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.
Michael A. Rivera of Corrales has been appointed as the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC)’s new Chief of Staff. Rivera will oversee a PRC staff of more than 270 employees. His position pays $130,000 a year.
Rivera arrives at the post during a time of transition and controversy at the powerful body, which regulates insurance companies, utilities, telecommunications, transportation services, pipelines and the state fire marshal’s office.
Three of the five commissioners to which Rivera now reports will be replaced in the November general elections.
Controversy at the Insurance Division has led to resignations and an effort by commissioners to seize greater direct control over insurance rate setting.
Rivera will leave his current position as tribal administrator at the Nambé Pueblo, where he reports to a seven-member Tribal Council and the tribe’s Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
“His experience makes him well qualified to take on the challenging role of PRC chief of staff,” PRC Commissioner Jason Marks said Tuesday.
Rivera has held his position at Nambé since June 2009. Before that, he worked as a grant writing consultant, a youth development director in Mora and a small business development director at Luna Community College in Las Vegas.
Rivera replaces interim chief of staff Johnny Montoya, who stepped into the position from the Insurance Division after former chief of staff Dan Mayfield resigned to run a successful campaign for Santa Fe County Commissioner.
Mayfield couldn’t have stayed at the PRC while running for office without violating the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits public employees who administer federal funds from running for office in a partisan race.
Montoya previously called for his replacement to implement an ethics and transparency reform program at the PRC.
Rivera is a “good fit” for the PRC and a good candidate for the reform agenda, Montoya indicated Tuesday.
“I look forward to working with him,” Montoya said.
Under Montoya, the PRC began an ethics training program.
But in prepared statements Tuesday, Rivera did not mention transparency or ethics.
According to a PRC press release, Rivera’s goals include “developing and maintaining clear lines of communication and direction between his office and all employees and divisions of the agency,” “fostering a teamwork environment” with commissioners, “running a sound and fiscally accountable budge,” building relationships with state legislators and “continuing the great work of previous administrators.”
