http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/main/C530/L/ New West Network: The Voice of the Rocky Mountains en info@newwest.net Copyright 2009 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:06:22 MST Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:06:22 MST http://www.newwest.net/city/article/lets_give_the_new_mexico_auditor_some_teeth/C530/C530/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:56:23 MST So in September, State Auditor Hector Balderas publicly shamed 87 government agencies in New Mexico by releasing to the media a list of agencies that hadn't submitted annual and compliance audits to the state as required by law. It was the first time the auditor publicly released such a list, and dozens of agencies responded by immediately turning in late audits or at least calling Balderas' office to make arrangements to get their audits done. But 34 agencies didn't even bother to respond, though they're required by law to submit annual audits. (Check out the list of the 34 agencies, courtesy of The Santa Fe New Mexican's Kate Nash.) Balderas has basically no recourse to get those agencies to comply with a state law that is designed to help ensure those agencies aren't rife with fraud, waste and abuse. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/people_need_each_other_not_just_the_system/C530/C530/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:38:13 MST You can't rely on the system. Before you mentally check out because of my use of the cliché; "the system," hear me out. I'm talking about any structure we put in place to organize and improve our lives, and that includes government, churches, the medical system and, in this instance, the law enforcement system. So let me start again: You can't rely on the system. No one knows this better than a victim of domestic violence, and a month ago I had an opportunity to hear from a woman who understands this reality better than most. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/the_problem_of_poverty_transcends_ideology/C530/C530/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:45:05 MST The pastor of my church caught my attention on Sunday when he said that some people live in such horrible circumstances that they can't pull themselves out of poverty, and so we shouldn't fall into the trap of believing poor people are lazy and just need to get a job. It caught my attention because it's not the sort of thing you hear every day in an evangelical church. I found myself looking around to see who was offended by my pastor's words. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/nms_rep_teague_could_be_in_trouble_in_2010/C530/C530/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:44:11 MST Analysts and political operatives are increasingly saying that House Democrats could face significant election losses in 2010. New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District is, in my view, one of the seats most likely to flip. The GOP couldn't have a better candidate to take on a Democratic incumbent than former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who is challenging current U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., next year. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/us_attorneys_letter_in_richardson_case_was_inappropriate/C530/C530/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:14:28 MST "Hi. I'm not going to file criminal charges against your clients at this time, even though my investigation revealed wrongdoing. Know that I'm watching your clients. There are other investigations pending, and if circumstances warrant, I might restart this one as well." http://www.newwest.net/city/article/hes_left_a_great_void_in_our_public_life/C530/C530/ Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:59:03 MST Vice President Joe Biden touchingly described the loss of Sen. Edward Kennedy in a very personal statement, saying "He's left a great void in our public life, and a hole in the hearts of millions of Americans and hundreds of us who were affected by his personal touch throughout our lives." I'm among those lucky enough to have had the briefest brushes with the man in his element, in a committee room in the Capitol where I was staffing my then boss in a conference committee. The Senator's appearance was brief, but decisive. Once he walked into the room, there was little doubt that his amendment would be included in the final bill, though it wasn't in the House version. And after he spoke any doubt that might have existed vanished. He ruled the day. He elevated the otherwise mundane proceedings, at least for me, giving me a sense of the import and the great gift I had been given to be seated at a table in the nation's Capitol, having a hand in the people's business. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/a_microcosm_of_nms_corrupt_political_system/C530/C530/ Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:30:22 MST In recent weeks, it's become crystal clear that New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission is a mess. State government in New Mexico has been plagued by scandal in recent years. The PRC is a microcosm of that scandal. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/town_hall_violence_isnt_helping_anything/C530/C530/ Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:10:24 MST A libertarian activist in Albuquerque crossed a line on Friday when he advocated physical violence against members of left-leaning groups at town hall meetings on health-care reform. I'm not giving the guy the publicity of linking to his page or publishing his name, but I will tell you that he posted messages on Twitter stating that people should use "retaliation... be it verbal or physical" against members of ACORN and the Service Employees International Union if they decide to attend or disrupt town-hall meetings and should "hurt them. Badly." http://www.newwest.net/city/article/john_mccain_holds_up_interior/C530/C530/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:52:37 MST Six months into a new administration, plenty of jobs are still being filled, and plenty of new policies enacted. But in some key cases--a few very prominent, some obscure, agency chairs are sitting vacant. For the most part, the nominees have been picked, are ready and waiting. But for various reasons, sometimes purely spiteful and petty, sometimes principled, Republican Senators are refusing to allow the nominations to go forward. That's what's happening now with two key Interior positions, where John McCain's ego seems to be holding up the works on a number of policy fronts. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/teague_vs_pearce_battle_is_a_clash_of_the_titans/C530/C530/ Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:06:56 MST Southern New Mexico, get ready for a deluge of political advertisements and national media attention that will last through November 2010. This week's announcement that Republican Steve Pearce will try to retake his old U.S. House seat from Democrat Harry Teague sets up what is certain to be one of the most hotly contested and high-profile House races in the nation next year.