Friday, August 26, 2011

Get in your redistricting comments before it's too late

Want to comment on where the boundaries for political districts in New Mexico should be? Better hurry. The last meetings of the Legislature's redistricting committee are Aug. 30 and 31.

The first meeting is Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Kennedy Lounge at Highlands University in Vegas.
On Wednesday, the meeting will be in room 307 of the Capitol.

Check out the agendas here.

The special session starts Sept. 6.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Buh bye, jet

What once cost the state more than $5.45 million was sold for $2.5 million today to an Alaska couple, the Governor's Office announced.

"The state’s luxury jet was the ultimate symbol of waste and excess," Gov. Susana Martinez said in a statement.

"There is no reason that taxpayers should have been on the hook for the millions of dollars that it cost to purchase and maintain this plane. It was a purchase that was neither practical nor cost-effective, and I’m proud that we kept our promise to sell it."

The Cessna Citation Bravo was at the center of criticism of former Gov. Bill Richardson during the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Stay tuned for what else may be on the chopping block. At least one group would like the state to get rid of its commuter train. . .

Friday, August 12, 2011

More questions on PRC gas cards

After the news of PRC Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.'s questionable gas card spending, I looked at the spending of a few others in the regulatory agency.

Turns out there are questions about charges on other accounts, as well. And outside agencies are looking into several weekend charges, as well as back to back fill ups. Read my story here.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Block out as PRC vice chair; still on the commission

A vote this morning by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission means Jerome Block Jr. is no longer the vice chairman of the panel. He is, however, still a commissioner.

Commissioners chose Theresa Becenti-Aguilar as the new vice chair. Block wasn't present at the meeting.

Stay tuned for developments in the Block case, including whether he will heed calls for his resignation.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Block on PRC agenda Thursday

Jerome Block Jr's removal as vice chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission will come up tomorrow, assuming Block doesn't resign before then, as many are calling on him to do. Stay tuned.

AMENDED AGENDA

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. INTRODUCTIONS

3. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

6. REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER JEROME D. BLOCK AS PRC VICE-CHAIR

7. ELECTION OF PRC VICE-CHAIR FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Democratic Party and Gov. Martinez call on Block to resign

This just in from Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales:

"Today I am asking PRC Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. to step down from his position as PRC Commissioner in light of the newest allegations of misuse of public dollars. The constant controversy from the Commissioner has become a distraction for New Mexicans," he said.

"The Democratic Party strives to be a voice for transparency and integrity, and the resignation of Commissioner Block will help to usher in a way forward for New Mexico that is consistent with those ideals."

Gonzales also sent Block a letter asking him to step down.

Gov. Susana Martinez also has called on Block to resign, a spokesman said. She said Block "continues to exhibit what appears to be a serious pattern of misconduct. Abusing taxpayer money and betraying the public trust raises real questions about his ability to serve the people of New Mexico."

Martinez: 'real questions' about Block's 'ability to serve'

Gov. Susana Martinez today said PRC commissioner Jerome Block Jr. is exhibiting "what appears to be a serious pattern of misconduct" in light of allegations he misused a state-issued gas card.

Martinez made the comments after this news today about charges made to the account assigned to him.

"Abusing taxpayer money and betraying the public trust raises real questions about his ability to serve the people of New Mexico," Martinez said in a statement.

More in tomorrow's paper on this developing story.


UPDATE: 5:13 p.m.

Martinez is now calling on Block to resign, a spokesman said.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

More redistricting meetings set

As it continues its work redrawing the state's political lines, the Legislature's Redistricting Committee has set two more meeting times. It also expects to meet in Santa Fe and Las Vegas after these next two meetings, ahead of a September special session on the topic.

Here is the lowdown:

The committee will meet on Aug. 15 at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque and on Aug. 16 at Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho.