Sen. Wirth

Majority Leader Peter Wirth says it is the state Senate's decision to convene in person and to reject a virtual special session. That raises questions about the health and well-being of the 42 member body and whether the senators should be tested for the coronavirus before rambling around the Roundhouse in mid-June to deal with the state budget crisis.

The issue is especially relevant because individuals in their 70's an 80's have shown the most vulnerability to the virus and the Senate has a fair share of members in that demographic.

They include Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith who turns 79 in July and Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, the chamber's oldest member, at 88. Senate Minority Leader Stu Ingle is 72. ABQ Senator Bill Tallman is 79. Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino is 77. Senator Pat Woods is 71 and Senator Bobby Gonzales is near 70.

The virus could abate more before the special, but health experts say the risk will benaround for months if not years. That’s all the more reason for the Senate to test its members before the session, isolate anyone stricken with the virus and keeping the session short and sweet.

Speaker Egolf tells us the House will convene at the start of the special to change the rules so it can meet in virtual session. He says plans call for having members enter the House one at a time to cast their votes after a meeting of the Rules Committee on the House floor. After the rules change members would then attend the session remotely from a location of their choosing.

The House is a much younger body than the Senate but in this case is exercising more caution. The Senate, traditionally more recalcitrant, is not bending on an in-person session.

SECRET COUNCIL

MLG has earned high grades for her coronavirus performance but she’s taking hits for what critics call a significant misstep when she decided to have her newly formed Economic Recovery Council conduct meetings behind closed doors.

The Council is arguably one of the most important advisory panels in state history as it will advise the Governor on how and when to reopen the New Mexican economy shut down because of the virus. That is the ultimate in public business that merits full transparency. Otherwise, the state risks charges of favoritism, cronyism and corruption.

Critics dismissed the Council as a panel of mostly lightweights but looked the other way as they celebrated the administration's pivot to the economy which had been getting stepchild treatment. But the closure of the council meetings is seen as a step backwards. A panel headed by a well-known and seasoned public figure such as former Governor Garrey Carruthers and a policy of open meetings would seem to be in order.

 DA SPOKESMAN CHARGED

First he was placed on administrative leave now Michael Patrick, the public information officer for Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez, has been fired. That's a result of his being charged in a high-profile domestic violence case involving his wife, KOAT-TV anchor Shelly Ribando, and 8 year old daughter. Torrez's office said:

The police report, and responding officer lapel videos, revealed that Mr. Patrick failed to meet this office’s high standards and engaged in conduct unacceptable for any employee of this office.

Patrick, 50, has been charged with one count of battery after allegedly shoving Ribando to the floor during an argument. A bond arraignment is slated for May 14. The incident occurred April 14 but the APD criminal summons was not filed until Friday.

After release of lapel camera video taken at the couple's NE Heights Tanoan home, APD has been getting flack for how it investigated the case. ABQ Report covered that angle.

Although Patrick's 8 year old daughter told police that during the incident "he kinda pushed me too," Patrick was not charged with committing battery on her.

Politically this is a hot button case for Democrat Torrez who is unopposed for re-election this year in both the June primary and the November general election. However, he is widely expected to seek the 2022 Dem nomination for attorney general. How the Patrick case settles out could play a role in that contest which is expected to draw a number of Dem contenders.

Torrez says any criminal prosecution of Patrick will be conducted by an independent special prosecutor. Any hints of favoritism in handling the case of a high ranking member of his office could provide fodder for his foes. The fact that Patrick is charged with abusing one of the best known women in the state ensures the case won't be forgotten.

BIG BILL'S PLAN

Bill Richardson

We get this from former Gov. Bill Richardson's Center for Global Engagement office in Santa Fe:

. . . Richardson and Actors Edward James Olmos and Danny Trejo have joined forces to create a fund to assist families in the hard hit Colonias-area of Southern New Mexico. The Governor Richardson, Olmos, Trejo COVID-19 Emergency Fund for the Southern Colonias of Doña Ana County will offer cash assistance to individuals and families. Daily life in the Colonias was challenging even before COVID-19. Many communities lack infrastructure like paved roads and functioning sewer systems. The pandemic has only increased the economic strain. . .

“The Colonias have always had a special place in my heart. . .The impact of this pandemic on the Colonias. . . has been catastrophic. We wanted to do something that provided immediate assistance to families who have been impacted by this crisis which threatens the health and the economic well-being of so many families.” Richardson said.

Donation to the Colonias fund can be made here.

Last month Richardson started a similar relief fund to boost medical supplies to the Navajo Nation. Donations to that fund can be made here.

Richardson, 72, a former UN Ambassador, served two terms as NM Governor from 2003-2011.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020