The ABQ International Balloon Fiesta--the state's premier annual tourism event--has thrown in the towel or, if you prefer, deflated their balloons. As expected this year's fiesta has been canned because of the pandemic. Likely soon to follow is the September State Fair. Both events generate gobs of gross receipts revenue for the city of ABQ, not to mention crucial revenue for business and jobs.

Our check of local small businesses show many now open but most of the proprietors (dry cleaners, shoe repair etc.) tell us business remains slow--very slow.

The Legislature had an eye on that during its special session--at least when it was not fawning over lawmakers who were defeated at polls at the June 2 primary election. The senate spent an entire half-day of  the session mourning the losses of conservative Dem Senators while voters in their districts were celebrating their imminent departures. Well, that's Club Santa Fe. It never is quite sure what the real word is thinking--or doesn't want to know.

The Senate adjourned Saturday and the House joined them Monday but not before approving $400 million for low interest small business loans that should help some of the small fry from filing bankruptcy papers. Unfortunately, it is too late for many others. The bill also puts aside $100 million for loans to bail out cities and towns like Santa Fe which faces an estimated $100 million deficit due to the pandemic.

And mandating body cameras for law enforcement was approved as the House wrapped up business early Monday evening. The political impact is on ABQ, where BernCo Sheriff Manny Gonzales is considering a challenge next year to fellow Dem and ABQ Mayor Tim Keller. Gonzales' refusal to use the cameras may now become a nonissue. However there are plenty of multi-million dollar lawsuit settlements and other Sheriff's department bungling to keep the Keller opposition team on the job.

PPP POLL

A poll from the Dem oriented PPP firm is being attacked by the state GOP for lacking credibility because it depends on robocalls to landlines and text messages to cellphone voters. The survey, conducted June 12-13 among 740 NM voters, shows Trump losing the state to Biden 53 to 39 with 8 percent unsure. In the US Senate race the survey has Dem Rep. Ben Ray Lujan leading Republican nominee Mark Ronchetti by 14 points, 48-34 with 18 percent unsure. MLG's job approval rating is put at 52 percent, 33 disapprove and 15 are unsure. Her handling of the coronavirus gets 57 percent approval, 34 disapprove and 9 are unsure. Full poll is here.

Sabato's Crystal Ball rates the Prez contest in NM "likely D." The Cook Political Report rates the Senate race "likely D."

PPP says the margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 3.6 percent.

MILWAUKEE BOUND

Selfie Expert Colón

State Dems have finalized their list of delegates to the 2020 Dem National Convention to be held at Milwaukee the week of August 17:

 New Mexico Democrats elected 23 Congressional delegates, 4 Party Leader and Elected Official delegates, and 7 At-large delegates, who will join New Mexico’s 11 automatic delegates.

The full delegate list is here and includes State Auditor Brian Colón, also known as the most photographed man in New Mexico. Expect plenty of selfies from Milwaukee.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020