Battling Jerome Block better get ready to vacate the premises at the state Public Regulation Commission. That's the word from legal observers who were at the Supreme Court hearing this past week where Block argued that he should be allowed to seek another four year term to the job that pays over 90k a year, plus $300,000 for staff and expenses for each commissioner.
Block went to court after the Attorney General's office ruled he has served the two permitted terms and must get out. But Block says because one of those terms was for only two years, he is entitled to one more bite out of the apple. Readers of the tea leaves at the hearing tell me the Justices' questioning did not appear disposed to Block's pleading. "It would be a shocker if the court went with him based on the tenor of the questions," said our inside source. "But it's risky business predicting any court ruling, so never say never."
Block has been on the PRC since it morphed from the State Corporation Commission in 98.' Block served on that panel as well. The seat is safe Democratic, takes in a big chunk of Northern New Mexico and also sneaks into Bernalillo County. Win or lose, Block will have opponents in the June Democratic primary for the seat. Former State Senator Art Rodarte of Espanola and City Councilor Miguel Gomez are two of the names being bandied about. And outgoing Bernalillo County Commissioner Steve Gallegos could be another seeker. His friends could not tell me if he resides in the Block district or the Lovejoy district. Dems Bob Perls and Keith Dotson are already in the race.
The PRC has done no better than the old SCC and has been the focus of constant controversy, despite the high paying commissioners, who make nearly as much as the governor. Talk continues about abolishing the panel and making it appointive, but there may be reluctance in the Legislature. After all, some of them may want the big bucks job down the road.
ADELE BACA CINELLI HUNDLEY
She has a storied political past and wants to make some future waves. Former ABQ City Councilor Adele Hundley is running for the Dem nomination for the state senate seat being vacated by Congressional hopeful Richard Romero. The ABQ Downtown/Barelas seat has already drawn columnist and liberal activist Jerry Ortiz y Pino. Adele was married to the late Gene Cinelli in the early 70's and took his state House seat two years after he passed away. She is a Democrat but with old ties to GOP Senator Pete Domenici. Her maiden name is Baca giving her strength in the heavy Hispanic district. And she is married to former Mortgage Finance Authority Director Tom Hundley. Adele lost her city council seat to Eric Griego in 01.' It will be the new versus old in this contest, which could draw more candidates before it's all over. Ortiz y Pino has signed up the newcomer consulting group Soltari while Hundley will rely on her lifelong district ties. Republicans need not apply in the solidly Democratic district.
ROMERO SAYS BIG BILL IS HIS MAN, BUT IS BIG BILL HIS?
At the first meeting of the three contenders for the Democratic nomination for the Wilson Congressional seat, Romero opined that Big Bill was in his corner. That was news to his opponents, Miles Nelson and Eli Chavez. Nelson was miffed hat envelopes with a Bill endorsement on them went out to voters. But the envelopes were from Romero's race two years ago, and Bill's spokesman said there is no official primary endorsement. But that did not stop the Senate President Pro Tem from flatly declaring that Bill is supporting him.
Romero may have done a little deal with Bill when he reversed course during the recent special session and supported the Guv's tax increases. But alligators in the Valley pounced on that and told me Romero made a huge mistake by not having the Guv introduce a redistricting measure in the special in exchange for his support of the tax increase. Not only did Romero end up supporting the controversial tax package, but he did not get redistricting. Bill attended a Romero fundraiser recently, probably as part of Romero's support for the taxes. But that ain't much of a Christmas present for Richard, who has an uphill battle against the GOP Congresswoman, and maybe even a little trouble in the primary against Nelson and Chavez. Then again, some of the alligators swear that Senator Pete cut a deal with Big Bill to protect the Wilson seat in exchange for Domenici supporting the September Conny Two Amendment vote, and that Bill's hands are tied.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave in this lovely land of La Politica.
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
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