Under a proposal by the Legislative Finance Committee, state employees would put 1.75 percent more of their salaries into the state's pension plans to help shore up the state's budget crisis.
That and other plans are under consideration by the panel today. The average cut to state programs would be 3.5 percent, although some say larger cuts will be needed. Check out coverage here by Barry Massey.
With the shortfall at $400 million, expect pension plans to be just one benefit of state workers that gets an extra hard look this session.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Martinez chose former astronaut for energy department
Former astronaut and U.S. Sen. Harrison "Jack" Schmitt will serve as the state's secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Gov. Susana Martinez announced.
"Senator Schmitt’s diverse background gives him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be helpful in guiding the responsible development and protection of New Mexico’s diverse natural resources," Martinez said in a statement. "Harnessing and developing energy sources right here in New Mexico is critical to reviving our economy and creating jobs."
Environmentalists are sure to not like Schmitt's stance on global warming. He says he disagrees with scientists who say it is caused by humans.
Martinez still has other Cabinet posts to announce, but has selected many already. If you are having trouble keeping track, check out this story I did last week on the appointees so far.
All her appointees face confirmation by the state Senate after the session begins Jan. 18.
"Senator Schmitt’s diverse background gives him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be helpful in guiding the responsible development and protection of New Mexico’s diverse natural resources," Martinez said in a statement. "Harnessing and developing energy sources right here in New Mexico is critical to reviving our economy and creating jobs."
Environmentalists are sure to not like Schmitt's stance on global warming. He says he disagrees with scientists who say it is caused by humans.
Martinez still has other Cabinet posts to announce, but has selected many already. If you are having trouble keeping track, check out this story I did last week on the appointees so far.
All her appointees face confirmation by the state Senate after the session begins Jan. 18.
Martinez names health secretary
Gov. Susana Martinez announced has nominated Dr. Catherine Torres as secretary of the Department of Health.
Torres is a pediatrician at the Rio Grande Medical Group in Las Cruces and has served on the U.S. – Mexico Border Health Commission and the New Mexico – Sonora Commission.
"It is a privilege to be asked to serve as the Governor’s Health Secretary," Torres said in a statement. "I look forward to applying the real-world experience I have gained working with New Mexico children and families to the administration of the Department of Health and the development of public policy in order to keep the people of our state healthy."
The appointment is a good sign for the state's children, who often are on the wrong end of too many bad lists. Having a children's doctor in charge of the DOH likely will mean kid's health will be a priority for the administration.
Torres is a pediatrician at the Rio Grande Medical Group in Las Cruces and has served on the U.S. – Mexico Border Health Commission and the New Mexico – Sonora Commission.
"It is a privilege to be asked to serve as the Governor’s Health Secretary," Torres said in a statement. "I look forward to applying the real-world experience I have gained working with New Mexico children and families to the administration of the Department of Health and the development of public policy in order to keep the people of our state healthy."
The appointment is a good sign for the state's children, who often are on the wrong end of too many bad lists. Having a children's doctor in charge of the DOH likely will mean kid's health will be a priority for the administration.
Some Cabinet secretaries to earn only a little less
All of the Cabinet secretaries in the Martinez administration will be earning less than those before them. How much less, you ask? I've got the details in my story here.
And while they are all less, some aren't much less. Human Services Department Secretary-designate Sidonie Squier will earn $117,000 a year if confirmed by the state Senate, while former Gov. Bill Richardson's human services secretary, Katie Falls, earned $117,277. Others will earn significantly less.
Speaking of the salaries, I've got to say that I easily received the information about who was making what, without having to file a formal records request. That is a refreshing change and a good sign that this administration intends to be accessible when it comes to public records.
And while they are all less, some aren't much less. Human Services Department Secretary-designate Sidonie Squier will earn $117,000 a year if confirmed by the state Senate, while former Gov. Bill Richardson's human services secretary, Katie Falls, earned $117,277. Others will earn significantly less.
Speaking of the salaries, I've got to say that I easily received the information about who was making what, without having to file a formal records request. That is a refreshing change and a good sign that this administration intends to be accessible when it comes to public records.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Cabinet secretaries to earn less
Gov. Susana Martinez just announced that Cabinet secretaries in her administration will earn less than those under Gov. Bill Richardson. She also said that no secretary will earn more than $125,000 a year. No details yet, however, on specific salaries.
"Families and small businesses across New Mexico are being forced to balance their budgets and cut back on their spending," she said.
"It’s time for government to do the same and my cabinet will be leading by example."
Martinez also has said that the cumulative salaries for her administration will be 10 percent less than those of the Richardson administration.
"Families and small businesses across New Mexico are being forced to balance their budgets and cut back on their spending," she said.
"It’s time for government to do the same and my cabinet will be leading by example."
Martinez also has said that the cumulative salaries for her administration will be 10 percent less than those of the Richardson administration.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Martinez has already signed four executive orders
Gov. Susana Martinez wasted no time in getting to work after taking office at midnight. Her office by 12:09 was sending out copies of the executive orders she signed.
I'm going to let you read them for yourself below, but in general they seem to point to a willingness to be with the media and the public, and to help investigators with any ongoing research related to Gov. Bill Richardson's administration. Another prohibits state agencies from hiring lobbyists while another aims to help small businesses by creating a task force that looks at how the state can be more business friendly.
Here's the info from her office on each executive order. I'm checking to see where they are posted online in case you want to look up future orders.
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
Executive Order Demonstrates Martinez’s Commitment to Responsibly Exercise The Claim Of Executive Privilege In Response To IPRA Requests
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that demonstrates her commitment to responsibly exercising the claim of executive privilege in response to requests made under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). The order ensures greater transparency and openness in the process used by the public and the press to access public documents, clarifying that the new administration does not intend to use executive privilege to unjustifiably block the public’s view of the activities of state government.
The full text of the Executive Order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-003
LIMITING THE CLAIM OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, the citizens of New Mexico are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. To provide citizens with public information should be recognized as an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officers and employees;
WHEREAS access to public information should be the rule, and denial thereof the exception;
WHEREAS the executive communications privilege is a constitutionally-based privilege recognized by the New Mexico courts;
WHEREAS this administration will not allow the blanket assertion of privileges to avoid the production of public records that disclose or suggest criminal or questionable activity by public officials;
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. “Executive Privilege” can only be invoked with written authorization from the Office of the Governor;
2. Requests to invoke the privilege shall be carefully considered and limited to circumstances in which:
a. the information sought to be held confidential consists of communications between or among the Governor, a Cabinet Secretary, an agency head or any of their high-level advisors;
b. the advice was rendered in connection to a pending or anticipated decision;
c. the Office of the Governor determines that the information sought to be kept confidential does not consist of evidence of potential or actual government misconduct; and
d. the Office of the Governor independently is satisfied that these conditions have been met.
3. Information or documents requested that contain information subject to an appropriate invocation of the executive privilege will be redacted so that any other information on the document that is properly public is disclosed.
4. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be the basis of any lawsuit or challenge to any public records determination.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING AGENCIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that requires all state agencies and employees to fully cooperate with a request or inquiry by a Federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-002
REQUIRING ALL STATE AGENCIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE WITH A REQUEST OR INQUIRY BY A FEDERAL CIVIL OR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, state agencies of the State of New Mexico have in the recent past been subject to investigation and scrutiny by federal law enforcement agencies and federal civil investigative authorities;
WHEREAS, it appears that federal civil and criminal subpoenas have been required by state agencies and their employees before their producing documents to federal investigative agencies;
WHEREAS, it appears that executive privilege may have been invoked in partial resistance to compliance with the aforementioned federal subpoenas;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this administration to expose corruption in state government at all levels;
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. All state agencies and employees shall cooperate truthfully and in good faith with any request or inquiry from any federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
2. No state agency or employee shall require service of a subpoena before responding in good faith to a request for records from a federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
3. No state agency, its counsel, or its employees shall invoke executive privilege in response to any federal subpoena or request for information without express consent from the Office of the Governor.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
__________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS AND BOARDS FROM HIRING LOBBYISTS
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that prohibits state agencies, departments and boards from hiring lobbyists. The order ensures that taxpayer dollars are not expended on lobbyists to represent state entities, given that this is a key role and responsibility that taxpayers rightfully expect to be handled by elected and appointed public officials.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-004
PROHIBITING STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, OR BOARDS FROM HIRING LOBBYISTS
WHEREAS, as a matter of public policy, public monies should not be expended by state agencies, departments, or boards to hire lobbyists to procure additional state funding;
WHEREAS, during a significant fiscal crisis, the government of the State of New Mexico has the vested authority to be the good steward of state funds and taxpayer dollars;
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of New Mexico to prohibit the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of hiring lobbyists by state agencies, departments, or boards.
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. No state agency, department or board, over which the Governor retains authority, may retain or hire a lobbyist, as defined in NMSA 1978 §2-11-2.
2. Any existing contract between such a state government entity and any individual or entity for lobbying shall be terminated at the earliest opportunity.
3. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be a basis for a challenge to rules or regulations or other action or inaction by any state governmental entity.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDER, CREATES SMALL BUSINESS TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND RED-TAPE CUTS
Executive Order Would Also Freeze Pending And Proposed Regulations For 90 Days
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed her first executive order, which establishes a small business task force to identify red-tape regulations that are harmful to business growth and job creation in New Mexico and report its findings to the Governor. The task force, chaired by Secretary-designate of Economic Development, Jon Barela, will conduct its review over a 90-day period, during which all proposed and pending regulations will be frozen.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-001
FORMATION OF A SMALL BUSINESS-FRIENDLY TASK FORCE;
ESTABLISHING A 90-DAY REVIEW PERIOD FOR ALL PROPOSED AND PENDING RULES AND REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, New Mexico’s citizens, their government, and all persons doing business in this State have a mutual interest in the proper administration of government and business, requiring common sense administrative rules and regulations that are comprehensible, reasonable, consistent, predictable, responsive, and without undue redundancy;
WHEREAS, one of the priorities of the Governor of New Mexico is establishing a common sense approach to executive rules and regulations, in accordance with the constitutional authority to direct the departments and agencies of the State of New Mexico, by establishing a “Small Business-Friendly Task Force” chaired by the Secretary of Economic Development;
WHEREAS, most proposed and pending rules and regulations can be temporarily suspended without detriment to the health or welfare of the citizens of New Mexico;
WHEREAS, ninety days is a reasonable time to review such proposed and pending rules and regulations, to examine them from various perspectives as to their workability, reasonableness, and determine whether they are proper and necessary;
WHEREAS, such an effort is timely given current unemployment levels and state budget difficulties, in order to create economic opportunity for each and every New Mexican, while protecting and preserving the health, safety and welfare of our community.
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and by its statutes, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. All proposed and pending rules and regulations, excluding those not under the authority of the Governor, are suspended for a period of review of 90 days unless excepted as set forth below.
2. Proposed and pending regulations shall not be suspended if doing so would:
a. Adversely impact public health;
b. Adversely impact public safety or security;
c. Fail to comply with a judicial order or deadline;
d. Prevent the respective department or agency from carrying out its essential functions and duties; or
e. Prevent qualification for any federal funds or certifications.
3. Each department or agency shall submit to the Office of the Governor a comprehensive listing of proposed and pending rules and regulations, for review not later than January 14, 2011.
4. Any proposed or pending rules and regulations to which this Order applies and the department or agency believes should be treated as an exception pursuant to paragraph 2, shall be separately identified as such, with a statement as to the basis for the exception and how it applies.
5. The Office of the Governor may, with the advice of the head of the department or agency affected, determine whether any rule or regulation initially excepted under paragraph 2 shall remain excepted. The Office of the Governor may, with the advice of the head of the department or agency affected, determine whether any rule or regulation not initially excepted under paragraph 2 shall also be excepted.
6. Each department and agency shall also review all of its existing rules and regulations with a view to enhancing the purpose of this Task Force, and no later than January 31, 2011, identify to the Secretary of Economic Development each rule or regulation, the rescinding or revision of which could significantly enhance the business environment in New Mexico through economic development and employment growth.
7. The Task Force shall, at a minimum, consist of the Secretaries of Taxation and Revenue, Workforce Solutions, General Services, and others whom the Governor may designate.
8. The Task Force shall make a report to the Governor no later than 90 days from the effective date of this order, and shall continue, as needed, to make specific legislative and regulatory recommendations to achieve economic growth and stability in New Mexico.
9. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be a basis for a challenge to rules or regulations or any other action or inaction by any New Mexico governmental department or agency.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
I'm going to let you read them for yourself below, but in general they seem to point to a willingness to be with the media and the public, and to help investigators with any ongoing research related to Gov. Bill Richardson's administration. Another prohibits state agencies from hiring lobbyists while another aims to help small businesses by creating a task force that looks at how the state can be more business friendly.
Here's the info from her office on each executive order. I'm checking to see where they are posted online in case you want to look up future orders.
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
Executive Order Demonstrates Martinez’s Commitment to Responsibly Exercise The Claim Of Executive Privilege In Response To IPRA Requests
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that demonstrates her commitment to responsibly exercising the claim of executive privilege in response to requests made under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). The order ensures greater transparency and openness in the process used by the public and the press to access public documents, clarifying that the new administration does not intend to use executive privilege to unjustifiably block the public’s view of the activities of state government.
The full text of the Executive Order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-003
LIMITING THE CLAIM OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, the citizens of New Mexico are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. To provide citizens with public information should be recognized as an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officers and employees;
WHEREAS access to public information should be the rule, and denial thereof the exception;
WHEREAS the executive communications privilege is a constitutionally-based privilege recognized by the New Mexico courts;
WHEREAS this administration will not allow the blanket assertion of privileges to avoid the production of public records that disclose or suggest criminal or questionable activity by public officials;
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. “Executive Privilege” can only be invoked with written authorization from the Office of the Governor;
2. Requests to invoke the privilege shall be carefully considered and limited to circumstances in which:
a. the information sought to be held confidential consists of communications between or among the Governor, a Cabinet Secretary, an agency head or any of their high-level advisors;
b. the advice was rendered in connection to a pending or anticipated decision;
c. the Office of the Governor determines that the information sought to be kept confidential does not consist of evidence of potential or actual government misconduct; and
d. the Office of the Governor independently is satisfied that these conditions have been met.
3. Information or documents requested that contain information subject to an appropriate invocation of the executive privilege will be redacted so that any other information on the document that is properly public is disclosed.
4. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be the basis of any lawsuit or challenge to any public records determination.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING AGENCIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that requires all state agencies and employees to fully cooperate with a request or inquiry by a Federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-002
REQUIRING ALL STATE AGENCIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE WITH A REQUEST OR INQUIRY BY A FEDERAL CIVIL OR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, state agencies of the State of New Mexico have in the recent past been subject to investigation and scrutiny by federal law enforcement agencies and federal civil investigative authorities;
WHEREAS, it appears that federal civil and criminal subpoenas have been required by state agencies and their employees before their producing documents to federal investigative agencies;
WHEREAS, it appears that executive privilege may have been invoked in partial resistance to compliance with the aforementioned federal subpoenas;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this administration to expose corruption in state government at all levels;
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. All state agencies and employees shall cooperate truthfully and in good faith with any request or inquiry from any federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
2. No state agency or employee shall require service of a subpoena before responding in good faith to a request for records from a federal civil or criminal investigative authority.
3. No state agency, its counsel, or its employees shall invoke executive privilege in response to any federal subpoena or request for information without express consent from the Office of the Governor.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
__________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS AND BOARDS FROM HIRING LOBBYISTS
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed an executive order that prohibits state agencies, departments and boards from hiring lobbyists. The order ensures that taxpayer dollars are not expended on lobbyists to represent state entities, given that this is a key role and responsibility that taxpayers rightfully expect to be handled by elected and appointed public officials.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-004
PROHIBITING STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, OR BOARDS FROM HIRING LOBBYISTS
WHEREAS, as a matter of public policy, public monies should not be expended by state agencies, departments, or boards to hire lobbyists to procure additional state funding;
WHEREAS, during a significant fiscal crisis, the government of the State of New Mexico has the vested authority to be the good steward of state funds and taxpayer dollars;
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of New Mexico to prohibit the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of hiring lobbyists by state agencies, departments, or boards.
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. No state agency, department or board, over which the Governor retains authority, may retain or hire a lobbyist, as defined in NMSA 1978 §2-11-2.
2. Any existing contract between such a state government entity and any individual or entity for lobbying shall be terminated at the earliest opportunity.
3. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be a basis for a challenge to rules or regulations or other action or inaction by any state governmental entity.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ SIGNS FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDER, CREATES SMALL BUSINESS TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND RED-TAPE CUTS
Executive Order Would Also Freeze Pending And Proposed Regulations For 90 Days
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed her first executive order, which establishes a small business task force to identify red-tape regulations that are harmful to business growth and job creation in New Mexico and report its findings to the Governor. The task force, chaired by Secretary-designate of Economic Development, Jon Barela, will conduct its review over a 90-day period, during which all proposed and pending regulations will be frozen.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-001
FORMATION OF A SMALL BUSINESS-FRIENDLY TASK FORCE;
ESTABLISHING A 90-DAY REVIEW PERIOD FOR ALL PROPOSED AND PENDING RULES AND REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, New Mexico’s citizens, their government, and all persons doing business in this State have a mutual interest in the proper administration of government and business, requiring common sense administrative rules and regulations that are comprehensible, reasonable, consistent, predictable, responsive, and without undue redundancy;
WHEREAS, one of the priorities of the Governor of New Mexico is establishing a common sense approach to executive rules and regulations, in accordance with the constitutional authority to direct the departments and agencies of the State of New Mexico, by establishing a “Small Business-Friendly Task Force” chaired by the Secretary of Economic Development;
WHEREAS, most proposed and pending rules and regulations can be temporarily suspended without detriment to the health or welfare of the citizens of New Mexico;
WHEREAS, ninety days is a reasonable time to review such proposed and pending rules and regulations, to examine them from various perspectives as to their workability, reasonableness, and determine whether they are proper and necessary;
WHEREAS, such an effort is timely given current unemployment levels and state budget difficulties, in order to create economic opportunity for each and every New Mexican, while protecting and preserving the health, safety and welfare of our community.
THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and by its statutes, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. All proposed and pending rules and regulations, excluding those not under the authority of the Governor, are suspended for a period of review of 90 days unless excepted as set forth below.
2. Proposed and pending regulations shall not be suspended if doing so would:
a. Adversely impact public health;
b. Adversely impact public safety or security;
c. Fail to comply with a judicial order or deadline;
d. Prevent the respective department or agency from carrying out its essential functions and duties; or
e. Prevent qualification for any federal funds or certifications.
3. Each department or agency shall submit to the Office of the Governor a comprehensive listing of proposed and pending rules and regulations, for review not later than January 14, 2011.
4. Any proposed or pending rules and regulations to which this Order applies and the department or agency believes should be treated as an exception pursuant to paragraph 2, shall be separately identified as such, with a statement as to the basis for the exception and how it applies.
5. The Office of the Governor may, with the advice of the head of the department or agency affected, determine whether any rule or regulation initially excepted under paragraph 2 shall remain excepted. The Office of the Governor may, with the advice of the head of the department or agency affected, determine whether any rule or regulation not initially excepted under paragraph 2 shall also be excepted.
6. Each department and agency shall also review all of its existing rules and regulations with a view to enhancing the purpose of this Task Force, and no later than January 31, 2011, identify to the Secretary of Economic Development each rule or regulation, the rescinding or revision of which could significantly enhance the business environment in New Mexico through economic development and employment growth.
7. The Task Force shall, at a minimum, consist of the Secretaries of Taxation and Revenue, Workforce Solutions, General Services, and others whom the Governor may designate.
8. The Task Force shall make a report to the Governor no later than 90 days from the effective date of this order, and shall continue, as needed, to make specific legislative and regulatory recommendations to achieve economic growth and stability in New Mexico.
9. This Order does not create any legal rights on the part of any person or entity and shall not be a basis for a challenge to rules or regulations or any other action or inaction by any New Mexico governmental department or agency.
THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
_________ day of ___________________, 2011.
DIANNA DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
________________________________________
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO
###
Full text of Martinez speech
Just in case you didn't brave the cold to see Gov. Susana Martinez be sworn in this morning, here's a copy of her speech.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ
SANTA FE – The following is the full text of the Inaugural Address of New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, as prepared for delivery on January 1st, 2011 at the Santa Fe Plaza.
Governor Susana Martinez’s Inaugural Address
Fellow citizens of New Mexico, thank you for the great privilege of high office you have granted me and the important responsibilities you have entrusted to me. I am grateful to you beyond expression, and determined to make a difference on behalf of every one of you.
I assume the duties of Governor understanding this is a challenging time. Our state and its leaders must have the courage to make the kinds of changes that will positively impact people’s lives and put us back on a course toward prosperity.
I ask for your prayers today, and every day of my term in office that I might deserve your continued trust and support as I work with other public servants to move our beloved state in a new direction.
I am proud to be your new Governor. I am proud to have your trust at the beginning of my administration. But I will be much prouder if four years from now, I still have it. That is my highest aspiration: to prove worthy of your strength and support; to be fair and faithful and useful to the good people of New Mexico who have given me this opportunity.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the first gentleman of the State of New Mexico, my husband, Chuck Franco, in addition, my step son, Carlo who now becomes our state’s first son.
We are fortunate to have many distinguished guests with us today including Congressman Steve Pearce, Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez, Secretary of State Dianna Duran, among others. Unfortunately, the chairman of my inauguration, former Senator Pete Domenici, could not be with us today.
It is human to think on an occasion such as this of the personal journey that took you here. But it is a mistake to consider winning an election a personal triumph. You’ve given me the opportunity to help you make this beautiful state an even better home for our children. That is our shared ambition, and its accomplishment will be our shared success.
From this moment on, we must aspire together. Work together. Fight together. Triumph together. And today, only marks the first day of our journey together.
I am not a private citizen. I am your servant. And I am bound by duty and gratitude to put your interests before mine. The personal journey that brought me here has equipped me with the strength, determination and courage to be your good servant.
My family didn’t have a lot of money. My parents struggled much like families around New Mexico do today. But I was a child of privilege because I was born in the greatest country in the world. My parents gave me every advantage it was in their power to give: their love, their faith, their encouragement, their dreams and their courage. They grew old before their time working themselves so hard for us; so that we might live the dreams they dreamed for us.
I had teachers who cared about me, and wanted me to work harder for bigger goals than I thought I could achieve; to be more than I thought I could be. With so many blessings, so much love and encouragement, how could you not succeed in a country such as ours?
No matter the material circumstances of your birth, in America, anyone with hope, determination and courage should have the opportunity to succeed. Because I received those gifts from the people who loved and cared about me, I now have the privilege of being your Governor. And because I believe every child in New Mexico should have the opportunity to succeed, I asked for the privilege, and am very grateful to have it.
This is a great country, and New Mexico is a very special place. And though we are living through trying times, I can’t imagine any place on earth I would rather live.
New Mexicans have known hardships before, and overcome them. They’ve suffered setbacks before, and faced them undaunted. No generation has been free of adversity or excused from the responsibility of making our great state better. We can, we must and we will prevail over the adversity that confronts us now. We have a debt to honor from the generations that preceded us and a promise to keep to the generation that follows. Our parents built a future better than their past, and we must do the same.
We cannot just hang on. We cannot just endure misfortune and wait for our luck to change. We don’t wait on destiny here. We make our destiny. In New Mexico we will shape our own destiny and we won’t stand still. We will act. We will make our opportunities. We will dream. We will work. We will risk. We will improve. We will try. And if we fail, we will try harder.
We have much to do. Our challenges are many. And as each generation discovers for itself, our time is briefer than we once thought it would be. But there is no problem too hard for our imagination, our industry, our confidence and our freedom to overcome. We are equal to the task before us. We are bigger than our troubles. We are stronger than our obstacles. Have faith and courage, we will leave our state, our country and our world better than we found them.
We will grow an economy that offers opportunities to every New Mexican willing to seize them; that attracts new businesses and encourages existing businesses to grow and create new jobs; that rewards hard work and initiative; and that competes successfully with neighboring states because we have as much and more to offer.
No matter what steps we take to create jobs and increase opportunities, we cannot create sustained economic growth without rescuing public education. For years, we have bred a culture of poor performance and low expectations in New Mexico that denies our children the knowledge they need to have a fair chance to live their dreams.
By every measurement, we are failing them. Eighth grade reading and math scores are among the lowest in the nation. High school graduation rates are not acceptable. Turning this crisis around will not be easy and cannot be accomplished overnight. But it will be done. It must be done. There is no excuse; no hope for a better future, and no escape from the harsh judgment of history if we continue to fail in the critical responsibility of preparing our children for the challenges and opportunities that await them.
Nothing we do is more indispensable to our future well being or will receive more attention from my administration than guaranteeing our children a quality education.
Your government will represent your interests and reflect your character. We will share the same goals. We will share the same values. We will share the same sacrifices.
Government won’t ask New Mexicans to do what government itself is not willing to do. As families struggle to reduce their household budgets, so will your government. We won’t take more of your money from you or grow the deficit because we are not willing to make the same tough decisions you have had to make. We won’t shy away from tough decisions in this administration.
You are accountable for your actions. You take responsibility for your decisions. So will your government. We aren’t going to hide anything from you in the hope of escaping your fair judgment of our performance.
For too long, government has not been willing to shine the light of scrutiny upon itself. We will shine a light into the dark corners of state government in order to regain the public trust and to ensure that public officials are putting the people’s business first.
For too long, politicians have acted as though taxpayer money belonged to them, not to you, the taxpayer. As Governor, I will endeavor to move New Mexico away from the waste and excess that has defined our past.
Transparency and accountability will be core values of my administration. I will ask for nothing more than to be judged on our record. Your government will serve no interest but yours.
Appointments to my administration will be made with strict attention to the skills, qualifications and character of prospective candidates. It won’t be who they know, but who they are that will determine who I ask to join my administration. I want the best people to serve with me; people with impressive records of achievement, reputations for honesty, proven reliability and no other objective than to serve the people of New Mexico with distinction and integrity.
As we enforce without fear or favor the ethical standards of our administration, so will we enforce all the laws in this state. Those who violate the public trust will be prosecuted and punished. Lawbreakers will have no stronger adversary. Honest citizens will have no greater advocate.
I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves … fighting for justice and fairness. I intend to make certain they are the priorities of our administration.
There is no worthier or more satisfying work than to serve others in a just cause. Not every New Mexican voted for me. But every New Mexican deserves and will receive my best efforts to protect and promote their interests. I serve you all, and I am grateful to you for the privilege.
I cannot promise we will always agree on methods, but we will share the same goal of a just, prospering and limitless New Mexico; a place where every mother’s child has the encouragement and a fair opportunity to succeed as my mother’s child has; a place where dreams are made real.
I can’t promise you perfection. I will surely make mistakes, but I can promise you I will do all I can to make our home a better, stronger place. I will need your guidance, your help, your patience and your courage. Without them, I will fail. With them, we will succeed together.
“Courage,” Winston Churchill said, is “the first of human qualities because it’s the quality which guarantees all others.” My parents taught me that before I ever heard of Mr. Churchill. Standing up for what’s right always requires courage. That is never truer than in difficult times like these.
We must act boldly and quickly to overcome our challenges and make our opportunities. That will take courage from all of us. If mine ever flags, I will look to your example to restore it; and to the example of those whose courage and love gave me every advantage I needed to succeed in the greatest state in the greatest country on earth.
Let us be brave together, my fellow New Mexicans, and always remember the history of our state … be true to our inheritance … be true to ourselves … and be true to those we have been entrusted to serve. I am humbled by the privilege, and ready to begin.
God bless you and God bless New Mexico. Thank you.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ
SANTA FE – The following is the full text of the Inaugural Address of New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, as prepared for delivery on January 1st, 2011 at the Santa Fe Plaza.
Governor Susana Martinez’s Inaugural Address
Fellow citizens of New Mexico, thank you for the great privilege of high office you have granted me and the important responsibilities you have entrusted to me. I am grateful to you beyond expression, and determined to make a difference on behalf of every one of you.
I assume the duties of Governor understanding this is a challenging time. Our state and its leaders must have the courage to make the kinds of changes that will positively impact people’s lives and put us back on a course toward prosperity.
I ask for your prayers today, and every day of my term in office that I might deserve your continued trust and support as I work with other public servants to move our beloved state in a new direction.
I am proud to be your new Governor. I am proud to have your trust at the beginning of my administration. But I will be much prouder if four years from now, I still have it. That is my highest aspiration: to prove worthy of your strength and support; to be fair and faithful and useful to the good people of New Mexico who have given me this opportunity.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the first gentleman of the State of New Mexico, my husband, Chuck Franco, in addition, my step son, Carlo who now becomes our state’s first son.
We are fortunate to have many distinguished guests with us today including Congressman Steve Pearce, Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez, Secretary of State Dianna Duran, among others. Unfortunately, the chairman of my inauguration, former Senator Pete Domenici, could not be with us today.
It is human to think on an occasion such as this of the personal journey that took you here. But it is a mistake to consider winning an election a personal triumph. You’ve given me the opportunity to help you make this beautiful state an even better home for our children. That is our shared ambition, and its accomplishment will be our shared success.
From this moment on, we must aspire together. Work together. Fight together. Triumph together. And today, only marks the first day of our journey together.
I am not a private citizen. I am your servant. And I am bound by duty and gratitude to put your interests before mine. The personal journey that brought me here has equipped me with the strength, determination and courage to be your good servant.
My family didn’t have a lot of money. My parents struggled much like families around New Mexico do today. But I was a child of privilege because I was born in the greatest country in the world. My parents gave me every advantage it was in their power to give: their love, their faith, their encouragement, their dreams and their courage. They grew old before their time working themselves so hard for us; so that we might live the dreams they dreamed for us.
I had teachers who cared about me, and wanted me to work harder for bigger goals than I thought I could achieve; to be more than I thought I could be. With so many blessings, so much love and encouragement, how could you not succeed in a country such as ours?
No matter the material circumstances of your birth, in America, anyone with hope, determination and courage should have the opportunity to succeed. Because I received those gifts from the people who loved and cared about me, I now have the privilege of being your Governor. And because I believe every child in New Mexico should have the opportunity to succeed, I asked for the privilege, and am very grateful to have it.
This is a great country, and New Mexico is a very special place. And though we are living through trying times, I can’t imagine any place on earth I would rather live.
New Mexicans have known hardships before, and overcome them. They’ve suffered setbacks before, and faced them undaunted. No generation has been free of adversity or excused from the responsibility of making our great state better. We can, we must and we will prevail over the adversity that confronts us now. We have a debt to honor from the generations that preceded us and a promise to keep to the generation that follows. Our parents built a future better than their past, and we must do the same.
We cannot just hang on. We cannot just endure misfortune and wait for our luck to change. We don’t wait on destiny here. We make our destiny. In New Mexico we will shape our own destiny and we won’t stand still. We will act. We will make our opportunities. We will dream. We will work. We will risk. We will improve. We will try. And if we fail, we will try harder.
We have much to do. Our challenges are many. And as each generation discovers for itself, our time is briefer than we once thought it would be. But there is no problem too hard for our imagination, our industry, our confidence and our freedom to overcome. We are equal to the task before us. We are bigger than our troubles. We are stronger than our obstacles. Have faith and courage, we will leave our state, our country and our world better than we found them.
We will grow an economy that offers opportunities to every New Mexican willing to seize them; that attracts new businesses and encourages existing businesses to grow and create new jobs; that rewards hard work and initiative; and that competes successfully with neighboring states because we have as much and more to offer.
No matter what steps we take to create jobs and increase opportunities, we cannot create sustained economic growth without rescuing public education. For years, we have bred a culture of poor performance and low expectations in New Mexico that denies our children the knowledge they need to have a fair chance to live their dreams.
By every measurement, we are failing them. Eighth grade reading and math scores are among the lowest in the nation. High school graduation rates are not acceptable. Turning this crisis around will not be easy and cannot be accomplished overnight. But it will be done. It must be done. There is no excuse; no hope for a better future, and no escape from the harsh judgment of history if we continue to fail in the critical responsibility of preparing our children for the challenges and opportunities that await them.
Nothing we do is more indispensable to our future well being or will receive more attention from my administration than guaranteeing our children a quality education.
Your government will represent your interests and reflect your character. We will share the same goals. We will share the same values. We will share the same sacrifices.
Government won’t ask New Mexicans to do what government itself is not willing to do. As families struggle to reduce their household budgets, so will your government. We won’t take more of your money from you or grow the deficit because we are not willing to make the same tough decisions you have had to make. We won’t shy away from tough decisions in this administration.
You are accountable for your actions. You take responsibility for your decisions. So will your government. We aren’t going to hide anything from you in the hope of escaping your fair judgment of our performance.
For too long, government has not been willing to shine the light of scrutiny upon itself. We will shine a light into the dark corners of state government in order to regain the public trust and to ensure that public officials are putting the people’s business first.
For too long, politicians have acted as though taxpayer money belonged to them, not to you, the taxpayer. As Governor, I will endeavor to move New Mexico away from the waste and excess that has defined our past.
Transparency and accountability will be core values of my administration. I will ask for nothing more than to be judged on our record. Your government will serve no interest but yours.
Appointments to my administration will be made with strict attention to the skills, qualifications and character of prospective candidates. It won’t be who they know, but who they are that will determine who I ask to join my administration. I want the best people to serve with me; people with impressive records of achievement, reputations for honesty, proven reliability and no other objective than to serve the people of New Mexico with distinction and integrity.
As we enforce without fear or favor the ethical standards of our administration, so will we enforce all the laws in this state. Those who violate the public trust will be prosecuted and punished. Lawbreakers will have no stronger adversary. Honest citizens will have no greater advocate.
I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves … fighting for justice and fairness. I intend to make certain they are the priorities of our administration.
There is no worthier or more satisfying work than to serve others in a just cause. Not every New Mexican voted for me. But every New Mexican deserves and will receive my best efforts to protect and promote their interests. I serve you all, and I am grateful to you for the privilege.
I cannot promise we will always agree on methods, but we will share the same goal of a just, prospering and limitless New Mexico; a place where every mother’s child has the encouragement and a fair opportunity to succeed as my mother’s child has; a place where dreams are made real.
I can’t promise you perfection. I will surely make mistakes, but I can promise you I will do all I can to make our home a better, stronger place. I will need your guidance, your help, your patience and your courage. Without them, I will fail. With them, we will succeed together.
“Courage,” Winston Churchill said, is “the first of human qualities because it’s the quality which guarantees all others.” My parents taught me that before I ever heard of Mr. Churchill. Standing up for what’s right always requires courage. That is never truer than in difficult times like these.
We must act boldly and quickly to overcome our challenges and make our opportunities. That will take courage from all of us. If mine ever flags, I will look to your example to restore it; and to the example of those whose courage and love gave me every advantage I needed to succeed in the greatest state in the greatest country on earth.
Let us be brave together, my fellow New Mexicans, and always remember the history of our state … be true to our inheritance … be true to ourselves … and be true to those we have been entrusted to serve. I am humbled by the privilege, and ready to begin.
God bless you and God bless New Mexico. Thank you.
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