The Sanchez Dictatorship is "Highly Partisan"

Steve Fischmann

This is the time of year when soul searching is done by those who make their way to Santa Fe. So what’s behind the recent rash of announcements from elected officials that they are bowing out? The explanations given by Senators who are stepping down in Dona Ana County should serve as a wakeup call.
Both Cynthia Nava and Steve Fischmann are loyal Democrats. They cited a “partisan” atmosphere in Santa Fe as their reason for quitting. A partisan atmosphere?
Two pieces of legislation come to mind.

Mary Helen Garcia

A bill sponsored by Representative Mary Helen Garcia that would have halted the widely discredited practice of social promotion in public schools offers plenty of insight. The bill had bi-partisan support in the legislature for two years and this year was supported by the necessary funding. Unfortunately, the bill had two fatal political flaws. First it required the blessing of self-serving union leaders. Unions tend to be opposed to all educational reform that don’t include more money for…..unions. Second, and more important, the Governor was one of dozens of elected officials working across the aisle in favor of the bill.

Mary Kay Papen

Another bill that contained a simple liability waiver for Spaceport America put the power of the trial lawyers within New Mexico’s Democratic Party on full display. With several hundred million dollars of taxpayer investments already made in the Spaceport, the trial lawyers managed to choke off the bill, which was sponsored by Democrat Mary Kay Papen, who also happens to be from Dona Ana County.

It is a good bet that the departure of Senators Nava and Fischmann reflects their frustration with the highly partisan attitude of Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez. The last two sessions the behavior of Sanchez has bordered on obsession. His actions would not allow any elected officials in his party to work across the isle to accomplish anything that might lead to Susana Martinez getting credit.

Michael Sanchez

Make no mistake about reasons behind several of the resignation announcements from elected officials. Most of the people went to work in Santa Fe in the hopes of finding common ground. And they were completely fed up with the dictatorship of Michael Sanchez. Ultimately these people realize that little can be accomplished as long as Sanchez holds a leadership position. Sadly, the Democratic caucus has enabled Sanchez. And in doing so, they have allowed him to waste a lot of people’s time over the last two years.

The Sanchez Dictatorship is "Highly Partisan"