backs of regular, hard-working New Mexico families. And when nearly one in four New Mexico children go to bed hungry, making it more difficult for their parents to buy basic food is simply unconscionable.

So when the Legislature convenes next month, where should lawmakers look to close the budget gap?

First and foremost, before anyone starts debating tax increases, legislators must do everything possible to make sure government is leaner and more efficient. They must not ask for more tax dollars until they can show that the tax dollars already coming in are being spent as efficiently as possible. I’ve proposed several areas where reform is needed, including overhauling the capital outlay system and ending the practice of double-dipping. Others have proposed additional reform ideas that require thoughtful consideration.

Once all possible reforms are debated and implemented, legislators should look to see who is gaming the system at the expense of the taxpayers. Right now, a loophole exists in New Mexico law that allows big, out-of-state corporations to get special breaks at the expense of New Mexico families and businesses. Haven’t we seen enough of these kinds of special breaks on Wall Street? We certainly want to create incentives for employers to create jobs, but New Mexicans are sick of these loopholes for the big guys – that’s a big part of what got our nation into this economic mess in the first place.

These are just a few ideas for reducing the state’s budget shortfall and I’m open to other good ideas as well.

But before legislators convene in January, they should send a clear message to New Mexicans that the food tax is off the table. We simply can not, in good conscience, support higher taxes on basic necessities at a time when so many families are struggling to get by.

I urge New Mexicans to contact their legislators and encourage them to oppose this costly, harmful tax increase.
Denish in New Mexico’s lieutenant governor and a Democratic candidate for governor.

Way Too Early for All This GOP Mud-Slinging

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

I've been around politics for many years. I know how elections are won and I know how the game is played. But I also know, and firmly believe in my heart, that there should be honor in the political process. After all, the winner of the coming governor's race will be referred to as "The Honorable" for the next four years.
        Unfortunately, from the Republican candidates for governor, we've seen very little of that.
        None of the four candidates running for the Republican nomination is well-known. None has ever held statewide office and they're all just now beginning to introduce themselves to New Mexicans.
        However, instead of introductions founded on ideas and solutions for our state, the Republican candidates are introducing themselves by publicly tearing someone else down. That someone, of course, is the front-runner, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.
        New Mexicans won't go to the polls for another year. But already, the Republicans are attacking Denish with the malice and recklessness that we usually don't see until the weeks right before an election.
        As a voter, I simply don't have the appetite for an entire year of this.
        Take two weeks ago for example. Denish announced several key reform ideas to save New Mexico taxpayers money, including overhauling the capital outlay system and eliminating double-dippers. These are solid, much-needed reforms that I believe must be implemented, but at the very least, they're worthy of public debate and discussion.
        Yet, the Republican candidates didn't offer their opinions. They didn't even offer constructive criticism. Instead, on the day that Denish proposed these reforms, the Republicans just found another reason to irresponsibly attack her character.
        The Republicans don't only attack Denish when she makes a statement herself, but they attack her for virtually anything that may appear in the news on a given day. If a state bureaucrat gets into trouble, the Republicans point their guns at Denish. When Gov. Bill Richardson makes an announcement, they unleash a flurry of press releases attacking Diane. When the Lobos lose another football game, the Republicans blame Diane. (Well, that hasn't actually happened yet, but wait.)
        I'm a little bit old school. I keep resisting being on Facebook and I don't "tweet." But if I did, my in-boxes would be filled every day with Republican attacks. Is this really the best way to use these new technologies?
        I've known Diane Denish for many years. While her positions on the issues are fair-game, there is nobody in New Mexico who has served our state with more honor and distinction.
        So to my Republican friends in the race, I say this: Elevate the level of discourse, please. Tell us where you stand on the issues. Tell us how you would balance the state budget or how you would strengthen the education system or create new jobs.
        But if the Republicans think Diane Denish is going to sit quietly and take this, then they don't know Diane Denish.
        Fred Harris is a UNM Professor Emeritus of Political Science. The former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma sought the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination.

Denish's Use of Stimulus Did Help Create Jobs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The Journal editorial in the Nov. 9 edition made a very good point about the use of federal economic recovery funds — they should be used to create jobs and stimulate the economy. We couldn't agree more.
       That's why we were shocked to read the editorial, which implied that Lt. Gov. Diane Denish “diverted” funds from job creation, when in reality, her use of these funds helped 1,800 New Mexico small businesses expand and create jobs.
       Our organization, the New Mexico Small Business Investment Council, joined with Lt. Gov. Denish to develop the Small Business Forums — opportunities for small business owners to meet with state officials to learn more about the programs available to them. Is funding these forums a good use of federal stimulus money? Absolutely — in fact, we couldn't imagine a better use.
       As members of the SBIC, we know there are many programs available to small businesses. But many New Mexico small business owners are simply unaware of what's available and they're missing opportunities. So needless to say, programs like our micro-lending initiative are only meaningful — and only create jobs — if small business owners understand how to access them.
       That's why it's absolutely critical that we promote these programs in communities across our state.
       Since 2003, Lt. Gov. Denish have been doing just that, in every corner of New Mexico. Participating small business owners are able to meet directly with the SBIC and our micro-lending partners WESST Corp, the Loan Fund and ACCION NM.
       Forums have taken place in towns like Alamogordo, Artesia, Carlsbad, Clayton, Clovis, Deming, Española, Farmington, Gallup, and Hobbs, just to name a few. Forums held in the last two years have drawn more than 600 people, a reflection of the need for assistance that small businesses have felt during the recent economic downturn.
       At these forums, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to meet with representatives one-on-one and get their questions answered on the spot. Since the forums began, hundreds of businesses in virtually every county in New Mexico have received lending capital from SBIC partners, in most cases these businesses would not have found lending through other conventional lenders. In the last five years, our lending partners are providing 350 new loans per year.
       The Small Business Forums have been a bright star amid this challenging economic time for our state and nation.
       Small businesses are the economic engine of our state and we're fortunate Denish has been a champion for our needs. So was the federal stimulus money to promote the small business forums well spent? The answer is found in the 1,800 New Mexico small businesses that have grown or created jobs as a result.

Diane Denish: Wearing the uniform, and its meaning

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Most often, we see them in uniform while we ourselves are traveling. We see them in major airports, frequently in the international terminals.

They almost always take me by surprise. No traveler looks like them. They wear the camouflage uniform that might lower a profile on a battlefield; they wear sand-colored boots; some carry large bags on their backs.

I always wonder where they going or where they have been. I wonder what they have seen that will change them forever.

Iraq? Afghanistan? Some other far off place we have seen fit to send them?

Or are they headed for yet more training, another base on American soil, where tragedy still may await them. I will think of Fort Hood now when I see them, a place of assumed safety turned into another horror.

When I see them, I invariably think about the separation that is commonplace among military families -- mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, kissing loved ones good-bye.

I look at them as a mother does and they seem impossibly young, the faces of boys and girls wearing the clothes of men and women. Then I remember: They are impossibly young - 18, 19, 20 years old, soon to age quickly at their country's behest.

The uniforms always raise these questions in my mind, but they do something else as well, and there is no question in it, only admiration: Whoever wears that uniform of the United States armed forces has chosen to give us a precious gift. They have chosen to give us years
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It makes no difference what job they do in the military. When we turn on the TV news, we see "the tip of the spear," those who see the fighting firsthand. But the "spear" requires hundreds of thousands of people we never see, all of them performing crucial tasks.

Those who will experience the worst war has to offer are a relatively small number. A huge logistical effort stands behind them.

They support them in myriad ways - they supply them, they repair their machinery, they care for them when they are injured, they move them halfway around the world at a moment's notice, they feed them, they clothe them, they ensure that a soldier gets paid and is given leave time to visit loved ones, they move the military paperwork. Oh, the paperwork!

In short, no matter the uniform, they all have a job to do and they willingly do it on our behalf. They give years of their lives in our defense.

It is a sacrifice I think of each time I see a man or woman in a military uniform and I am deeply grateful to them. We all should be.

On this Veterans Day, we should stop for a moment and give thanks to them.

We should redouble our efforts to repay them for their sacrifice.

We should make sure they are able to buy that first home, enter that first college class. When they are ill or injured, we need to be ready to care for them in the best possible way.

They have given of themselves to us. We should do no less for them.

Diane Denish is lieutenant governor of New Mexico.