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.
Secretary of State Mary Herrera denied all waiver requests from candidates facing Monday’s deadline for filing their first campaign finance reports of the 2010 election season, State Elections Director Don Francisco Trujillo told The Independent Tuesday. Herrera will fine candidates who miss the May 10 filing deadline for the second reports, Trujillo said.
“Not one single waiver was granted for this period,” Trujillo said. “Even those who customarily were granted waivers came in (to file). She was very firm. We will bend over backwards to help them. We will even sit down with them and help enter their data. But the one thing we will not do is grant a waiver, unless it’s literally a life or death emergency.”
Candidates were supposed to file campaign finance reports by 5 p.m. Monday, but Herrera granted an extension to assist candidates with the state’s new Campaign Finance Information System late Monday afternoon. Tuesday afternoon, 39 candidates were still struggling to complete and submit their reports.
Herrera’s staff assisted some candidates late into the evening Tuesday.
But Herrera will be less flexible in the future, Trujillo said.
“The excuses are just flimsy,” Trujillo said of waiver-seeking candidates. “Some say they don’t have Internet access. But there are libraries and Internet cafes all over the place. Or they can hire a CPA to file (for them).”
Under the New Mexico Campaign Reporting Act, the Secretary of State can fine candidates who miss filing deadlines $50 per weekday until they have submitted their campaign finance reports. The maximum fine allowed for failing to file reports is $5,000.
Herrera will fine stragglers who miss future deadlines, Trujillo said.
“On May 10, if they haven’t filed by 5 p.m., we can start fining them $50 a day,” Trujillo said.
Candidates’ next finance reports must be submitted on the system by May 10.
The third filing is due May 27, according to the SOS office filing schedule.
