Elect Greg Solano New Mexico http://www.solanoltgov.com Lieutenant Governor 2010 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:43:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 A New Year, A New Adventure http://www.solanoltgov.com/2010/01/03/a-new-year-a-new-adventure/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2010/01/03/a-new-year-a-new-adventure/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:43:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-8788484416369899160 announced my intention to run for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 June Primary. There were a lot of circumstances which comprised my decision to run and my decision to announce so early. Bill Richardson was running for President and rumors were rampant that win or lose he would be leaving the Governors office early. After meeting with family, friends and longtime political advisers I decided to run for Lieutenant Governor and to announce the campaign early. The main reasons for the decision were the following.

1. My friends, advisers and myself felt Lt. Governor Diane Denish would be a shoe in if not unopposed for the Democratic nominee for Governor. I really felt that I could make a difference on many issues which I felt were important to the middle class. Not coming from a high income family, not being a lawyer or a high brow politico was something I felt was lacking in the roundhouse. I truly felt we were lacking a majority of progressive democrats who understood the hardships which typical middle and low income families endure.

2. With Lt. Gov. Diane Denish having a solid foundation in Southern New Mexico we felt she needed a Hispanic from Northern New Mexico to balance the ticket and bring in much needed Hispanic votes.

3. We all felt Lt. Gov. Denish would be Governor by Jan-Feb 2009 with Richardson leaving office early.

4. In order to get noticed by Lt. Gov. Denish I would have to begin the campaign early. I am well established politically in Santa Fe County however I did not have strong connections to state wide politics. The goal was to get on Lt. Gov. Denish's radar screen for a possible appointment.

5. It was felt by us all that my lack of connections to state wide politics could be a positive. Even though we did not foresee the scandals and accusations that would later hit the Richardson Administration we did foresee some citizens had become weary of the Richardson Administration and my lack of connections to the administration could be a positive for a Diane Denish run for Governor.

So, I announced my campaign for Lieutenant Governor in August of 2007. In January of 2008 Governor Richardson dropped out of the presidential race and rumors were still rampant that Richardson should leave office at the end of the year. Barack Obama then won the Democratic Primary for President in June and was well on his way to a win in November. At the time it was believed that Bill Richardson would leave soon after the inauguration in January of 2009.

I had reached out to Lieutenant Governor Denish in the weeks prior to my announcing my run for Lieutenant Governor and we were not able to meet. In early 2008 I made more attempts to meet with her and we had sill not been able to meet. This was the first of many roadblocks I began to encounter. In 2008 I had concentrated on meeting Democrats across the state and getting my name out there. In 2009 I began trying to raise money for the impending race. While many were talking about running for Lieutenant Governor and many were rumored to be considering running, I was still the only candidate actually announced. While running in three different elections for Sheriff. I did rather well raising money within Santa Fe County. I was however, encountering a lot of difficulty in raising money for the Lieutenant Governor race. Donors who had given to me in election after election were not donating for this campaign.

Some wanted to wait and see how things would shake out after the Governor left and the Lieutenant Governor ascended to the Governors seat. Others had heard that there was a favorite who would be appointed and they did not want to do anything that could offend an appointee who may not be me. One even claimed they were advised by those in the roundhouse to hold off donating to anyone until "things had a chance to shake out in the Lt. Gov's Race". I did some checking and this was found by me to be true. Some of these donors had given thousands to me in the past and had held fundraisers for me but they were not willing to get involved in the race at this time. This was disappointing to me and would be the beginning of a death blow to my campaign.

The interesting thing to me was how many business owners were not outright saying it but they seemed to be in fear that if they donated to the wrong person it could affect their business with the state. Now I am not saying it was any type of pay to play or corruption but rather cautious large business owners who needed to keep a good relationship with the upper levels of state government and feared making a mistake in their donations. I think that in my county races the donors felt they could make donations based on people they liked or in some cases I know the same donor gave to both me and my opponents but they did not feel that in local races it could come back to bite them later.

It was a big awakening for me and showed me the stark differences between a local and a state wide race. By spring of 2009 I had five other announced opponents who were out campaigning and starting to raise money. Governor Richardson was no longer leaving and it was clear that the next Lieutenant Governor would have to become Lieutenant Governor the old fashioned way, by being elected. While I tried to talk issues and issued platforms statements, some opponents concentrated on raising huge sums of money and were being very successful at it. Other candidates put tens of thousands of money from their own pockets and borrowed tens of thousand from banks in order to compete with the couple of candidates who were from one hundred and fifty thousand to a quarter of a million dollars. Even today several of my opponents have no issues or platform statements on their website and speak little about the issues and much about their success at raising money. On October 13, 2009 we all had to report the money raised so far. One candidate had raised over $250,000 and two had raised around $150,000 although one did so through loans of $100,000 to his campaign. The other three candidates including myself had less than $20,000 raised.

After all the campaign finance reports came out I decided to go into hiatus on raising money. I needed to make a decision as to whether I would be staying in the race. Until I decided for sure I did not want to take any additional money while I was unsure of my position on staying in the race. We did begin to gather petition signatures which were needed to garner a place on the ballot. In addition to gathering petitions we reached out to State Convention Delegates to see where we were in garnering the 20% needed to get on the ballot in June as well. A lot of voters don't realize that they are the last to decide who wins a race or not. There are numerous hurdles candidates need to get over before voters ever get to see their name on a ballot. One of these is getting past the delegates at the State Democratic Convention. One of my opponents has a decided advantage in that arena having been Chairman of the State Democratic party for over two years. I expect him to take well over the 20% of delegates in the convention leaving the rest of the candidates to fight over what remains.

By Thanksgiving it was becoming increasingly clear I was in for a huge uphill battle. I decided to take the holidays off the campaign trail and make a decision and announcement after the new year. I have met thousands of people who have really supported me, if not with money but with their heart and words. Many of my supporters are everyday people who in today's economic times could not afford to give money to political campaigns while they are facing job loses, furloughs, and fear of just keeping their houses. While the middle and low income people of New Mexico are the ones needing representation and change the most they are the ones least able to pay for the influence they need at the roundhouse. I do feel we have some great candidates running for Lieutenant Governor and I also feel Diane Denish is in touch with the plight of middle income residents of New Mexico and will represent them well. I truly hope the next Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico will remember that as the state faces tough economic times that we must not forget to bail out the people as quickly as the state and nation bails out industries.

I also feel that the state has been remiss in meeting with state employee unions and negotiating cuts and ideas to save money rather than handing down orders, furloughs, and cuts without input from the union members. That is why we have unions to give employees a voice in what happens to them.

At least two candidates have approached me for endorsements should I get out of the Lieutenant Governors race. I am considering whether I endorse and if I do who it would be. So, if you have not figured it out by now I am leaving the race for Lieutenant Governor. It is really too bad that the one thing the media, bloggers, and political operatives care about most is how much money a candidate can raise. The issues, the person are secondary in a state wide race to money.

I lost my first run at political office in 1998 when I first ran for Sheriff. I learned more from that loss than my subsequent two wins for the office of Sheriff. I can honestly say I learned a whole lot from my attempt to become the states next Lieutenant Governor. I have no regrets and the lessons learned will only help me in anything I do in the future. I have never been one to make New Years resolutions. I have always thought you should make decisions on your life and any changes on a day to day basis and not just once a year. So I start this new decade and New Year with a new adventure. The great thing about life is you never know where the road will take you.

When I was a young son of a single mother I would have never guessed in a million years I would even have an opportunity to run for Lieutenant Governor. I would have never guessed I would be Sheriff of Santa Fe County, meet three presidents and numerous movie stars and have the great life and family I now have. I am truly blessed. To all those who have supported my candidacy I hope I have not let you down. I have always been very pragmatic and logical in my decisions, (my wife says I am too logical and not emotional enough), She is probably right and I am constantly working on that. Logically I was not in a position to win. However, I have run races before where I have lost and come back to win another time, so don't count me out.

Thank you all for your support, whether in an elected office or not I will always be an outspoken advocate for you and for what is right. To my wife and children thanks for putting up with a life in politics, few realize what you go through and the price you pay for having me as a husband and father. I do realize the sacrifices you have made and I appreciate it more than I could ever show you.
]]> announced my intention to run for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 June Primary. There were a lot of circumstances which comprised my decision to run and my decision to announce so early. Bill Richardson was running for President and rumors were rampant that win or lose he would be leaving the Governors office early. After meeting with family, friends and longtime political advisers I decided to run for Lieutenant Governor and to announce the campaign early. The main reasons for the decision were the following.

1. My friends, advisers and myself felt Lt. Governor Diane Denish would be a shoe in if not unopposed for the Democratic nominee for Governor. I really felt that I could make a difference on many issues which I felt were important to the middle class. Not coming from a high income family, not being a lawyer or a high brow politico was something I felt was lacking in the roundhouse. I truly felt we were lacking a majority of progressive democrats who understood the hardships which typical middle and low income families endure.

2. With Lt. Gov. Diane Denish having a solid foundation in Southern New Mexico we felt she needed a Hispanic from Northern New Mexico to balance the ticket and bring in much needed Hispanic votes.

3. We all felt Lt. Gov. Denish would be Governor by Jan-Feb 2009 with Richardson leaving office early.

4. In order to get noticed by Lt. Gov. Denish I would have to begin the campaign early. I am well established politically in Santa Fe County however I did not have strong connections to state wide politics. The goal was to get on Lt. Gov. Denish's radar screen for a possible appointment.

5. It was felt by us all that my lack of connections to state wide politics could be a positive. Even though we did not foresee the scandals and accusations that would later hit the Richardson Administration we did foresee some citizens had become weary of the Richardson Administration and my lack of connections to the administration could be a positive for a Diane Denish run for Governor.

So, I announced my campaign for Lieutenant Governor in August of 2007. In January of 2008 Governor Richardson dropped out of the presidential race and rumors were still rampant that Richardson should leave office at the end of the year. Barack Obama then won the Democratic Primary for President in June and was well on his way to a win in November. At the time it was believed that Bill Richardson would leave soon after the inauguration in January of 2009.

I had reached out to Lieutenant Governor Denish in the weeks prior to my announcing my run for Lieutenant Governor and we were not able to meet. In early 2008 I made more attempts to meet with her and we had sill not been able to meet. This was the first of many roadblocks I began to encounter. In 2008 I had concentrated on meeting Democrats across the state and getting my name out there. In 2009 I began trying to raise money for the impending race. While many were talking about running for Lieutenant Governor and many were rumored to be considering running, I was still the only candidate actually announced. While running in three different elections for Sheriff. I did rather well raising money within Santa Fe County. I was however, encountering a lot of difficulty in raising money for the Lieutenant Governor race. Donors who had given to me in election after election were not donating for this campaign.

Some wanted to wait and see how things would shake out after the Governor left and the Lieutenant Governor ascended to the Governors seat. Others had heard that there was a favorite who would be appointed and they did not want to do anything that could offend an appointee who may not be me. One even claimed they were advised by those in the roundhouse to hold off donating to anyone until "things had a chance to shake out in the Lt. Gov's Race". I did some checking and this was found by me to be true. Some of these donors had given thousands to me in the past and had held fundraisers for me but they were not willing to get involved in the race at this time. This was disappointing to me and would be the beginning of a death blow to my campaign.

The interesting thing to me was how many business owners were not outright saying it but they seemed to be in fear that if they donated to the wrong person it could affect their business with the state. Now I am not saying it was any type of pay to play or corruption but rather cautious large business owners who needed to keep a good relationship with the upper levels of state government and feared making a mistake in their donations. I think that in my county races the donors felt they could make donations based on people they liked or in some cases I know the same donor gave to both me and my opponents but they did not feel that in local races it could come back to bite them later.

It was a big awakening for me and showed me the stark differences between a local and a state wide race. By spring of 2009 I had five other announced opponents who were out campaigning and starting to raise money. Governor Richardson was no longer leaving and it was clear that the next Lieutenant Governor would have to become Lieutenant Governor the old fashioned way, by being elected. While I tried to talk issues and issued platforms statements, some opponents concentrated on raising huge sums of money and were being very successful at it. Other candidates put tens of thousands of money from their own pockets and borrowed tens of thousand from banks in order to compete with the couple of candidates who were from one hundred and fifty thousand to a quarter of a million dollars. Even today several of my opponents have no issues or platform statements on their website and speak little about the issues and much about their success at raising money. On October 13, 2009 we all had to report the money raised so far. One candidate had raised over $250,000 and two had raised around $150,000 although one did so through loans of $100,000 to his campaign. The other three candidates including myself had less than $20,000 raised.

After all the campaign finance reports came out I decided to go into hiatus on raising money. I needed to make a decision as to whether I would be staying in the race. Until I decided for sure I did not want to take any additional money while I was unsure of my position on staying in the race. We did begin to gather petition signatures which were needed to garner a place on the ballot. In addition to gathering petitions we reached out to State Convention Delegates to see where we were in garnering the 20% needed to get on the ballot in June as well. A lot of voters don't realize that they are the last to decide who wins a race or not. There are numerous hurdles candidates need to get over before voters ever get to see their name on a ballot. One of these is getting past the delegates at the State Democratic Convention. One of my opponents has a decided advantage in that arena having been Chairman of the State Democratic party for over two years. I expect him to take well over the 20% of delegates in the convention leaving the rest of the candidates to fight over what remains.

By Thanksgiving it was becoming increasingly clear I was in for a huge uphill battle. I decided to take the holidays off the campaign trail and make a decision and announcement after the new year. I have met thousands of people who have really supported me, if not with money but with their heart and words. Many of my supporters are everyday people who in today's economic times could not afford to give money to political campaigns while they are facing job loses, furloughs, and fear of just keeping their houses. While the middle and low income people of New Mexico are the ones needing representation and change the most they are the ones least able to pay for the influence they need at the roundhouse. I do feel we have some great candidates running for Lieutenant Governor and I also feel Diane Denish is in touch with the plight of middle income residents of New Mexico and will represent them well. I truly hope the next Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico will remember that as the state faces tough economic times that we must not forget to bail out the people as quickly as the state and nation bails out industries.

I also feel that the state has been remiss in meeting with state employee unions and negotiating cuts and ideas to save money rather than handing down orders, furloughs, and cuts without input from the union members. That is why we have unions to give employees a voice in what happens to them.

At least two candidates have approached me for endorsements should I get out of the Lieutenant Governors race. I am considering whether I endorse and if I do who it would be. So, if you have not figured it out by now I am leaving the race for Lieutenant Governor. It is really too bad that the one thing the media, bloggers, and political operatives care about most is how much money a candidate can raise. The issues, the person are secondary in a state wide race to money.

I lost my first run at political office in 1998 when I first ran for Sheriff. I learned more from that loss than my subsequent two wins for the office of Sheriff. I can honestly say I learned a whole lot from my attempt to become the states next Lieutenant Governor. I have no regrets and the lessons learned will only help me in anything I do in the future. I have never been one to make New Years resolutions. I have always thought you should make decisions on your life and any changes on a day to day basis and not just once a year. So I start this new decade and New Year with a new adventure. The great thing about life is you never know where the road will take you.

When I was a young son of a single mother I would have never guessed in a million years I would even have an opportunity to run for Lieutenant Governor. I would have never guessed I would be Sheriff of Santa Fe County, meet three presidents and numerous movie stars and have the great life and family I now have. I am truly blessed. To all those who have supported my candidacy I hope I have not let you down. I have always been very pragmatic and logical in my decisions, (my wife says I am too logical and not emotional enough), She is probably right and I am constantly working on that. Logically I was not in a position to win. However, I have run races before where I have lost and come back to win another time, so don't count me out.

Thank you all for your support, whether in an elected office or not I will always be an outspoken advocate for you and for what is right. To my wife and children thanks for putting up with a life in politics, few realize what you go through and the price you pay for having me as a husband and father. I do realize the sacrifices you have made and I appreciate it more than I could ever show you.
]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2010/01/03/a-new-year-a-new-adventure/feed/ 0 Join us this Sunday! http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/10/09/join-us-this-sunday/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/10/09/join-us-this-sunday/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:02:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-8118903670941387319
Sunday October 11, 2009 2pm to 5pm
39 West Chili Line Road, Santa Fe New Mexico

I hope you can attend. There is no minimum donation and heck if you can’t donate but want to come out and show your support I would love to see you.

More info and a map can be found here.
]]>
Sunday October 11, 2009 2pm to 5pm
39 West Chili Line Road, Santa Fe New Mexico

I hope you can attend. There is no minimum donation and heck if you can’t donate but want to come out and show your support I would love to see you.

More info and a map can be found here.
]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/10/09/join-us-this-sunday/feed/ 0 Lieutenant Governors Forum Videos http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/lieutenant-governors-forum-videos/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/lieutenant-governors-forum-videos/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:01:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-294507216967169292 here is a link to YouTube from where you can watch all five videos taken from the Lieutenant Governors Forum Held September 16, 2009 in Santa Fe.

YouTube Lt. Gov Forum Playlist.
]]> here is a link to YouTube from where you can watch all five videos taken from the Lieutenant Governors Forum Held September 16, 2009 in Santa Fe.

YouTube Lt. Gov Forum Playlist.
]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/lieutenant-governors-forum-videos/feed/ 0 Santa Fe Dem Party Lieutenant Governors Forum http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/santa-fe-dem-party-lieutenant-governors-forum/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/santa-fe-dem-party-lieutenant-governors-forum/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:04:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-5015889156374763674 Last night 6 of the Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidates sat at the same table for the first time since this campaign started. The occasion was a forum hosted by the Santa Fe County Democratic Party. The forum was at the NEA Building and it was well organized and run and I have to congratulate the members who put it together.

With 6 candidates there was not a lot of time to answer many questions however the main questions were asked. There was a five minute opening remarks followed by four questions. The questions asked related to Ethics reform in New Mexico, Education, Why are you running and what sets you apart from the other candidates, and a question on what to do about the current budget crisis in New Mexico. Below are short videos with my answers and my opening remarks. I will post some pictures soon.

Opening Remarks




Ethics Reform



Education in New Mexico



New Mexico's Budget Crisis



Why I want to be Lieutenant Governor

]]> Last night 6 of the Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidates sat at the same table for the first time since this campaign started. The occasion was a forum hosted by the Santa Fe County Democratic Party. The forum was at the NEA Building and it was well organized and run and I have to congratulate the members who put it together.

With 6 candidates there was not a lot of time to answer many questions however the main questions were asked. There was a five minute opening remarks followed by four questions. The questions asked related to Ethics reform in New Mexico, Education, Why are you running and what sets you apart from the other candidates, and a question on what to do about the current budget crisis in New Mexico. Below are short videos with my answers and my opening remarks. I will post some pictures soon.

Opening Remarks




Ethics Reform



Education in New Mexico



New Mexico's Budget Crisis



Why I want to be Lieutenant Governor

]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/17/santa-fe-dem-party-lieutenant-governors-forum/feed/ 0 First Lieutenant Governor Forum in New Mexico http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/15/first-lieutenant-governor-forum-in-new-mexico/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/15/first-lieutenant-governor-forum-in-new-mexico/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:36:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-6372431116886937054 Come support Greg at the Santa Fe Democratic Party Lieutenant Governors Forum tomorrow night in Santa Fe. Lt Gov forum will be at 2007 Botulph Rd, Santa Fe, at the NEA Building. Wed Sept. 16 at 6:30 PM.
]]> Come support Greg at the Santa Fe Democratic Party Lieutenant Governors Forum tomorrow night in Santa Fe. Lt Gov forum will be at 2007 Botulph Rd, Santa Fe, at the NEA Building. Wed Sept. 16 at 6:30 PM.
]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/15/first-lieutenant-governor-forum-in-new-mexico/feed/ 0 Where have I been? http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/09/where-have-i-been/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/09/where-have-i-been/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:22:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-1139228387670534715 I have gotten a lot of inquiry's as to why I have not been online lately. I apologize for my recent absence online and at some events. My wife Antoinette's mother passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer. We will miss her. The services are Friday and I will try and get back into the swing of things (blogging, twitter, FB, and campaign as well as doing my full time job of Sheriff) This weekend.

On another note,

Heath Haussamen has a poll on his website for the Lieutenant Governors Race. Please take a minute and vote for Greg Solano for Lieutenant Governor. Thank You!

http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/

.

]]> I have gotten a lot of inquiry's as to why I have not been online lately. I apologize for my recent absence online and at some events. My wife Antoinette's mother passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer. We will miss her. The services are Friday and I will try and get back into the swing of things (blogging, twitter, FB, and campaign as well as doing my full time job of Sheriff) This weekend.

On another note,

Heath Haussamen has a poll on his website for the Lieutenant Governors Race. Please take a minute and vote for Greg Solano for Lieutenant Governor. Thank You!

http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/

.

]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/09/09/where-have-i-been/feed/ 0 Sheriff Solano Challenges Lt. Gov. Candidates! http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/20/sheriff-solano-challenges-lt-gov-candidates/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/20/sheriff-solano-challenges-lt-gov-candidates/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:58:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-116179423995422266
Ethics in New Mexico

I believe true ethics reform is needed in New Mexico. While there are bad people in every profession, the political leaders who oversee our government and tax dollars should be above reproach. The most important factor in clean government is transparency. While Sheriff for the last 7 years, I have promoted open government throughout the Sheriff’s Office. Reporters never have to file Freedom of Information Act Requests. They need only call my office and ask for what they need and, if we have it and it’s not illegal to release it, then we fax or email it immediately. I have even been criticized by my peers in law enforcement for being too open, but it is a principle which I stand by and my staff is expected to follow my lead.

That is what we need in State Government. When the leaders have a policy of open government and require it from the top down, only then will staff adhere to that policy. Here are some of the Ideas I support in regards to ethics and open government.

• Creation of an independent ethics commission. The commission should be bipartisan and include citizens and members of all three branches of State Government.

• The State Auditor and Attorney General should continue to be elected positions; however, their campaigns should be publicly financed in order to remove any appearance of impropriety or pay-to-play allegations. Their offices need to be adequately funded in order to investigate and audit all cases of importance that come to their offices.

• The Secretary of States Office needs adequate funding and Technology assistance in order to have complete and easy access to campaign finance reports. The system needs to be easy to use for both candidates and the public.

• The State should have a department of webcasting which would be entrusted with getting as many government meetings and press conferences webcasted as possible. NMStateGov_TV.com or something similar should be created to ensure a one-stop shop to find such webcasts.

• I also believe political office is a full time job regardless of the position and should be compensated as such. I believe we will attract some who just want to serve and would not be able to afford to do so. This could also provide honest competition for those who just have ulterior motives and those who want to use politics as a stepping stone to big lobby jobs and other high-paying positions. The common man or woman who has the knowledge, honesty, wherewithal and ability to run for office should not have to choose between a full-time job to support his or her family and serving the public in an elected position.

• Finally, transparency and open government has to be the policy and practice from the top down. Those who do not follow that policy should be disciplined or removed. Only then will this be adhered to by all state government. The Governor and Lt. Governor need to set the example.

]]>
Ethics in New Mexico

I believe true ethics reform is needed in New Mexico. While there are bad people in every profession, the political leaders who oversee our government and tax dollars should be above reproach. The most important factor in clean government is transparency. While Sheriff for the last 7 years, I have promoted open government throughout the Sheriff’s Office. Reporters never have to file Freedom of Information Act Requests. They need only call my office and ask for what they need and, if we have it and it’s not illegal to release it, then we fax or email it immediately. I have even been criticized by my peers in law enforcement for being too open, but it is a principle which I stand by and my staff is expected to follow my lead.

That is what we need in State Government. When the leaders have a policy of open government and require it from the top down, only then will staff adhere to that policy. Here are some of the Ideas I support in regards to ethics and open government.

• Creation of an independent ethics commission. The commission should be bipartisan and include citizens and members of all three branches of State Government.

• The State Auditor and Attorney General should continue to be elected positions; however, their campaigns should be publicly financed in order to remove any appearance of impropriety or pay-to-play allegations. Their offices need to be adequately funded in order to investigate and audit all cases of importance that come to their offices.

• The Secretary of States Office needs adequate funding and Technology assistance in order to have complete and easy access to campaign finance reports. The system needs to be easy to use for both candidates and the public.

• The State should have a department of webcasting which would be entrusted with getting as many government meetings and press conferences webcasted as possible. NMStateGov_TV.com or something similar should be created to ensure a one-stop shop to find such webcasts.

• I also believe political office is a full time job regardless of the position and should be compensated as such. I believe we will attract some who just want to serve and would not be able to afford to do so. This could also provide honest competition for those who just have ulterior motives and those who want to use politics as a stepping stone to big lobby jobs and other high-paying positions. The common man or woman who has the knowledge, honesty, wherewithal and ability to run for office should not have to choose between a full-time job to support his or her family and serving the public in an elected position.

• Finally, transparency and open government has to be the policy and practice from the top down. Those who do not follow that policy should be disciplined or removed. Only then will this be adhered to by all state government. The Governor and Lt. Governor need to set the example.

]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/20/sheriff-solano-challenges-lt-gov-candidates/feed/ 0 Hear Greg on KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos! http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/18/hear-greg-on-krsn-am-1490-los-alamos/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/18/hear-greg-on-krsn-am-1490-los-alamos/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:36:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-1711820238639554367 Hear Greg on KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos!

Thursday, August 20, 8:30-9:30 am KRSN AM 1490, Los Alamos

Sheriff Solano will be in the studio speaking with Miro about public safety issues in Santa Fe County, and his campaign and platform as a Democrat for the 2010 Lt. Governor’s Race.

Hear web cast at http://www.krsnam1490.com/venusinterviews.htm

]]> Hear Greg on KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos!

Thursday, August 20, 8:30-9:30 am KRSN AM 1490, Los Alamos

Sheriff Solano will be in the studio speaking with Miro about public safety issues in Santa Fe County, and his campaign and platform as a Democrat for the 2010 Lt. Governor’s Race.

Hear web cast at http://www.krsnam1490.com/venusinterviews.htm

]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/18/hear-greg-on-krsn-am-1490-los-alamos/feed/ 0 Congressman Ben Ray Lujan Health Care Forum http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/17/congressman-ben-ray-lujan-health-care-forum/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/17/congressman-ben-ray-lujan-health-care-forum/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:59:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-8723398784509376564
A photo of myself and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan taken in 2008

Congressman Lujan let the crowd know early he was in full support of a public option which was met with resounding cheers and applause. I think that set the tone for the meeting which had a capacity crowd of 190 by my count. The Unitarian Universalist Church was really too small for the meeting and a large crowd of over 200 was not able to enter the church. Over an hour into the meeting the crowd outside was told they would be allowed in to the church after the initial meeting ended for a shorter question and answer period. The small church was hot and either had inadequate air conditioning or none. The thermostat on the wall near where I was standing said 85 degrees during the meeting. Most people used the informational flyers handed out as fans to cool themselves off. For comfort reasons I was wishing I had not worn my uniform. Still for safety reasons and as a security presence it was still probably the best thing.

The forum started with comments and explanations of the bills currently before congress by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Health Action New Mexico board president Lydia Pendley, and Los Alamos physician Tyler Taylor. The three then answered questions. The questions were written on cards and a moderator read the questions. The questions submitted were stacked high on the podium and only about 10-15 were asked and answered. Representative Lujan stated his staff would look at all the questions and try to post answers to ones not asked at the forum on his website.

The first group obeyed the rules and did not shout out questions and only a couple of comments were shouted out. Everyone was then asked to leave and the second group was let in. Although I did see some people reenter with the second group there was a whole room of new people. I counted 175 in the room for the second session. This group had a few who shouted out a few questions and when a few people started shouting out coments or questions the crowd as a whole shhhsed (spelling ?) them and kept them at bay. Although the second group had a few unhappy people the vast majority also supported Health Care Reform and the Public Option.

Some windows were opened and the tempurature cooled to 81 degrees. Ok, it was not really that cool and the four degrees difference did not help that much. I have to say that when the meetings first started I wondered whether the heat would help aggravate some who may have come to the meeting upset to begin with. Luckily that did not happen. I am not sure whether it was because we are the city different or whether all the publicity over bad manners and out of control town hall meetings, and the backlash towards opponents has allowed things to cool down before Santa Fe had its town hall.

The crowd at the meetings was a much older crowd and the first 190 participants were largely older anglo New Mexicans while the second crowd had about a 50/50 ratio of anglo vs non anglo participants. The second crowd also was a younger adult crowd. It will be interesting to see how other town halls work out.

The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County will hold a forum on our nation’s health care system from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, in the Jemez Rooms, Santa Fe Community College, 6401 S. Richards Avenue. It is unknown whether any congressional members will be in attendance. Rep. Martin Heinrich will hold a Health Care Reform Town Hall is set for Saturday, August 22, 2009, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the UNM Continuing Education Building located at 1634 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. I would like to attend however I will be in Deming on the Lt. Governor campaign trail. If you want to learn more about the Health Care Reform bills in Congress click here.

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A photo of myself and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan taken in 2008

Congressman Lujan let the crowd know early he was in full support of a public option which was met with resounding cheers and applause. I think that set the tone for the meeting which had a capacity crowd of 190 by my count. The Unitarian Universalist Church was really too small for the meeting and a large crowd of over 200 was not able to enter the church. Over an hour into the meeting the crowd outside was told they would be allowed in to the church after the initial meeting ended for a shorter question and answer period. The small church was hot and either had inadequate air conditioning or none. The thermostat on the wall near where I was standing said 85 degrees during the meeting. Most people used the informational flyers handed out as fans to cool themselves off. For comfort reasons I was wishing I had not worn my uniform. Still for safety reasons and as a security presence it was still probably the best thing.

The forum started with comments and explanations of the bills currently before congress by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Health Action New Mexico board president Lydia Pendley, and Los Alamos physician Tyler Taylor. The three then answered questions. The questions were written on cards and a moderator read the questions. The questions submitted were stacked high on the podium and only about 10-15 were asked and answered. Representative Lujan stated his staff would look at all the questions and try to post answers to ones not asked at the forum on his website.

The first group obeyed the rules and did not shout out questions and only a couple of comments were shouted out. Everyone was then asked to leave and the second group was let in. Although I did see some people reenter with the second group there was a whole room of new people. I counted 175 in the room for the second session. This group had a few who shouted out a few questions and when a few people started shouting out coments or questions the crowd as a whole shhhsed (spelling ?) them and kept them at bay. Although the second group had a few unhappy people the vast majority also supported Health Care Reform and the Public Option.

Some windows were opened and the tempurature cooled to 81 degrees. Ok, it was not really that cool and the four degrees difference did not help that much. I have to say that when the meetings first started I wondered whether the heat would help aggravate some who may have come to the meeting upset to begin with. Luckily that did not happen. I am not sure whether it was because we are the city different or whether all the publicity over bad manners and out of control town hall meetings, and the backlash towards opponents has allowed things to cool down before Santa Fe had its town hall.

The crowd at the meetings was a much older crowd and the first 190 participants were largely older anglo New Mexicans while the second crowd had about a 50/50 ratio of anglo vs non anglo participants. The second crowd also was a younger adult crowd. It will be interesting to see how other town halls work out.

The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County will hold a forum on our nation’s health care system from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, in the Jemez Rooms, Santa Fe Community College, 6401 S. Richards Avenue. It is unknown whether any congressional members will be in attendance. Rep. Martin Heinrich will hold a Health Care Reform Town Hall is set for Saturday, August 22, 2009, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the UNM Continuing Education Building located at 1634 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. I would like to attend however I will be in Deming on the Lt. Governor campaign trail. If you want to learn more about the Health Care Reform bills in Congress click here.

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]]> http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/17/congressman-ben-ray-lujan-health-care-forum/feed/ 0 Get the Facts on Health Care Reform in America http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/11/get-the-facts-on-health-care-reform-in-america/ http://www.solanoltgov.com/2009/08/11/get-the-facts-on-health-care-reform-in-america/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000 Sheriff Greg Solano tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426389129205812767.post-7485195739712999539 here.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/
]]> here.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/
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