Gov. Bill Richardson, DGA Chairman

Welcome to the Chairman’s corner. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson became Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association in December 2004. Find out more about Gov. Richardson below.

Gov. Richardson in the News

Richardson Leads Way in Fighting DUI. Deterrence, the tactic of choice against drunken drivers for two decades, is no longer working in the struggle to reduce the death toll, say private and government experts, and they will propose moving toward alcohol detection in every vehicle. Many states already require the devices for people who have been convicted several times. Last year, New Mexico became the first to use them after a first offense. With that tactic and others, New Mexico saw a 12 percent drop in alcohol-related fatalities last year, while the number nationwide was essentially unchanged, according to federal figures. “It is an integral part of our success,” said Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who thinks others should follow the state’s lead. Read more

Richardson Urges Diplomacy in Response to Nuke Test: Gov. Bill Richardson expressed concern and urged U.S. diplomacy Sunday night after North Korea declared it launched a successful nuclear test. A news release from the governor’s office said he is “extremely concerned with North Korea’s test detonation of a nuclear weapon. He considers it a hostile act and urges face-to-face diplomacy to resolve the crisis.” Richardson urged the Bush administration “to immediately seek international support from the United Nations Security Council for our efforts to stop North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.” Richardson, a former energy secretary and UN. ambassador, visited North Korea last year in hopes of staving off that country’s development of nuclear weapons. Read more

Editorial: Richardson’s Diplomatic Skills an Asset: Put another notch on Gov. Bill Richardson’s diplomatic attaché case. In short order last week, Richardson jetted to the Sudan and won the release of New Mexico resident and Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Salopek, as well as Salopek’s two colleagues from Chad. Richardson has become a kind of diplomatic ace – called on to negotiate the release of several Americans in overseas difficulties. Notches and politics completely aside, the country and New Mexico are fortunate to have a statesman like Richardson, willing and able to negotiate. Read more

Richardson: Opposition to Washington Republicans will Affect State Races: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is coordinating the party’s effort in the 36 gubernatorial races this year, said this week that he thinks the Iraq issue “will spill over” into those contests, adding two or three points to the Democratic side. With American generals talking openly about Iraq’s verging on civil war, he said, “it allows Democrats to take positions that are responsive to the public and yet are protected from Republican political attacks.” Read more

Richardson Encourages Hispanic Civic Involvement: Hispanics need to become more involved in the political process to ensure their voices are heard on issues facing the nation, including immigration, the nation’s only Hispanic governor said. Registering to vote and going to the polls are critical parts of that process, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said Saturday. “The more we register, the more politicians on both sides of the aisle are going to listen to us,” Richardson said. Read more

Richardson, Dobbs Discuss Immigration: The U.S. can build a wall to keep immigrants out, but it must work more closely with Mexico if it has any hope of reducing the massive flow of illegal immigrants, panelists including CNN anchor Lou Dobbs and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson told a group of more than 2,000 Hispanic journalists Friday. Richardson said the U.S. needs to work more closely with the Mexican government on joint anti-smuggling efforts, joint patrols and job creation. “What’s wrong with Mexico creating, along with our assistance, jobs along the border?” he asked. Read more

Richardson Says Border Security is Failing: A new analysis by the centrist Democratic group Third Way concludes that the Bush administration has failed to enforce existing laws and that the president should be held accountable for those failures in the political debate now raging in Washington. “The report shows that the administration, despite their tough talk, is failing at border security and enforcing the employer sanctions provision,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said. Read more

Richardson Discusses Immigration on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360”: “We have to deal with this every day at the border, and what we need is, by all means, stronger border security for protection against terrorists, drugs, illegal workers. You have to have fines, also, on those that knowingly hire illegal workers and a legalization plan. I think we need to say to Mexico, you have to do more. You have to do more in the area of joint smuggling operations, working with us, joint job creation, and patrols at the border. If you just do border security, you’re only curing half of the problem.”
Read more

Richardson Debates Immigration on CBS’s “The Early Show”: Discussing immigration with CBS host Harry Smith, Gov. Bill Richardson said the immigration protests are creating pressure that Congress simply cannot ignore. “It’s really unprecedented, this ground swell that has come up,” he said. “We’ve watched this now for a couple of weeks. I mean, people literally all over the country walking away from their jobs to stand in the street and say, ‘I count for something.” Richardson added, “What needs to happen now is the president, who’s been saying the right words, needs to use his muscle on Republican legislators that right now are the basic problem.” Read more

A New Democrat Looks West and Forward Los Angeles Times
Bill Richardson has long been the proverbial man in a hurry, starting with his first audacious run for office 25 years ago, when, transplanted from Washington, the Democrat nearly unseated the state’s veteran GOP congressman. (Richardson won his own House seat in 1982.) Lately, Richardson’s exertions have been aimed at resuscitating New Mexico, the sick man of the Southwest. Read more

Governor Brings Unique Qualities to New Mexico El Paso Times
It was clear from his earliest days in office that Richardson was unique among New Mexico governors. A former Capitol Hill staffer who came to New Mexico to build his political career, Richardson had served as U.S. representative, U.N. ambassador and U.S. Energy Secretary before being elected governor. He came to Santa Fe with national and international credentials, and thinly hidden ambitions for bigger things. Read more

Governor Performs ‘Radical Surgery’ Las Cruces Sun Times
On the same day in November 2003 that Veronica Garcia was introduced as New Mexico’s first secretary of education, national assessment scores were released showing New Mexico was either dead last or next to last on fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math tests. “Today is the first day that we will vanquish those statistics, that have been very troublesome,” Gov. Bill Richardson boldly proclaimed. “And we can do it with this team.” Nearly two years later, a great deal has changed in Santa Fe. Read more

Between Two Worlds by. Gov Bill Richardson
Excerpt: “A rising star of the Democratic Party tells the fascinating story of the ways his multicultural heritage and political education have shaped his dreams for America and given him vital lessons in the art of successful negotiating.” Read more about Gov. Richardson’s book

Gov. Richardson’s Op-Eds

Use oil reserve to shield consumers from market jolts
by Gov. Bill Richardson

A Plan for American Energy Independence
by Gov. Bill Richardson

The Wrong Prescription for Medicaid
by Gov. Bill Richardson

The Least We Can Do for Our Fallen Soldiers
by Gov. Bill Richardson

Gov. Richardson’s Latest Initiatives

Richardson Urges Action on Immigration | Albuquerque Journal Aug 28, 2006
NM Gov. Bill Richardson and three other border-state governors, including AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano, have signed a letter urging federal lawmakers to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the end of the year. The governors signed the letter Friday at the close of the two-day Border Governors Conference. They joined the governors of six Mexican states in signing a joint declaration on issues ranging from tourism and trade to education and border security. Read more

Richardson Proposes Initiatives to Fix Schools | Albuquerque Journal Aug 24, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson wants $22 million more to fix New Mexico schools, and he’s toying with cash bonuses to coax the best teachers into the neediest schools. “We need to keep the pressure on to improve,” Richardson said when he released the state’s education report card, which shows progress in teacher quality and resource equity, including investing in students in the classroom. “I’m not satisfied. We need to do more.” Richardson’s $22 million for new approaches focuses on weaknesses in the report card. Read more

Richardson, Doyle Renew Call for Energy Independence | Phoenix Business Journal Aug 21, 2006
A Wisconsin biotechnology firm has received a grant of $115,000 as part of $1 million in state funds being made available for renewable energy projects. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle joined with New Mexico Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson to announce the funding and to call for a new national energy policy that focuses on energy independence. The firm, Lucigen Corp., will use the funds for the development of new enzymes that can increase the production of ethanol by 15 percent while using the same amount of corn and without any additional investment of capital or fixed cost. Read more

Richardson Strengthens Liquor Regulations | Albuquerque Journal Aug 11, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson announced changes to the state Liquor Control Act aimed at cracking down on bars that serve booze to minors and “overserve” adults. Under the new regulations, the state can revoke a bar or restaurant’s liquor license after three convictions for serving alcohol to minors or people who already are intoxicated. “Despite the success, and despite all the attention to this problem, some people refuse to change their behavior,” Gov. Richardson said. “We are attacking the problem from yet another front by announcing tough, new regulations that hold bars and restaurants accountable for their role in preventing drunk driving.” Read more

Richardson Unveils Plan to Upgrade Schools | Aug 7, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson and legislative leaders announced $180 million in state money to help New Mexico communities invest in modern, new classrooms. This year’s funding is on top of last year’s record $230 million that was invested in the most pressing local school construction projects. “The days of only some school districts being able to afford modern, new schools are over,” Gov. Richardson said. “In four years, we have invested over half a billion in classrooms across the state.” Read more

Richardson Helps Parents Find Health Care | Albuquerque Trib, Aug 4, 2006
The state is looking for thousands of New Mexico kids who qualify for its health care coverage but whose parents might not know it. The goal of the outreach is to enroll as many children as possible in New Mexikids, the state’s free or low-cost health plan. This year’s attention to the uninsured is part of Gov. Bill Richardson’s plan to insure as many New Mexicans as possible. Next year, Richardson plans to ask state lawmakers for $77 million to reduce the number of residents without insurance by almost 60,000 over two years. Read more

Richardson Unveils Tough Payday Lending Rules | Albuquerque Tribune, Aug 2, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson unveiled new payday lending regulations aimed at protecting consumers against predatory practices. State officials said the regulations are needed to place curbs on the payday lending industry to help New Mexicans who use such short-term loans. “These regulations are tough, sensible limits designed to protect consumers from unfair lending practices,” Richardson said Monday. “We expect industry opposition and lawsuits on this issue but we will continue to fight to help New Mexicans who are struggling to make ends meet.” Read more

Richardson Applauds Court Action on Carbon Dioxide | Seattle Times, June 27, 2006
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear arguments on whether the federal government must regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant, a case that could have broad implications for utilities, auto manufacturers and other industries nationwide. “The court’s decision to hear the case is momentous,” said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. His state is suing the administration along with 11 others. Read more

Richardson Urges Protection of Immigrants | Sun Times, June 12, 2006
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he is no stranger to the nation’s immigration issue. The nation’s only Hispanic governor, whose state is 50 percent Latino, wants help from leading black and Latino leaders to form an alliance that would protect the interests of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. “I live with this issue every day in my state,” he said Sunday at the 35th Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund Conference. Read more

Border Governors OK Guard Patrols | Arizona Republic, June 2, 2006
Border governors ramped up efforts Thursday to rein in illegal immigration by bolstering security at the Mexican border. In Arizona, Gov. Janet Napolitano signed an agreement for the federal government to pay for the deployment of hundreds of National Guard soldiers at the border. In New Mexico, Gov. Bill Richardson signed the agreement to deploy Guard soldiers along that state’s border despite his frequently expressed concerns about the plan. “Clearly, America is facing an emergency along our border with Mexico, and we must take action,” he said. Read more

Richardson Acts to Protect Wild Forests | Albuquerque Business Journal, June 1, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson has filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect 1.7 million acres of roadless national forests in New Mexico. He is the first Western governor to petition the Bush administration for roadless area protection under new rules established last year. The Bush Administration withdrew rules prohibiting road building in roadless areas put in place by the Clinton administration. Read more

Richardson Initiative Doubles School Clinics | Albuquerque Tribune, May 8, 2006
As a way to prevent teen suicide and give students better health care, school-based health clinics have been set up in the state’s 33 counties. The number of school-based clinics in New Mexico has more than doubled since Gov. Bill Richardson announced a statewide initiative to boost the number in 2004. That year, the state had 31 clinics in 16 counties. Now, there are 34 more clinics in 17 additional counties. Read more

Richardson Prompts Organizations to Reduce Emissions | Daily Times, May 1, 2006
Prompted in part by Gov. Bill Richardson’s 2005 call for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, non-profit governmental organizations are eyeing ways to make New Mexico’s air cleaner. Just last week, the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group (NMPIRG) released a report detailing 15 ways businesses and residents can decrease pollution. Adopting its strategies will be a big stride toward meeting Richardson’s goals, argue officials with the non-profit organization. Read more

Richardson Promotes Renewable Fuels, Film | Portales News-Trib, Apr. 26, 2006
Renewable fuel and film. Gov. Bill Richardson is optimistic New Mexico can be a key state for both, and he highlighted Tucumcari’s role during a Monday town hall meeting. “We want to be the center of renewable energy in this country, and we’re moving that way,” Richardson said. Richardson has been actively courting the film industry, and he said 14 films are currently being shot in New Mexico. “Some very famous movies were filmed here,” Richardson said, “and I’d like to see that happen again.” Read more

Richardson Asks Oil Industry to Help Consumers | Portales News-Trib, Apr. 25, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson has called on the oil and gas industry for a second time to pitch in $50 million to help consumers with high gasoline prices, but an industry leader says supply will have to increase and demand must decrease before prices will come down. Richardson first asked the oil and gas industry to chip in during a special legislative session last fall. On Monday, he renewed the request and asked residents to contact the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association to urge their members to help with high energy costs. Read more

Richardson Supports Minimum Wage Boost | Reuters, Apr. 24, 2006
Albuquerque, New Mexico, will join three other U.S. cities in raising its minimum wage above state and national levels, officials said on Friday after a city council vote to boost the local wage. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson called the plan a “sensible, fair raise package.” “The Albuquerque city council’s vote to increase the minimum wage is a victory for working families throughout the city,” said Richardson, adding he would prefer an increase to the state’s minimum wage over city-by-city efforts. Read more

Richardson Supports Food Aid Program | Sante Fe New Mexican, Mar. 29, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson and five other Democratic governors are asking Congress to restore federal funding for a nationwide program that provides food aid to the very poor. The Bush administration has proposed cutting funding to the $107 million Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food to low-income mothers and children under 6 years old, as well as to the elderly poor. Read more

Richardson to Extend Border Declaration | Santa Fe Free New Mexican, Mar. 29, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson said Tuesday he plans to extend an emergency declaration for the border area this summer to keep state money flowing to help with border security. “It’s operational now, but if I wanted to continue triggering funds then … we’ve got to renew it in the summer and I intend to do that,” Richardson said. Read more

Richardson Promotes Path Toward Legalization | CBS, Mar. 27, 2006
Gov. Richardson said it would be unrealistic to round up and deport the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. Instead, he told CBS’ “The Early Show,” the U.S. should create a “path toward legalization” based on whether the immigrants are law-abiding, pay taxes, are learning English or demonstrate other “positive behavior.” Read more

Richardson Signs Energy, Education Bills | Santa Fe Free New Mexican, Mar. 6, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson signed historic pieces of legislation passed during the recent legislative session. New Mexicans can get state tax credits for installing solar energy systems in their homes and businesses. “This bill helps us take advantage of our world-class solar energy resources to keep New Mexico the clean-energy state,” Richardson said. Read more

Richardson Improves Voting System | Santa Fe Free New Mexican, Mar. 3, 2006
New Mexico’s 33 counties will switch from a patchwork of voting methods to a single paper-ballot system under a bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Bill Richardson. The governor said the system would make voting more secure and restore the public’s confidence in elections. “We believe that all voices deserve to be heard, and when it comes to elections, that all votes deserve to be counted,” the governor said. Read more