Sen. Komadina
A lot of New Mexicans had to be pleasantly surprised last night when Big Bill broke ranks with the good ol' boy and gal network and actually endorsed a measure to have elected officials take annual drug tests. The Big Guy even said he would take one. Not that drug tests are necessarily the answer, and there may be some serious legal issues with imposing them, but the Guv, unlike the judges in Bernalillo County District Court, the NM Bar Association and the other elite legal groups in NM, has stood up and shown leadership, and more importantly, some respect for the rule of law.

His initial remarks on the report about possible cocaine use among four district court judges and a group of defense lawyers were also right on the mark. While many were shooting the report down as "unverified information" the Guv said it deserved to be looked into. Give him credit for not waiting weeks for the pressure to build.

The proposed drug testing bill comes from GOP State Sen. Steve Komadina, a medical doctor, who had to be as surprised as anyone that Big Bill signed on without much prodding. Of course, by the time the January session rolls around the politicos may be hoping the whole mess has fallen off the radar. But if the Guv is true to his word, Komadina has the beginnings of a bipartisan approach to do something, if not the controversial testing. It's sad that leading members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committee's have washed their hands of the matter. But those panels have been harbors of indifference and protectorates of the trial lawyers for years.

WHAT NOW?

Some questions flow from the Guv's comments. Will he ask his future judicial selections to voluntarily submit to the drug tests, and not await a law? What do the leading legal groups think about the Komadina legislation? (Don't hold your breath) What about the Judicial Standards Commission? Should it not follow up on the Guv's comments, or do we have to wait months, if not years, for a report that glazes over the scandal?

The surfacing of this scandal has been like a difficult childbirth. Excepting the Guv and a few legislators like Komadina and Kent Cravens, the body politic in our Land of the Laid Back has had to be brought kicking and screaming into the light of day. But what is most disappointing is the many lawyers who have made small fortunes honestly and have the independence to take action to restore confidence in the judiciary and yet have said nothing. Don't they owe something to the state that has given them so much? Or is that a "conflict of interest."

A PAYNEFUL ASSESSMENT

Weekly Alibi columnist and former ABQ City Councilor Greg Payne asks the most painful question about the District Court cocaine caper; a question first raised on this blog.

"Where would the Chief Justice of our State District Court buy cocaine? Tony Montana might have the answer, but a 57-year-old judge? Where does someone in his position go to score blow?

As much as any question pondered in the aftermath of Judge John Brennan’s arrest for DUI and cocaine possession it seems that is one that deserves a definitive answer. The argument that alcohol and cocaine are both drugs and bad for you is the stuff of a college bull session in this case. Cocaine is, by any statutory definition, highly illicit and one of our most respected jurists was caught in possession of it. How’d he get it?"

NM's GOP BIG APPLE CREW

Because you area political junkie, here is a complete list of the NM delegates who will attend the Republican National Convention in New York City In September:

Sen. Pete Domenici, Rep. Heather Wilson, Cynthia Pearce, John Gonzales, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, Jack Fortner, Ken Zangara, John Sanchez, Bob Carter, Jeannette Wallace, Former U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan, Jane Powdrell-Culbert, Sharon Clahcischilliage, Rick Lopez, Jesse Dompreh, Rowena Baca, Phil Archuletta, State Sen. Joe Carraro, JoAnn Johnson, Jonathan Collard, and Ceil Levatino.

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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