Tuesday, June 26, 2018Readers Track Susana In Taiwan While Her Old Allies Hop Into Racino Chase, And: It's Unity Minus One For Garcia Richard Martinez. . . arrived in Taiwan Saturday on a week-long visit to promote bilateral cooperation, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). During her visit, Martinez. . .will meet with officials and executives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (and others) Members of the governor's delegation include her Chief of Staff Keith Gardner, Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel, and Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Ken McQueen, according to the release. MOFA said it hoping that their visit will help build cooperation between Taiwan and New Mexico in the areas of economics, trade, education, culture, and energy technology. And more. Another reader points out that the NM Trade Alliance is sponsoring a seminar this week on "Doing Business in Taiwan." On the conspiracy front (always popular around here) a reader wonders if Martinez isn't still hunting for a job with the Trump administration by brushing up on foreign policy. Also on that front, rumors that Lt. Governor John Sanchez might be in line for an ambassadorship from Trump have gone cold. Guess you can return that Panama hat, John. A FINAL FEED It appears to be one of the last feedings at the trough for some name players in the Governor's political machine. Yesterday we told you about the competition underway for the state's sixth and final racino that will be awarded by the State Racing Commission and Gaming Control Board. Today a Senior Alligator informs that ABQ attorney Pat Rogers and former BernCo Sheriff Darren White, both of whom are tight as a tick with Susana, have signed up to work on behalf of Laguna Development, one of several groups vying for the racino and which wants to locate it near Clovis. But hold on. . . Weren't Pat and Darren up to their kneecaps in the so-called Dirty Downs Deal over the awarding of the racino lease for the Downs at ABQ? They sure were. Darren even got a job at the Downs after the lease deal was secured by Paul Blanchard and company. And weren't Pat and Darren in 2011 on the opposite side of Laguna Development which competed but lost the lease deal and pondered filing a lawsuit over the denial? Yep. Well, maybe Laguna is doing the old "if you can't beat them, join them" thing. As we've said ad nauseam there's only one rule to follow in monitoring the Guv's machine and that is "Follow the money." And then there's longtime PNM lobbyist Art Hull. Our Senior Gator informs that this member in very good standing with the Martinez crowd is working on behalf of a group that is trying to locate the final casino near Tucumcari. Looks as if Susana has this one covered from a lot of angles. BORDER REASONING We mentioned Monday that there has been relatively little talk about what is causing immigrants to flock to the US border--the chaos in Central American countries that make them flee--to which reader Tom Miles says: Maybe one reason no one wants to talk about the real problem, i.e. drug cartels and violence in Central America, is that the U.S. government was so complicit in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s overthrow of their “leftist” governments? UNITY MINUS ONE Dem land commissioner nominee Stephanie Garcia Richard is holding a "Unity Fundraiser" following a bruising primary in which she defeated Garrett VeneKlasen and State Senator George Munoz. But there's something missing from the event: I want to thank Garrett VeneKlasen for meeting with me and pledging to do whatever necessary to make sure a Democrat is elected in November and we truly can transform the state land office. Check out what GVK had to say about why he's stepping up to help! Maybe Stephanie forgot to ask George to come. Hey, George, the party is this Wednesday at 1714 Upper Canyon Rd in Santa Fe. RSVP to SGR@StephanieGarciaRichard.com. Have fun, George. Or not. This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018 |
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