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.
According to an Associated Press report, spending on lobbying was down this year at the Roundhouse by a third over last year, the lowest since 2000. In 2000, which had a 30-day session, lobbyist expenditures cost $309,000. As one would expect, some blamed the poor economy. An annual dinner for legislators and car dinners put on by the New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association was scrapped. Randy Traynor, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association, told the Associated Press that the reason was the poor economy. So where did the money go?
Nearly half of all expenditures went for meals and drinks. Receptions, parties and other special events accounted for a third of the lobbyist spending from January through late April.
The AP also has a list of some of the expenses. There were two that caught my eye: Four tickets ($200 value) to see stand up comedian Brian Regan for state Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque. The tickets were provided by “A lobbyist with more than a dozen clients, including the tribally owned Laguna Development Corp.” The show was on the Laguna Pueblo. The other was a set of four tickets to a professional bull riding competition. The tickets ($200 value) were given to state Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Española. Rodella is the chair of the House Business and Industry Committee. Free standup comedy and bullriding? Where do I sign my name to become a legislator?
