| "DOLLAR
BILL" RICHARDSON?
|
From Albuquerque Journal op-ed December 16,
2002
Because he received a large majority of the
votes for Governor in this month’s general election, does
Governor-elect Richardson deserve a “honeymoon” of immunity
from criticism? Unfortunately,
many of Mr. Richardson’s plans and activities already indicate a
policy of “pay to play” in his administration.
Campaign contribution information
indicates that a large majority of the people Richardson named to
be on his transition team were contributors to his election
campaign, some on his team contributing in the hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Transition
chairmen and co-chairs are heavily represented by gambling
interests from the tribal casinos and racetracks.
Is gambling going to be considered the apex of commerce in
Bill Richardson’s New Mexico?
The ongoing battle over a possible Hobbs racetrack is another
indication of our new governor’s predisposition.
Governor Johnson basically dismantled the racetrack
commission this week because it appeared that they were going to
approve a new racetrack for Hobbs, possibly with R.D. Hubbard as
the owner. Mr.
Hubbard made national news recently when he lost his gambling
license in Indiana, and he and his company, Pinnacle
Entertainment, had to pay about $3 million dollars in fines to
avoid being prosecuted for accounting irregularities, and for
providing prostitutes for guests at a casino rally.
Governor Johnson said he was opposed to a new casino in Hobbs,
because such gambling expansion could disconnect revenue sharing
from the tribal casinos. His
opposition to the track may also have something to do with the
hundreds of thousands he has received in campaign contributions
from the tribal casinos, who view new tracks as irritating
competition. Attorney
General Patricia Madrid indicated that adding a racetrack would
not violate the compacts or disconnect revenue sharing.
But then, AG Madrid has received tens of thousands in
campaign contributions from gambling interests, including R.D.
Hubbard.
Governor-elect Richardson said that a new track in Hobbs was fine
with him, because the people in Hobbs wanted one.
There are some petitions carried and surveys taken that
strongly refute the support for a casino in Hobbs, but the
gambling “industry” certainly is in favor of a casino there,
and they have contributed heavily to our Governor-elect’s
campaign. Mr. Hubbard
alone contributed over $10,000 to his campaign.
Are the interests of the people or the influence of the dollars
going to be the guiding light in Governor Richardson’s new
administration? The
New Mexico Coalition Against Gambling wonders if our new governor
is going to become known as “Dollar Bill Richardson” because
of his favoritism towards heavy donors, especially gambling
contributors.
New Mexico Coalition Against Gambling
|
