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Political Hay
Wasting No Time in the Land of Enchantment
New Mexico’s new Gov. Susana Martinez means business.
Several new Republican governors have assumed office since President Obama’s election, with Tea Party hopes that waves would be made. New Jersey’s Chris Christie has been hard to top for showmanship, and the Blue State victories of Scott Walker in Wisconsin and Paul LePage in Maine were surprises. But perhaps none of the new state executives matched the first-week splash made by New Mexico’s Susana Martinez.
Inaugurated on New Year’s Day, the former state “Prosecutor of the Year” — known for focusing on cases involving public corruption and child abuse — set about cleaning house from outgoing Democrat Bill Richardson’s administration. And facing a $450 million deficit, she began to fulfill her campaign promise to cut government spending.
“We have experienced, in the last eight years, huge spending way beyond our means,” Martinez told a local Fox affiliate. “I talked about it for 15 months as I was running for office. I was going to get the exempts [political appointees who serve at the pleasure of the governor] to resign or be fired, and then we’re going to cut back the number of exempt positions we have to what is necessary. It has nothing to do with politics.”
Well it may be a little more than “nothing,” but in the case of Richardson’s roughshod running over business on behalf of environmental extremists in the state, that’s all right. In her opening days Martinez took immediate steps to correct her predecessor’s policy blunders.
In addition to the usual good-government directives that are often issued on governors’ opening days, Martinez addressed her other top priorities in her initial executive orders — namely, the economy. Her first froze “all proposed and pending” rules until a small business task force could “identify red-tape regulations that are harmful to business growth and job creation in New Mexico.”
Also, true to her law-and-order reputation, she rejected proposed legislative cuts to the state’s corrections system and instead recommended a cut to the New Mexico Environment Department, from $14.2 million to $11.2 million.
But the step that perhaps best illustrated her intentions to rein in environoiac excess was in her terse firing of the state’s Environmental Improvement Board. The unelected panel, filled with Richardson appointees, was riddled with conflicts of interest and pushed a Schwarzeneggerish cap-and-trade agenda for the state. EIB Chairman Gregory Green, for example, served while simultaneously lobbying for environmental organizations that signed a petition under consideration by the board. A similar conflict afflicted the previous chair, Gay Dillingham.
The bluntness with which Martinez canned the EIB members was refreshing, as she telegraphed her seriousness about rolling back environmental overreach by including her chilly letter language in her press release! :
Dear (Member):
Thank you for your service to the State of New Mexico by serving on the Environmental Improvement Board. This letter is to inform you that I am removing you as a member of the Environmental Improvement Board. Your removal is effective immediately.
But she more clearly spelled out her reasons for their dismissal in the release as well:
New Mexico has recently suffered from an anti-business environment exacerbated by policies which discourage economic development and result in businesses setting up shop across state lines. Unfortunately, the majority of EIB members have made it clear that they are more interested in advancing political ideology than implementing common-sense policies that balance economic growth with responsible stewardship in New Mexico.
The actions of the EIB could not have been sleazier, as James Taylor of the Heartland Instititute reported:
The EIB…conducted controversial global warming hearings in the summer and fall of 2010. State legislators and consumer advocates accused the EIB hearings as being little more than a kangaroo court run by environmental activists with a predetermined agenda to impose costly and restrictive carbon dioxide rules on the New Mexico economy. EIB was widely criticized for blocking the testimony of citizens and experts who sought to testify regarding the high costs and limited environmental benefits of EIB’s proposed carbon dioxide restrictions.
EIB was also widely criticized for the timing of its formal announcement that it would impose the controversial carbon dioxide restrictions. EIB waited until Election Day to formally announce its decision, which conveniently kept the highly unpopular restrictions from being a decisive election issue. At the same time, by making its announcement prior to the new governor taking office, EIB put Gov. Martinez in a potentially sticky political situation of blocking a regulation already supported an approved by EIB.
About the Author
Paul Chesser is executive director for the American Tradition Institute and a senior fellow for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. The views he expresses do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (54) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.13.11 @ 6:38AM
Another Republican woman with gonads!
Now, if only some Republican males could grow some!
TerriHaute| 1.13.11 @ 7:57AM
Wow, New Mexico! Congratulations on electing the right person to be Governor. I predict that New Mexico will see a lot of economic growth as a result. The U.S. needs more governors like Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Susana Martinez.
GreginOkinawa| 1.13.11 @ 8:04AM
Although I work and reside in Okinawa, Japan, New Mexico is still my home of record and, and I can PROUDLY say, I voted for her!
J Kelley| 1.13.11 @ 8:24AM
Compare this Governor with the Governor of Illinois, who is about to sign a 66% tax increase. Also this is a good example of how effective a real Republican can be as opposed to a RINO.
donserge| 1.13.11 @ 8:37AM
Thank God for the conservative women in the country. There are too many conservative men like Boehner who, when asked what specific programs he would cut, said "I can't think of any of the top of my head" . This from a man second in line from the presidency.
Aaron| 1.13.11 @ 3:56PM
Boehner is a RINO, he has never been conservative
old white guy| 1.13.11 @ 4:20PM
why the hell did the voters not get rid of him?
Quartermaster| 1.13.11 @ 7:44PM
Ohio has a record of electing RINOS and other incompetents and keeping them around forever. Look at how long Glenn and Metzenbaum stuck around. It didn't matter how sorry they were, or how much damage they did to the state and its reputation, they were re-elected.
That's just Ohio.
burkanuck| 1.17.11 @ 1:07PM
"This from a man second in line from the presidency."
Does that mean we don't have to be concerned about Joe Biden becoming president if something happened to President Obama? WHEW! Tht's a relief!
burkanuck| 1.17.11 @ 1:09PM
OOPS!
Disregard that last comment. I read it as "for the presidency" not "from the presidency".
My bad.
UFO UFOS| 3.2.12 @ 4:36AM
OOPS! UFO
joe splieg| 1.13.11 @ 8:46AM
How about a 2012 Rubio/Martinez ticket to really drive the "Repubs are racist against Latinos" Left nuts!
Frisbee| 1.13.11 @ 8:31PM
Or include Alan Keyes or Herman Cain to build a black-Latino coalition!!
Impeach Don't Wait| 1.13.11 @ 10:44PM
Shazam!!
Sea_Hunter| 1.13.11 @ 8:50AM
What is truly frightening about Gov. Martinez's program is that it will work. Every half brained, crackpot, agenda driven AGW nut case in the United States is going to come after this program with blood in his eyes. The enviormentalists of the entire world can not allow such a program to have any success of any kind. If (and when) it works, the enviormentalists will see their agenda falling appart.
Then there are the progressives who wish to use the enviorment as a means of crushing the American echonomy. If Gov. M's program works, they will rapidly lose the very tool they wish to use. After all, other states might try the very same thing. The Progressives can not allow that to happen.
Expect to see protestors comeing out in force. Expect the MSM to lable and lible the Governor in every possible way. Here comes the Greenpeace people, and they will look at Gov. M through the same eyes they use to look at a Japanese whaleing ship, and I suspect with equal peaceful intent.
Then you have the Federal Government. Don't dismiss the power of the EPA. The more that the New Mexico plan works, the more the EPA will substitute regulation for common sense, dictums for reason. You can count on the EPA to come down on New Mexico like a snow storm in England. Wait, there weren't suppose to be any more snow storms in England, that's what the AGW people were saying only two years ago. Anyway, I'm sure if you are intellegent enough to read this blog, you get my drift.
Bill H, you are right. He has a pair, brass bound. And before this is over, he is going to need them.
Sea_Hunter| 1.13.11 @ 8:53AM
CORRECTION: Last paragraph should read; "Bill H, your are right. She has a pair, brass bound." Sorry, typeing way too fast. SH
major| 1.15.11 @ 12:42AM
She just needs the courage of a Sarah Pallin, another lady who has brass 'b***ls...it may turn out that only women will have the courage to save America.
Natural Born Texican| 1.13.11 @ 9:32AM
What a breath of fresh air!!!!!!
Your neighbor to the east in the big state says, way to go Gov. Martinez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stmichrick| 1.13.11 @ 9:37AM
When are conservatives going to institute a media event like the Kennedy organizations' profile-in-courage award? The media laps up these showcases of politicians growing government.
We need higher media visibility of the actions of people like Governor Martinez to give encouragement to others around the country. I should not have to rely on the Spectator to hear about them.
Doctor Right| 1.13.11 @ 9:52AM
Kudos to Governor Martinez!
If I may, could I adapt her letter, and re-frame it as one delivered in early 2013 to Federal Workers by the new Republican President?
"Dear (Government Drone):
Thank you for your service to the Federal Government of the United States of America by serving as an unelected, unaccountable bureaucrat at (insert useless Federal agency).
This letter is to inform you that I am removing you as a bureaucrat at the (insert useless Federal agency). Your removal is effective immediately.
Please don't feel bad; most of your colleagues at (insert useless Federal agency) have also been dismissed, so you'll have plenty of friends with whom to commiserate. In fact, the entire (insert useless Federal agency) has been abolished, so Former Secretary (insert name of useless bureaucratic chief) is available to chat as well. He/she can be reached at (insert personal home phone number).
Thanks! It's been a slice of heaven!
President T. Partee
Ted| 1.13.11 @ 10:26AM
President T. Partee.... That is classic!
bob alou| 1.13.11 @ 9:53AM
Now let's see if she does the right thing with the State Game Commission appointments and eliminates the cronyism, pay-to-play, lopsided land swap giveaways that were a hallmark of the Richardson era.
DTMB| 1.13.11 @ 10:09AM
Is it too early or not appropriate to call Gov. Martinez "A Wise Latina Woman"?
Occam's Tool| 1.13.11 @ 11:16AM
I worked in the New Mexico correctional system under Richardson as a staff psychiatrist. I have never had such interference in the day to day treatment of patients in my life. Under Richardson, it was a corrupt, sleazy cesspool. No wonder he gets along with North Koreans so well.
RCV| 1.13.11 @ 12:35PM
Richardson was not only corrupt, but stupid and lazy as well.
Truth to Power| 1.13.11 @ 2:27PM
Well said. New Mexico, however, is a step up from the Chicago sewer pit that gave us President Obama. Richardson and Obama are both patrons. They capture the votes of the stupid and fill the pockets of their friends. It all sounds great to the uninformed but never delivers. Hope and change indeed.
Richard Baker| 1.13.11 @ 10:17AM
DTMB:
Comparing the New Mexico Governor to the Associate Justice is like comparing brainy to brain-dead. We are all "Enchanted."
Petronius| 1.13.11 @ 10:18AM
Bravo
The only thing missing from those pink slips was a P.S. telling the ecoweenies to go kiss a cactus. They're all political parasites who make their livings by driving up the costs of ours.
DomLopez| 1.13.11 @ 10:56AM
I'm sure all these comments are coming outside of New Mexico, meaning that they have no idea what Gov. Martinez is really doing. Yes I support these decisions, but that's the really easy part. The problem is she has put some of the most incompetent people in the state in charge of doing the dirty work of getting the actual results, and that's where she is going to trip. TRUST ME, she doesn't know what she's really talking about. She's being propped up by a bunch of people that are trying to make money off of her and who wanted state government jobs because they couldn't get real jobs in the outside world. She ain't "wise" by any means.....just wait and see.
David Houston| 1.13.11 @ 5:39PM
DomLopez, I am a New Mexican also and I can assure you that Susana will be a breath of fresh air compared to the piece of crap we have had running this state for the last 8 yrs. With support from conservatives she will bring industry and business to NM which will mean more jobs and prosperity. If we could get all the conservative governors to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and take back states rights and tell the federal gov. to go take a flying leap, we would all be better off.
native nm| 1.15.11 @ 3:49PM
speaking from first hand knowledge, she is a puppet 2 Jay Mccluskey and writes at a ninth grade level.
Richard Baker| 1.13.11 @ 11:08AM
DomLopez:
Did you get one of her letters?
Fred Chorro| 1.13.11 @ 11:08AM
If every elected Republican Governor implemented some form of the "Palin Doctrine of Governorship" we would see more of these results. Siga adelante Senora Gobernadora!
Pete| 1.13.11 @ 11:12AM
If she rounded up all the corrupt Bill Richardson appointees, she'd have to build another jail.
InLineFour| 1.13.11 @ 3:01PM
Maybe this Senora Gobernadora is also showing the wisdom of learning from others' mistakes: look at all the grief Goerge W. suffered as a result of not cleaning house of all the Clinton bureaucrats..
rachel| 1.13.11 @ 3:41PM
Used to know her brother in El Paso. I was a direct marketer (peddler) and he runs a small business. He always helped our sales when we needed it. They are very down to earth people.
Cape Conservative| 1.13.11 @ 3:55PM
GREAT to read!!! Another 'mama grizzly' who isn't going to hold back from doing what is RIGHT!
I hope the wishy-washy Republicans, both male and female, watch and learn!!!!!!!
M| 1.13.11 @ 4:25PM
Where does Susana Martinez stand on immigration?
Immigration is the greatest issue of our age. While, in theory, other bad policies can be undone -- once the U.S. demographically becomes Brazil there's no going back.
George W. Starch III| 1.13.11 @ 5:31PM
While I've never even met her, I think I'm in love with your new Governor. Love her thought process.
Nite| 1.13.11 @ 10:23PM
Gov. Martinez can NOT be any worse than Richardson. These liberal nut jobs and their Cap and Trade garbage and global warming hype is destroying this country. Frankly, I hope the voters all wise up and boot them out of office. Republicans need to do their part and roll back some of the damage done the past two years.
Osamas Pajamas| 1.14.11 @ 12:57AM
Exactly so --- another Republican woman with more gonads than many Republican men. C'mon, guys! What's that all about?! Geez.
Osamas Pajamas| 1.14.11 @ 12:59AM
You know, we've gotta give the Feds a little postage stamp to stand on --- let's call it the "District of Columbia" or some such claptrap. Then put them all inside it. And slam the frkn door. And lock it up tighter than Hillary's moneymaker.
Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 1.14.11 @ 2:42AM
We need more of this person. Many, many more.
Donna| 1.14.11 @ 8:13AM
I am jealous NM. We conservatives had to hold our nose and vote in Georgia. We have so many RINO’s in Georgia that couldn’t stomach the Democratic Party any longer and moved to Republican. At the end of the day, we have girly men RINO’s running the show-just like Arnold in CA. I pray he has a set of brass ones like Martinez. Best wishes to your new govnr and State as you embark on your revitalization from the oppression of the Liberals.
Pecos Pete| 1.14.11 @ 8:38AM
Gov M is a jewel. I voted for her. She gets an A+ from me for her actions up to now. I hope she keeps the pedal to the metal and continues with common sense actions.
I heard on the radio that she has ordered that all documents requested from the NM government by the federal grand jury investigating a possible corruption case re NM government investments ... all documents to be released. These document releases have been refused by King Bill's administration.
Pedal to the metal!
Jose| 1.14.11 @ 4:52PM
From this New Mexican...
Rush Limbaugh said, "I hope he fails." Reference Obama.
My thought about Governor Martinez is... "I hope she succeeds." (emphasis - succeeds)
NStahl| 1.14.11 @ 5:02PM
She might as well go full-bore (oops) on the Dem/lefties. They already hate her for going after two of the Dem/leftie core constituent groups-corrupt government officials and child molesters.
MAJOR| 1.15.11 @ 12:34AM
Bravo Governor, your actions will set the example for the other Governors in the Western States as to how we need to clean house.
How did NM get so lucky to get your leadership. I am in California and would love to fire most of the State government tomorrow.
Not Perfect | 1.16.11 @ 4:29PM
Now that's a Lady with CLASS! Environment Improvement Board, Environment Protection Agency, Wolves in Sheep's clothing. Beware!
The Major| 1.16.11 @ 11:52PM
we lived in Albuquerque in 82-3. After the 1st Mex-Am Gov.,,Tony Anaya was elected,,if you were NOT a Mex.,,,no jobs.Hopefully this Gov. will change that & be fair to all peoples. Bill R. was starting out then & no none liked him ,,too political. That year the Navajo Talkers & the VFW cancelled the Veteran's day parade because 'the Wall' in DC stole their thunder.Next year,,no crybabies,,& the parade went on. Long story short,,after Gov. Martinez kicks out the EPA nuts & makes the land of enchantment business friendly again,,I hope she has the guts to Seal The Border tight.
Hey Guys,,how about Christie-Martinez in 2012?
driguana| 1.17.11 @ 9:20PM
Another interesting battle for her is going to tak eplace over the tax incentive program for the film industry. Lots of movies filmed here over the recent years and quite a bit of new film production infrastructure popping up She wants to cut or cut back on the incentives. A fight essentially between conservatives and liberal movie people.....call us Holywood not Hollywood!
Adidas | 8.11.11 @ 5:41AM
is good
العاب | 4.10.12 @ 12:52PM
very nic . thank you