New Mexico Political History 1967-2015

Conversations With Those Directly Involved

Jamie Koch, lifelong Santa Fean, known by many as a major powerbroker in the state of New Mexico according to the New Mexico Business Weekly, has been an often behind-the-scenes voice for fiscal responsibility and prudent planning as well as being an unselfish public servant in New Mexico politics since 1968. In this book is a collection of his candid, recorded conversations with key people who have helped shape New Mexico over the years. It provides a unique look at New Mexico political history from 1967 to 2015 through conversations with those directly involved. Topics of these conversations include the state’s first subdivision regulation, the Open Meetings Act, the severance tax permanent fund, the Terrero Superfund cleanup, the founding of the New Mexico Mutual Casualty Company, Project SEARCH and Koch’s thirteen years as regent of the University of New Mexico. Forty-two significant individuals are interviewed including former governor Bill Richardson; United States Senator Martin Heinrich; Senior Editor of the Albuquerque Journal Kent Walz; former House Speaker Raymond Sanchez; Paul Roth, MD, chancellor, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and dean of the School of Medicine; Chaouki Abdallah, past interim president of the University of New Mexico and past provost; former CEO of the University of New Mexico Hospital Steve McKernan, former State Superintendent of Insurance Chris Krahling; and Bill King, son of former governor Bruce King. Anyone interested in New Mexico politics and politics in general will find this book invaluable.