On the trail of stimulus cash

Wanna know who will be getting what from the state's expected $3 billion in federal stimulus cash?

I've tried to assemble a handy list here.

See other cool sites? Let me know and I'll link to them.

It's raining subpoenas

You mean you haven't gotten one yet?

Seems like it's almost in style these days to get a subpoena. The latest was issued in the case of the OptumHealth of New Mexico contract.

Other recent ones have included the Governor's Office, the New Mexico Finance Authority, the State Auditor's Office, the state Investment Council, the Educational Retirement Board...

Maybe I should make a multiple choice quiz for future New Mexico history books so kids can match the office that's been subpoenaed with the scandal. . .

Crowd wants in on federal stimulus cash

Just 15 people RSVP'd to the meeting Thursday in Espanola on federal stimulus grant opportunities. But more than 100 showed up at the Northern New Mexico College for details on how to apply for the $2.8 billion that's supposed to be available for a variety of projects.

Interest is growing in the cash as we near the application deadlines. There's also growing curiosity about how the money will be handled and how transparent the spending will be. There are several sites dedicated to this task, I like this one best so far. Stay tuned here for other reporting on the spending in New Mexico.

Federal prosecutors want NM financial docs

Looks like there's more bad news for New Mexico on the investment front.

Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed state endowment records, according to a story on Bloomberg.com

It says in part:

"The New Mexico Investment Council, which includes Governor Bill Richardson, received the request earlier this month, said spokesman Charles Wollman, in a telephone interview. He declined to describe the contents of the subpoena, issued by the U.S. Attorney in Albuquerque. The state’s $6.3 billion teachers pension fund also received a federal subpoena, said general counsel Christopher Schatzman, who declined to describe its contents or to what it pertains."

Watch Obama town hall live

Check out KNME-TV for streaming coverage of the event in Rio Rancho this morning.

More investment unrest

Some state lawmakers are calling for a big shakeup of the state's investment-related panels in the wake of recent scandals.

Although the upcoming special session is supposed to focus on budget issues, it's a good bet lawmakers will be back with proposals to give them more say in who sits on those boards, including the State Investment Council.

Pat Lyons to run for PRC

. . . meaning he won't be running for governor, which he seemed to be thinking about in the past months.

In a press release today, the Republican, two-term land commissioner said he'd focus on the state's infrastructure if he were elected.

"Infrastructure is vital for society and the economy to function, and should be governed to protect the interests of the public. At the same time, we must sustain a healthy business climate," he said. "It can be delicate balance but I have always taken a proactive role in fostering business and industry and my sound business approach has made companies feel comfortable investing in New Mexico."

The move means the Republican primary for governor might be less crowded, but that the attention paid to the PRC could be heightened -- if that's possible, given that panel's track record . . .

Lyons would serve the southeastern part of the state on the commission. The seat he's trying for includes Quay, Curry, Roosevelt, Lea, Eddy, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Torrance, Lincoln, Otero, and Dona Ana counties, according to his release.