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Some are complaining that Gov. Susana Martinez remains in campaign mode during the legislative session. Others accuse her of breaking state law by using campaign funds to pay for issue advocacy instead of campaigning. The tension between the two reveals a potential gray area in the law. Continue Reading
The public information officer for the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, a lifelong Democrat, says she was sad to see Republican Harrison Schmitt withdraw his nomination to lead the department because he was doing a good job. Continue Reading
UPDATED: Sens. Peter Wirth and Sander Rue went on the radio this morning to decry a rule their colleagues passed that allows committee chairs or ranking members to shut down filming and photographing of public meetings. Continue Reading
The N.M. Spaceport Authority on Monday named retired Air Force civilian employee Christine Anderson to be its executive director. Continue Reading
“Tight budget doesn’t dampen this party,” declared a headline in the Sunday edition of the Albuquerque Journal. It was referring to the University of New Mexico’s continued wining and dining of legislators during the budget crunch. Continue Reading
Clearly New Mexico’s Tracy Dingmann has obtained some interesting documents related to the governor’s “Small Business-Friendly Task Force” and has some revealing posts about them. Continue Reading
Promoting government transparency and accessibility is what motivates me to publish this site. It’s why I called out senators last week for passing an unconstitutional rule and challenged the governor to expand webcasting. But I need your help to continue doing that work. Continue Reading
Following Heath Haussamen’s exchange last week with Sens. John Arthur Smith and Sue Wilson Beffort, the Senate’s controversial rule requiring permission to photograph or film committee meetings is getting some media attention. Continue Reading
The N.M. Foundation for Open Government sent a letter to Senate committee chairs and ranking members today stating that it is “gravely concerned” that senators are placing “new and unconstitutional restrictions” on people wanting to photograph or film public meetings. Continue Reading
While I’ve been in Santa Fe this week, I’ve been talking to people about the state budget and found that there are some interesting and, in some instances, unconventional dynamics in play. Continue Reading
Gov. Susana Martinez says her administration is going to webcast meetings of the State Investment Council and some other executive branch boards and commissions, and adds that others should not be prohibited from webcasting such meetings. Continue Reading
A new Senate rule that may be aimed at trying to stop the governor’s webcasting not only infringes on the governor’s right to document what’s happening in legislative committees – it also led to me being inappropriately questioned on Thursday. Continue Reading
At least one Democrat in the Legislature says the state should repeal a law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Continue Reading
State Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, says he will seriously consider running for the 1st Congressional District seat in Congress next year – if the current U.S. representative, Democrat Martin Heinrich, opts to give up the seat to run for U.S. Senate. Continue Reading
A newly released special audit of the Region III Housing Authority finds that board members and employees were using agency money “as their own private ATM cash machine,” State Auditor Hector Balderas says. Continue Reading