RSS FeedCIBOLA COUNTY - Michael Herzenberg, a reporter from KRQE News 13, reported on Nov. 11 that as lawmakers last month worked to solve the state's budget crisis in a special legislative session, two state senators skipped much of the work to go on separate hunting trips. One was Senator David Ulibarri, D-Dist. 69, which includes Cibola County. The other was Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose.
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Sen. Ulibarri, meanwhile, left the session after just three days, instead going hunting elk in the Four Corners area.
According to Herzenberg, Ulibarri refused News 13's requests for comment, so the reporter found him at a Veterans Day ceremony in Truth or Consequences.
"You know, we wasted so much time the first four days," Ulibarri said.
Later, when Herzenberg asked about whether he felt he was protecting his constituents' interests, Ulibarri said, "I think all the interests that I represent were protected."
Ulibarri missed every vote on budget cuts. Food for the elderly, education and Medicaid took a hit statewide.
Even Bluewater Lake State Park in Ulibarri's own district is shut down for now and the Department of Corrections said it may have to close the women's prison in Grants. That could mean 150 jobs gone and hundreds of inmates freed. However, Governor Bill Richardson assured this week a delegation from Grants, including Clemente Sanchez who ran against Ulibarri and ultimately lost a very close race late last year, that the women's prison will not close.
During the interview with Herzenbery, Ulibarri said he didn't feel his absence was a story.
"I think this is a story that is worthy, these veterans that are here," he said.
But, when Herzenberg said the state's Department of Veterans Services was one of the departments cut during the session, Ulibarri said, "I think that is one of those that will be vetoed."
Also absent for part of the session was Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, who spent the first three days of the session hunting elk.
He told News 13 he had finally won the lottery for an elk-hunting license and didn't want to miss the chance. He returned to the Roundhouse in time for all of the budget votes.
Dick Knipfing, anchorman for the station, said as he opened the investigation piece on Wednesday evening, “Lawmakers dropped everything they had and headed to Santa Fe to handle the state's money mess . . . well, not all lawmakers - two went hunting.”
Calls to Ullibarri's cell phone and residence went unanswered.
Comments
Santa Clause wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:46 AM:
Disappointed wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:36 AM:
Danny wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:44 PM:
I plan to spend a lot of time campaigning in Socorro for his rival during the next campaign. Time to send Ulibarri home. "
concerned wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:01 AM:
ccs wrote on Nov 16, 2009 9:58 AM:
Eddie wrote on Nov 14, 2009 7:51 PM:
JoAnna wrote on Nov 14, 2009 2:03 PM:
Common Sense wrote on Nov 14, 2009 11:17 AM:
His reputation is already suspect after instances surrounding the last election's results, among other things and this should be the last straw as far as the residents of the district are concerned.
I haven't even seen or heard a public apology and how did Ulibarri get marked present anyway? An apology should have been forthcoming the next day at the latest. Is he even sorry?
Not that it is a defense but the other representative was at least there to vote. This is one of those times the voters can actually read between the lines and see an elected official's true colors. Now let's not forget! "
vic4111 wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:39 PM:
Please post this in the Dear Editor section as well "
Not Surprised wrote on Nov 13, 2009 11:18 AM:
not surprised wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:36 AM:
Donna Smith wrote on Nov 12, 2009 8:45 PM:
Ernie Nalty wrote on Nov 12, 2009 5:48 PM:
You ALL Know Him.............. "