Good for Your Health?

An article in the Santa Fe New Mexican discusses Common Cause New Mexico's recent report on the healthy care industry. The report, which you can read here, analyzes the substantial influence this industry has over the policy-making process with regard to health care. As we continue our push to expand public campaign financing in New Mexico, we need to emphasize the role of large campaign contributions from private industries in shaping debates over important public policies. Read the full story here.

Missing Ballots

The Associated Press' Barry Massey has done a superb job covering the strange circumstances surrounding the Democratic primary race for state senate district 30. Because only a handful of votes separate the winner, incumbent David Ulibarri, from the supposed loser, Clemente Sanchez, a recount has been ordered. Unfortunately, dozens of ballots from two separate Cibola County precincts have gone missing--enough to alter the results of the race. Common Cause has learned that the Attorney General's office is weighing whether to look into this mystery. We encourage them to do so. Having a recount without having access to all the ballots cast doesn't seem particularly useful. Here is Massey's story on the missing ballots. Here is his story about the Secretary of State's decision to revise the requirements for doing the recount.

UPDATE: Here is Massey's latest story, detailing the recount, which was done without any official public inquiry into the missing ballots.

UPDATE 2: The Attorney General has announced an investigation into the missing ballots.

Scope Broadens in Metro Court Case

Scott Sandlin of the Albuquerque Journal reports that the judge in the Metro Courthouse case has broadened the scope of the trial to include evidence about other public construction projects, including the district courthouse and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Federal prosecutors have charged former Senate President Pro Tem Manny Aragon and four others with siphoning off over $4 million from public funds for the construction of Albuquerque's Metropolitan Courthouse. The case already includes allegations of related fraud in connection with the state Department of Transportation headquarters in Santa Fe. Read the full article here. (Click on "trial access pass" to read the story.)

State Elections Adminstrator Resigns

On the cusp of what is expected to be the most hectic New Mexico election season in decades, the state's elections administrator, Daniel Miera, has resigned his post. This follows the resignation of the state's Bureau of Elections director, Daniel Ivey-Soto, a few months ago. This means New Mexico's Bureau of Elections is missing its two top officials just a few months before November's general election. Barry Massey has the full story here.

 A New Day for Ethics Reform

There's good reason to believe that the results of the recent primary election in New Mexico have created a promising new environment for ethics reform in our state. Heath Haussamen gives the details in the New Mexico Independent. Read the full article here. This means Common Cause and its allies has a wonderful new opportunity to push hard for expanding Clean Money elections, implementing campaign contribution limits, creating an indendent ethics commission and other crucial reforms. In the coming months, we'll be implementing an aggressive plan to lay the groundwork for this effort. We'll need your help. Use the contact information below to get involved.

Common Cause Works for New Mexicans

Common Cause New Mexico is one of almost three dozen state branches of Common Cause, a non-profit, non-partisan citizens' lobby organization. We believe that by banding together, citizens can make a difference. We throw a spotlight on issues that affect all New Mexicans. We work to strengthen public participation and to ensure that the political process serve the public interest, rather than the special interests. Our purpose is clear: make public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  Learn more about us!

Public Campaign Financing 2 for 1

A generous Santa Fe donor has agreed to give $25,000 to Common Cause New Mexico for a matching program to raise funds to continue our effort to expand public campaign financing in New Mexico. This means that between now and the end of the year, donors who wish to help fund an ambitious grassroots and media campaign to expand this important reform will get twice the impact for their contribution. Click the donate button on the left column of this page or call executive director Steven Robert Allen at (505) 323-6399 for additional details.