Political watchers in New Mexico are buzzing about Gov. Bill Richardson’s presence at a White House State Dinner earlier this week. Politics Daily reports that speculation centers on Richardson taking a post in the Obama Administration, possibly an ambassadorship:
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AP: Bill Richardson Cleared in Fed’s Probe
Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former high-ranking members of his administration won’t be criminally charged in a yearlong federal investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving one of the Democratic governor’s large political donors, someone familiar with the case said.
Video of some of the Spaceport America festivities.
New Mexico breaks ground on commercial spaceport
Reuters
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson broke ground on Friday on construction of Spaceport America, the world’s first facility built specifically for space-bound commercial customers and fee-paying passengers.
Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee
Associated Press
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary, citing “irresolvable conflicts” with President Barack Obama’s handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census.
Looks like millionauts and their families won’t be able to sue billionaire Richard Branson if they get injured or killed flying one of Sir Richard’s suborbital space vehicles in New Mexico. At least if a bill now in the Legislature gets passed.
Gov. Bill Richardson appoints Dolores Connor, Sandy Jones to spaceport board
Las Cruces Sun-News
Two southern New Mexico leaders have been appointed to represent the state on the six-member Spaceport America Regional District Board, a group that will oversee public money used to pay for the infrastructure development of Spaceport America.
Richardson Withdraws Name for Cabinet (with Video) MSNBC NBC’s Lisa Myers reported last month: “The allegations now being investigated by a federal grand jury involve whether Richardson as governor steered state bond business to a firm whose founder made substantial contributions to Richardson’s political action committee. Two former state officials involved in the bond deals told NBC News that they testified before a grand jury in Albuquerque last week. One […]
Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary
MSNBC
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.
“Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact,” he said Sunday in a report by NBC News. “But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.”
SPACEPORT AMERICA PRESS RELEASE
Governor Bill Richardson today announced that Virgin Galactic has signed a 20 year lease agreement with the State of New Mexico. Virgin Galactic’s world headquarters will be established in New Mexico and its operations will be located at New Mexico’s Spaceport America, the nation’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport.