Monday, January 18, 2021ABQ Loses Another Big Catch As Space Command Goes Elsewhere; Was It Really All Politics? Plus: Arrest Of Cowboys For Trump Leader Keeps Heat On Herrell That these decisions often stray into the political is well-known. That's why state's push their congressional delegations to accumulate seniority and committee power. There seems little question that the Space Command decision was partly Trump payback. But let's look at the reasons the Air Force gives for picking Huntsville before joining with our upset Senators who are demanding an investigation of the decision. The Air Force says: Huntsville compared favorably across more of these factors than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs,” Additionally, Redstone Arsenal offered a facility to support the headquarters, at no cost, while the permanent facility is being constructed. Does ABQ have a "large qualified workforce?" At a recent economic forum there were complaints that hundreds of highly skilled technical jobs remain vacant in the metro area because there are few qualified applicants. Clearly, we fail that test. Does ABQ have "quality schools?" That's debatable. We have some, however, we also have an abundance of poor performing public schools and a low high school graduation rate to show for it. So ABQ again fails a key test. Does ABQ have "superior infrastructure capacity?" If the Air Force means electricity supply, telecommunications, water supply, roads and a solid health sector, we do pretty well. But superior? ABQ doesn't fail this test but it doesn't ace it either. Does ABQ have "low initial and recurring costs?" Yes, compared to many cities ABQ offers reasonable construction costs and does not have an outlandishly high cost of living. We pass that test. So, for four key factors the Air Force considered it appears that ABQ failed two, was neutral in one and passed one. Until the congressional delegation and other Space Command cheerleaders recognize the difficult realities of 21st ABQ and lay better plans to alter them, we will suffer more "big catch" disappointments like this one and the Tesla rebuff--even with a Democrat in the White House. KEEPING THE HEAT ON
(Criminal complaint here.) State Dems are keeping the heat on. They come with this on southern GOP US Rep. Yvette Herrell, an avid support of the Cowboys: Republicans who have worked closely with or openly embraced Cowboys for Trump have remained silent. Herrell, GOP Chair Steve Pearce, and Minority Leader Jim Townsend have all refused to issue statements. . . Herrell and Minority Leader Jim Townsend have both praised Cowboys for Trump in the past, with Representative Herrell saying the endorsement of Cowboys for Trump is one she is the "most proud of.” But former Dem congressional aide and econ consultant Terry Brunner says the Dems have themselves to blame in part for Griffin's dangerous rise: I suggested to NM Dem officials that they spend to defeat Griffin in 2018. He had an arrest record and was not fit to serve. We had a good candidate and Dems could have beat him. Now look what a cancer this person has become. Lesson to Party leaders: Grow your party beyond the Rio Grande corridor and spend more time focusing on local races. That’s where crazies like this guy are incubated.
AG Balderas says if Griffin doesn't resign, he will seek his removal from the Otero County Commission for participating in the "violent insurrectionist attack" on the Capitol. Balderas says that action violates Griffin's oath of public office. If there's a NM congressional representative who has gotten off to a worse start than Yvette Herrell, we don't know about it. And with Trump set to hover even after he leaves office, the worst could lie ahead. This is the home of New Mexico politics. Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021 |
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