DISQUS

odonnell · 1 year ago

Weird.

White is really, really reaching here. Heinrich's work to protect the culture, water, air and economic opportunities of New Mexico somehow makes him a "slick lobbyist"? That is one weak and desperate grasp. White should acknowledge the work Heinrich did for this state for little or no pay.

Would have been nice to see that White cared for NM as much as Heinrich. Oh well, he'll just name-call instead.

jimscarantino · 1 year ago

Ojito was a good thing. Regardless, Martin Heinrich was not exempt from federal lobbyist ethics laws. There is no exemption for lobbying for environmental advocacy corporations, or for any other type of client. If he ever earned more than $5,000 in a six month period for lobbying, he, like all other lobbyists, was required to register and file disclosures as to the identity of his clients. I don't like hearing that he worked as a lobbyist but didn't think he had to follow the same rules as everyone else. He needs to prove his claim that he wasn't required to comply with lobbyist laws and regulations. If he was lobbying in violation of the law, that wasn't so "slick." If he was in compliance with the law, this is not much of an issue. But I expect we will hear more on this topic until it is resolved.

barbwire · 1 year ago

No, actually, you have to prove he did something wrong. You can't merely assume it. The burden of proof is on the accuser. I'm sure if there were any proof of wrongdoing, White's campaign would have dug it up by now and you'd be parroting it here.

And why should anyone take our opinion on this seriously? You have strongly implied that Heinrich is pushing the agenda of eco-terrorists. Sorry, Jim, your credibiity on this issue is low, to say the least.

People know Heinrich and his passionate work for good policy. Using the terms "eco-terrorist" and "slick lobbyist" in relation to Heinrich is laughable, desperate and inaccurate, as you well know if you let yourself admit the truth instead of spinning to help White.

jimscarantino · 1 year ago

For Heinrich to have been exempt from federal lobbyist regs he had to make far less than the federal poverty line. But then that would undermine his arguments about "Heinrich Consulting," his much vaunted "consulting firm." He was our lobbyist when I was Chair of the Coalition for NM Wilderness. He was definitely not making such a low amount of money that he would be exempt from lobbyist ethics laws, laws that apply to environmentalist as well as industry lobbyists. Has Heinrich released his tax records to show how much (or how little) he was making from lobbying work? That could settle the question.

barbwire · 1 year ago

So if what you say is true, why isn't the White campaign requesting records and taking legal action? Just keep spinning, Jim. We all know where you're coming from on this. By the way, how are the lawsuits against Darren White and the lawbreaking of the Sheriff's Department going? Like the latest polling?

conservawhat · 1 year ago

Shouldn't law enforcement be prohibited from lobbying for changes to the laws they are paid to enforce? Isn't that a conflict of interest? Listening to Smiling Sheriff White tell legislators that more people should get the death penalty was one of the most disgusting things I ever saw in the Roundhouse.