NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/transparency/page/11/)
For a 30-day session — one during which shifting economic forecasts necessitated a rewrite of the fiscal year 2017 budget — the session of the New Mexico Legislature that ended Thursday was arguably productive. From driver’s licenses to the state’s finances, Democrats and Republicans worked together to find compromise. Continue Reading
Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, said Wednesday he is getting a bum rap over this week’s sudden death of a proposed amendment to the N.M. Constitution to create a state ethics commission. Continue Reading
Many New Mexicans are upset that a proposal to create a state ethics commission has met its death once again in the Senate Rules Committee. Continue Reading
The change is intended to increase citizen access by giving those who can’t attend meetings in person or watch webcasts live a way to catch up at their convenience. Continue Reading
Once again, the state Senate has confirmed its status as the graveyard for ethics legislation. Continue Reading
Crossroads GPS was declared a nonprofit five years after applying, which means its donor list can remain private. Continue Reading
Across America, every state-level lawmaker was outnumbered by six companies, trade associations, unions or other groups angling for attention from 2010 to 2014, a 50-state analysis reveals. Continue Reading
In internal memos, groups opposing tighter state campaign finance rules in New Mexico and elsewhere coach their local supporters on how to battle disclosure of political donors. Continue Reading
As has been the case for years, the biggest reported expenses have been from the state’s ski and golf industries, which see the gifts as a good way to spread goodwill and get lawmakers to visit their facilities. Continue Reading
The decisions that close public meetings and secret public records must be made impartially and according to the spirit of the law, not by politicians and public servants with conflicting interests. Continue Reading
Lawmakers have held a series of private committee and subcommittee meetings over the last two weeks to discuss how to allocate more than $6 billion in state money, without the public scrutiny that comes with most committee hearings. Continue Reading
If someone is on the take, their net worth goes up. But the watchdogs are not looking at net wealth increases. Continue Reading
Weak laws, a lack of enforcement, and ethically challenged decisions add to the problem of dark money in New Mexico. Continue Reading
The nonprofit organization, called American Family Voices, is backed by retail lobby, unions, among others. Continue Reading
In the wake of revelations that lobbyists and candidates are at times reporting donations differently — making tracking some money in state politics nearly impossible — the Secretary of State’s Office says it’s working on a new rule to clarify reporting requirements. Continue Reading