Check it out: http://www.sunshineportalnm.com/
The Department of Information Technology says this is a beta version, and it's accepting feedback about the site, which puts so much information online, it's hard to fathom.
When the site is fully operational, you will be able to see which vendors are doing the most business with the state, get copies of State Land Office contracts and see how much the state brings in and how it spends its revenue. In addition, you'll be able to check out state investments, capital projects and more.
Already, though, I have got to say that in less than ten seconds I was able to click on an agency and pull up a complete list of employees and salaries -- sooooooo much easier than how we do things now. And, there's a master calendar for all the upcoming state government meetings, which is also handy.
The group that built the site, RealTimeSites, is accepting feedback for 30 days, so check it out and see what parts are easy to use and what sections need improving.
The site comes after Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, last year sponsored the measure to put the information online before July of next year. In a world that's really known for bureaucracy, this effort has been amazingly fast.
OK, I'm off to browse some more. This is a really great tool for anyone who wants to know more about state government.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A look at Richardson's discretionary stimulus spending
Former Gov. Toney Anaya, who heads up the state's Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, has said that the spending of the state's share of stimulus money will be transparent. In covering the stimulus as part of my beat, I've found that generally to be the case so far, although it took a while to get used to how the state presents the information on its website. And, it still takes some knowledge of state government speak to wade through the reports.
Anyway, when Gov. Bill Richardson announced yesterday that he was spending the last of his discretionary stimulus pot, (and not on a horse ranch) I looked back and what else he had used the $58 million in discretionary funds for. Here's a complete list, from the recovery office.
New Mexico Corrections Department. Help balance the state budget as the state continues to feel the impact of the recession. This move will help avoid cuts to important state services. $20,000,000
Help stave off additional state-employee furloughs and layoffs, $3.1 million
Graduate New Mexico! Initiative $8,312,877
Purchase land on the College of Santa Fe Campus $4,000,000
Expand Cerrillos Hills State Park and establish wild horse refuge $3,000,000
Assist teachers with health insurance premiums, professional development $2,500,000
Fund child care assistance and services $2,000,000
General Assistance Program for struggling New Mexicans $2,000,000
New construction and renovation at Los Luceros $1,750,000
Fund the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment $1,150,000
Fund new Rio Rancho fire station $1,000,000
Food purchase and transportation to address food insecurity, including matching funds for farmers' markets purchases by
SNAP recipients $1,000,000
Fund interactive whiteboards in New Mexico classrooms $1,000,000
Fund dam and structural repairs at six acequias, or community irrigation systems $823,500
Fund State Police vehicles and fuel $750,000
Fund early childhood programs $734,000
City of Albuquerque Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus $685,000
Fund Sunday Rail Runner service $643,500
Fund school breakfast and GRADS program $460,000
Cover budget shortfall to avoid furloughs in New Mexico courts $450,000
Department of Cultural Affairs furlough prevention $352,200
Fund Center for Education and Studies of Diverse Populations $350,000
Treatment services for veterans suffering from PTSD $350,000
Animal protection training for law enforcement $350,000
Construct wetlands treatment cell at Zuni Pueblo $300,000
Bernalillo County water project $300,000
Human Services Department furlough prevention $295,300
Fund juvenile justice community programs $250,000
Promote tourism opportunities in New Mexico through increased branding, advertising, and promotion $250,000
Fund Child Crisis Center of Southern New Mexico $250,000
Cover budget shortfall in the Pre-Kindergarten Program $237,123
Alleviate Developmental Disabilities Planning Council budget shortfall $209,800
Provide landscaping, furnishings, and equipment needs at New Mexico State University's Native American Student Center
$200,000
Address budget shortfall to alleviate case backlog at the Public Defender Department $200,000
Fund Santa Fe International Folk Art Market $200,000
Support domestic violence programs $200,000
International Relations Institute at New Mexico State University $200,000
New Mexico Land Grant Council funding $200,000
Energy efficiency upgrades to higher education institution campuses $200,000
Wild horse herd management on the Jicarilla Apache Nation $100,000
New Mexico Highlands University - New Mexico Cultural Programs and Materials $100,000
Gadsden Independent School District STEM Program $100,000
Completion of heating and cooling system at New Mexico School for the Deaf $100,000
Health Careers Pathway Program at Raton High School $75,000
Promote Tour of the Gila bike race in Silver City $50,000
Children of incarcerated parents $50,000
Fund budget shortfall at Lensic Performing Arts Center and free admissions for children $50,000
Regulation and Licensing Department furlough prevention $15,700
Adult Parole Board furlough prevention $8,000
Office of Natural Resources Trustee furlough prevention $7,100
Anyway, when Gov. Bill Richardson announced yesterday that he was spending the last of his discretionary stimulus pot, (and not on a horse ranch) I looked back and what else he had used the $58 million in discretionary funds for. Here's a complete list, from the recovery office.
New Mexico Corrections Department. Help balance the state budget as the state continues to feel the impact of the recession. This move will help avoid cuts to important state services. $20,000,000
Help stave off additional state-employee furloughs and layoffs, $3.1 million
Graduate New Mexico! Initiative $8,312,877
Purchase land on the College of Santa Fe Campus $4,000,000
Expand Cerrillos Hills State Park and establish wild horse refuge $3,000,000
Assist teachers with health insurance premiums, professional development $2,500,000
Fund child care assistance and services $2,000,000
General Assistance Program for struggling New Mexicans $2,000,000
New construction and renovation at Los Luceros $1,750,000
Fund the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment $1,150,000
Fund new Rio Rancho fire station $1,000,000
Food purchase and transportation to address food insecurity, including matching funds for farmers' markets purchases by
SNAP recipients $1,000,000
Fund interactive whiteboards in New Mexico classrooms $1,000,000
Fund dam and structural repairs at six acequias, or community irrigation systems $823,500
Fund State Police vehicles and fuel $750,000
Fund early childhood programs $734,000
City of Albuquerque Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus $685,000
Fund Sunday Rail Runner service $643,500
Fund school breakfast and GRADS program $460,000
Cover budget shortfall to avoid furloughs in New Mexico courts $450,000
Department of Cultural Affairs furlough prevention $352,200
Fund Center for Education and Studies of Diverse Populations $350,000
Treatment services for veterans suffering from PTSD $350,000
Animal protection training for law enforcement $350,000
Construct wetlands treatment cell at Zuni Pueblo $300,000
Bernalillo County water project $300,000
Human Services Department furlough prevention $295,300
Fund juvenile justice community programs $250,000
Promote tourism opportunities in New Mexico through increased branding, advertising, and promotion $250,000
Fund Child Crisis Center of Southern New Mexico $250,000
Cover budget shortfall in the Pre-Kindergarten Program $237,123
Alleviate Developmental Disabilities Planning Council budget shortfall $209,800
Provide landscaping, furnishings, and equipment needs at New Mexico State University's Native American Student Center
$200,000
Address budget shortfall to alleviate case backlog at the Public Defender Department $200,000
Fund Santa Fe International Folk Art Market $200,000
Support domestic violence programs $200,000
International Relations Institute at New Mexico State University $200,000
New Mexico Land Grant Council funding $200,000
Energy efficiency upgrades to higher education institution campuses $200,000
Wild horse herd management on the Jicarilla Apache Nation $100,000
New Mexico Highlands University - New Mexico Cultural Programs and Materials $100,000
Gadsden Independent School District STEM Program $100,000
Completion of heating and cooling system at New Mexico School for the Deaf $100,000
Health Careers Pathway Program at Raton High School $75,000
Promote Tour of the Gila bike race in Silver City $50,000
Children of incarcerated parents $50,000
Fund budget shortfall at Lensic Performing Arts Center and free admissions for children $50,000
Regulation and Licensing Department furlough prevention $15,700
Adult Parole Board furlough prevention $8,000
Office of Natural Resources Trustee furlough prevention $7,100
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
New sunshine portal to launch sooner than expected
Good news in the good government category: the state's sunshine portal will be unveiled Thursday at a press conference in Albuquerque.
The site promises a ton of public information in one spot, including the yearly budgets for each state agency, with a categorized monthly expenditure list, a monthly summary of the State Investment Council's investments, info on all state employees, positions and titles and revenue the state is receiving, broken out by category. In addition, it will have a regular update of the state's check ledger.
If it works as promised, this will be a super handy tool for anyone who wants quick access to accurate information about how taxpayer money is being spent.
Sen. Sander Rue, who sponsored the bill to create the website, called it a one-stop shop.
"With the click of a mouse, the public can more actively participate in its state government. This one-stop shop website allows members of the public to more readily and easily become engaged in how government runs with our tax dollars," he said in a statement.
So far, it sounds like the site will quickly become a favorite for those following state government.
The site promises a ton of public information in one spot, including the yearly budgets for each state agency, with a categorized monthly expenditure list, a monthly summary of the State Investment Council's investments, info on all state employees, positions and titles and revenue the state is receiving, broken out by category. In addition, it will have a regular update of the state's check ledger.
If it works as promised, this will be a super handy tool for anyone who wants quick access to accurate information about how taxpayer money is being spent.
Sen. Sander Rue, who sponsored the bill to create the website, called it a one-stop shop.
"With the click of a mouse, the public can more actively participate in its state government. This one-stop shop website allows members of the public to more readily and easily become engaged in how government runs with our tax dollars," he said in a statement.
So far, it sounds like the site will quickly become a favorite for those following state government.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
ERB releases new proposals
If you are following the debate over how to keep the ERB solvent, check out the new proposal the ERB has put forth. It's posted here under "preliminary solvency proposal."
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
ERB vote on pension changes postponed
The ERB just announced it has postponed by a week the decision on proposed changes to its pension plan, including making teachers work longer.
The meeting will be Dec 17 instead of the 10th. It will be held at CNM's Smith Brasher Hall in Albuquerque. (The board will still meet the 10th, just not on this topic.)
The move comes after criticism by teachers, who want more time to give input on the changes.
UPDATE, 2:36 p.m.
To clarify: the board is taking public comment on this issue Friday the 10th, but not voting.
The meeting will be Dec 17 instead of the 10th. It will be held at CNM's Smith Brasher Hall in Albuquerque. (The board will still meet the 10th, just not on this topic.)
The move comes after criticism by teachers, who want more time to give input on the changes.
UPDATE, 2:36 p.m.
To clarify: the board is taking public comment on this issue Friday the 10th, but not voting.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Are state pension plans better than the private sector?
After I wrote this story in today's paper about the status of the state's pension plans, a couple of readers pointed out it might be interesting to compare those plans to private companies.
So send me info on where you work and what your benefits are. How much do you chip in and what about your employer? How many years do you have to work before you can retire and how many employees are at your company? I hope to use the info in an upcoming story.
So send me info on where you work and what your benefits are. How much do you chip in and what about your employer? How many years do you have to work before you can retire and how many employees are at your company? I hope to use the info in an upcoming story.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Martinez names team to review aviation safety
Gov.-elect Susana Martinez has just named six men to review the safety of the state's airplane fleet. The members of the group "reflect the Governor-elect’s belief that any aircraft flying over New Mexico should be maintained safely and operated properly. Due to the fact that questions have been raised about the safe operation of state aircraft, the Governor-elect has asked a group of experts to review the matter and provide a preliminary assessment of the maintenance condition and operational safety of state government aircraft."
The team is
JOHN D. “MIKE” RICE, CHAIRMAN
Mike Rice is a retired brigadier general from the New Mexico Air National Guard and Arkansas Air National Guard. Rice currently works as an aviation consultant, and served as the director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque and director of the aviation division for the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
MIKE ARIAS
Mike Arias has is a retired chief master sergeant with the Air National Guard and worked in aviation quality assurance for 15 years.
TERRY O’BRIEN
Terry O’Brien has been involved in aviation since 1972. O’Brien currently owns and operates A&P Services LLC, an aircraft maintenance company in Edgewood. He served as the director of maintenance for a FAR Part 141 flight school in Georgia, and mechanic for a FAR Part 135 repair station and a 135 charter company in Albuquerque.
RICHARD PERRY
Richard L. Perry is a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force, and has a broad background in aviation operations and maintenance. Perry served as the director of engineering and system safety at the U.S. Air Force Safety Center and ran the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airworthiness Assurance NDI Validation Center before starting his own consulting company providing aviation safety management and forensic engineering services. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate and served as chief pilot for an FAA certificated flight school.
STEVEN SUDDARTH
Steve is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and currently the director of the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovation and Applications Center (COSMIAC) at the University of New Mexico, as well as the owner of a small airborne surveillance and imaging-related company. Suddarth has developed several airborne imaging systems for the U.S. military.
ED WHITWORTH
Ed Whitworth retired from the New Mexico Air National Guard as the 150th Logistics Group Commander. Whitworth is an aircraft maintenance officer and aircraft chief of maintenance for A7D and F16 aircraft.
The questions about the safety that Martinez is referring to were raised in this Larry Barker report.
The team is
JOHN D. “MIKE” RICE, CHAIRMAN
Mike Rice is a retired brigadier general from the New Mexico Air National Guard and Arkansas Air National Guard. Rice currently works as an aviation consultant, and served as the director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque and director of the aviation division for the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
MIKE ARIAS
Mike Arias has is a retired chief master sergeant with the Air National Guard and worked in aviation quality assurance for 15 years.
TERRY O’BRIEN
Terry O’Brien has been involved in aviation since 1972. O’Brien currently owns and operates A&P Services LLC, an aircraft maintenance company in Edgewood. He served as the director of maintenance for a FAR Part 141 flight school in Georgia, and mechanic for a FAR Part 135 repair station and a 135 charter company in Albuquerque.
RICHARD PERRY
Richard L. Perry is a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force, and has a broad background in aviation operations and maintenance. Perry served as the director of engineering and system safety at the U.S. Air Force Safety Center and ran the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airworthiness Assurance NDI Validation Center before starting his own consulting company providing aviation safety management and forensic engineering services. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate and served as chief pilot for an FAA certificated flight school.
STEVEN SUDDARTH
Steve is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and currently the director of the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovation and Applications Center (COSMIAC) at the University of New Mexico, as well as the owner of a small airborne surveillance and imaging-related company. Suddarth has developed several airborne imaging systems for the U.S. military.
ED WHITWORTH
Ed Whitworth retired from the New Mexico Air National Guard as the 150th Logistics Group Commander. Whitworth is an aircraft maintenance officer and aircraft chief of maintenance for A7D and F16 aircraft.
The questions about the safety that Martinez is referring to were raised in this Larry Barker report.
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