December 5, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Gov. Intends To Stay at Post Into Feb.
By Dan Boyd, Journal Capitol BureauSANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson expects to remain New Mexico's chief executive into February and until then will split his time between the Roundhouse and Washington, D.C., as he awaits a Senate confirmation hearing on his nomination as U.S. commerce secretary.
Richardson held a joint news conference Thursday at the Capitol with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who will become New Mexico's 27th governor upon his departure, to disclose preliminary plans for the transition in New Mexico leadership.
Richardson, who has said he won't resign as governor until he is confirmed for President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet, said he expects to remain governor until mid- to late February.
Both Richardson and Denish assured reporters the transition will be smooth, but said Richardson won't cede authority until he leaves.
"On some of the major budget items, obviously I'll make the decisions but she's going to have a role in them," said Richardson, who was nominated by Obama on Wednesday.
Denish, who was joined Thursday by her husband, Herb Denish, said she intends to make decisions on whether to retain members of Richardson's Cabinet on a case-by-case basis.
More urgent, she said, is addressing a budget shortfall that's ballooned to more than $500 million in the past three months.
"The people of New Mexico expect us to get down to business," Denish said.
Although Richardson intends to call the shots while awaiting confirmation by the U.S. Senate, he said he'll mix some of Denish's proposals — such as implementing safeguards on payday lending — into the legislative agenda he'll present to state lawmakers on Jan. 20.
"We're going to have to incorporate some of her ideas on the issues she cares about in the budget," Richardson said.
He also voiced confidence in Denish's ability to lead the state.
"The lieutenant governor is going to have full access to all my deliberations as we move forward," Richardson said. "I believe she will be an outstanding governor."
Denish, who's been the state's lieutenant governor since 2003, is in line to become New Mexico's first female governor.
Richardson said his chief of staff, Brian Condit, will head up his exiting transition team and said he hopes to take Condit with him to Washington.
Denish said she expects to announce members of her own transition staff in upcoming days.
Individuals with ties to both Richardson and Denish said they don't expect Denish to immediately undo decisions made by Richardson.
"I don't think there will be sweeping changes," said Johnny Cope, chairman of the State Transportation Commission and a junior high classmate of Denish in Hobbs. "I think she'll do it at a pace that's healthy for state employees."
Richardson departed shortly after Thursday's news conference to visit his mother in Mexico, but he and Denish plan to hold more transition talks next week.
In addition to state finances, high-profile issues such as expanding health care coverage to more New Mexicans and revising the state's public school funding formula are expected to be discussed.