I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
SunCal Corp. has filed a “lobbying advertising campaign” report with the New Mexico secretary of state, detailing $232,540 in advertising costs the company incurred to promote its legislative priorities during the session.
As was widely reported during the session, the company undertook a massive advertising campaign in support of its quest to obtain a tax increment development district, or TIDD, for a project on the far west side of Albuquerque. The creation of the TIDD would have allowed the company to use future tax revenues generated within the boundaries of the project to pay off the costs it incurred to put in infrastructure such as roads, sewer and water lines, and parks.
The advertising campaign included billboards, radio and television ads, and direct mail that encouraged people to go to the company’s Web site about TIDDs. That Web site then encouraged its readers to call, write or e-mail their legislators in support of the TIDD legislation.
In all, the company spent $232,540 — detailed on its report to the secretary of state.
The biggest expenditure went to D.W. Turner, with a little over $50,000 for “creative services.” And three local television stations in Albuquerque raked in $80,000 together.
The failure of the TIDD bill, SB 249, on the floor of the state House on the final night of the session was a shocker to the political and media classes, as many thought the bill was “greased.” The final vote was a 33-33 tie, as was the re-vote just a few minutes later — with the votes cast by legislators on that second attempt being slightly different but totaling the same, 33-33.
In addition to the advertising, the company had eight professional lobbyists working on its behalf during the session.
Hat tip to Democracy for New Mexico for the file.
