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Heath Haussamen is going to spend much of the last four hours of the 2010 legislative session on the New Mexico Independent’s liveblog. Join him there. Continue Reading
The Legislature has sent two bills to the governor that would enact a state whistleblower protection law. Both pieces of legislation would protect public employees from retaliation for exposing wrongdoing. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Domenici Jr. admitted on Wednesday that he has used illegal drugs in the past. Continue Reading
UPDATED: Pete Domenici Jr. on Wednesday said opponent Susana Martinez isn’t doing enough to set herself apart from the “corrupt” Richardson/Denish administration because she’s campaigning for governor while continuing to draw a salary as Dona Ana County’s district attorney. Continue Reading
UPDATED: The House has easily approved the creation of a publicly accessible, online database of financial information from government agencies in New Mexico that would include the names of exempt employees but not classified employees. Continue Reading
The clock is ticking. There are fewer than 15 hours left in the session, with some of that (probably) spent in recess so lawmakers can get some sleep. Here’s to hoping Sanchez calls the webcasting bills up for hearings before the clock runs out on Thursday. Continue Reading
The House easily approved a bill today that would punish government agencies that don’t submit timely audits by temporarily withholding some of their funding. Continue Reading
Two pieces of legislation that would expand webcasting are on the Senate calendar today. Senate Resolution 1, sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, is No. 11 on today’s calendar. House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, is No. 66. Continue Reading
State Auditor Hector Balderas announced today that the 2009 Albuquerque Public Schools financial audit contained 378 findings, the vast majority of which indicate “poor financial management and failure to adhere to internal controls in many of the district’s charter schools.” Continue Reading
While lawmakers continue to debate how to reform the State Investment Council, the group’s board has announced it will distribute $720 million to public schools and other permanent fund beneficiaries in fiscal year 2011 — an $8 million increase over the current year. Continue Reading
A day after New Mexico senators rejected Neri Holguin’s nomination to the state Environmental Improvement Board, she says she’s “surprised and disappointed” by the 17 to 25 vote — especially since she’s been sitting on the board since last July. Continue Reading
Members of the Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a proposal to create a state ethics commission this evening, but not before stripping funding for the proposal. And activist groups that are concerned about secrecy provisions in the bill aren’t supporting it, at least in its current version. Continue Reading
Maybe it is time to discuss a third party that reflects what’s actually in the state Democratic Party platform. We need a party that supports ethics reform, a fair tax system and equality for all New Mexicans. We need a party that puts the environment ahead of corporate interests. We need a party that fights for working people, not for corporate greed. Continue Reading
The House Appropriations and Finance Committee has given a do-pass recommendation to a proposal to create a state “Sunshine Portal,” so the bill needs only approval on the House floor before it heads to the governor for action. Continue Reading
The Legislature is making hard choices to cut government spending and raise the money necessary to pay for essential services. While no one is happy about the choices we are making, all of us can take some comfort in knowing that the Legislature is acting responsibly. Continue Reading