There was a somewhat contentious exchange in the Senate Rules Committee today when Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings demanded that a cabinet secretary promise to always tell the Legislature the truth even if it would cost him his job.
Legislators have complained in the past that some cabinet secretaries in the
Homans has been running the department on an interim basis for months.
When he catches one who has pledged honesty in a lie,
At times
But the leader of the Senate qualified his comments by telling Homans that he had never had a problem with him personally. That wasn’t enough to cool things off after
“This has gotten personal rather quickly,” Homans said when it was his turn to speak. “… I do take some offense.”
Homans did pledge to provide truthful information to lawmakers at all times.
“You have my truest commitment and pledge to deal with you in an utmost and forthright manner,” he said.
After Homans spoke,
“I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but I’m going to ask that of every cabinet secretary from now on,” he said. “… I think you did a pretty good job at your last cabinet position (at the Economic Development Department).”
Sen. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, didn’t appear to be impressed by
“We have not always agreed, but I believe you to be a person of the highest integrity, and I just wanted you to know that,” Feldman, a member of the committee, told Homans. “… We have to disagree without being disagreeable and leave our personal grudges against one department there and not take it to other officials.”