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Thursday, September 11, 2025City Paying To Air Keller Speech On TV May Violate FCC Rules But His Foes Can't Cash In, Plus: White's Cash Coffers Still Short Of The Mark, And: More FeedBack On Universal Childcare Plan
Republican contender Darren White rightfully pointed out in a letter to the stations, including KRQE-TV and KOAT, that coming so close to the November 4 election the address constitutes a political appeal and rallying cry by Keller. The FCC equal time rule is clear that officials in an election cycle can get airtime for "bona fide" news events without triggering the equal time rule but in this case the paid for speech is clearly not that. However the impact of Keller's aggressive move may be academic. The 30 minute speech will air five different times across five stations. That's 150 minutes for each of his opponents--but not for free. The stations are obligated to offer the same amount of time to those candidates but can do so for the same price Keller paid. With most of the campaigns cash-starved and the speech airing in low-watched non primetime slots, there isn't much incentive for Keller's foes to take the stations up on their offer. The KRQE manager says his group of stations stands ready to sell air time to White and the others. To which the reply might be, "well, thanks for nothing." So go moral victories in a political campaign. But why is the city paying to broadcast any State of the City speech? It started during the pandemic when there was some reasoning for it, but with that over and free social media outlets so numerous, that reasoning is in the rear view mirror. Candidate Alex Uballez is calling on Keller's campaign to pay the city back the money spent on the TV time. MORE ON WHITE  At this point a unified GOP would have White with $500,000 in cash. In his Sept. 8 report, White reports total fund-raising of $199,000, spending of $68,000 including $39,000 for services from McCleskey. That left him with cash of $130,000. The big GOP money is simply not flowing to him. His contributions include $20,000 from the owners of the Downs at ABQ, the racetrack and casino that makes their home at the state fairgrounds and that could be moved under plans being studied by MLG. White, who once worked at the Downs, is opposed to moving the fairgrounds. Fund-raising status of all the mayoral candidates is here. ALL IN FOR CHILDCARE Reader KBV offers a counterpoint to the blog reader who Wednesday criticized the Governor's plan to pay for universal child care no matter how high the income of those receiving the subsidy: Joe, While I 100% agree the state and the governor need to “use the same riches to focus next on our most vulnerable children-those in CYFD custody,” I applaud the state’s free childcare program for all. But be bold with our vulnerable babies, too. Regardless of income, NM parents are literally working, contributing to our economy and supporting their families. NM has its struggles with many things, maybe daycare should not be one of them. If I’m not mistaken the NM Lottery for college tuition didn’t have income requirements and a lot of our kids went to our univeristies. They didn’t leave and neither did their parents. Maybe this is the same thing. Lord knows these days our government is giving our hard earned tax dollars to rich people, wouldn’t we rather give our money back to all working parents? I would. Have a good day, Joe. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
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