New Mexico Resource Guide
Sam Adams State Resource Guides are designed to help citizens get involved in their home state.
Do you have additional information that you'd like to see on this list? Please email your tips to resources@samadamsalliance.org.
BACKGROUND
New Mexico has been a very close state in presidential elections. It has some local initiative processes and a statewide referendum process, although the referendum hasn't been used since 1966.
A statewide referendum requires petition signatures equaling 10 percent of the total number of voters in the last preceding general election to be filed four months prior to the election. If those seeking the referendum want to suspend the law while awaiting a vote of the people, the requirement jumps to 25 percent and petitions are due within 90 days of the adjournment of the session.
Governor Bill Richardson has cut some taxes, but he also vetoed an eminent domain bill passed by NM's Democrat-controlled legislature.
ISSUES
State Spending
This year, the state’s general fund hit $5.6 billion, up $1.5 billion since 2003. The budget went up 11 percent this year – way above inflation and population growth.
Judicial Reform
The New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission reported a record 2,442 complaints and inquiries against or about the judiciary were received from July 2005 through June 2006.
Government transparency
New Mexico State University started using private contributions to increase the compensation for some employees, including the basketball coach, in May. It is bringing in donations from a non-profit foundation that keeps them secret. This is illegal in some states. Both Bob Johnson, executive director for the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and journalist Heath Haussamen have spoken out against the practice.
THINK TANKS
Rio Grande Foundation
http://www.riograndefoundation.org/
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
http://www.nmfog.org/default.asp?CustComKey=10416
New Mexico Tax Research Institute
http://www.nmtri.org/
ACTION GROUPS
The New Mexico Prosperity Project
http://www.growthevote.org/page.asp?g=newmexico&content=about
New Mexico Alliance for Legal Reform
http://www.nmlegalreform.org/aboutus.asp
Educate New Mexico
http://www.educatenm.org/
BLOGS
Roundhouse Report (Albuquerque Trib)
http://blogs.scripps.com/albq/state/
Errors of Enchantment
http://riograndefoundation.org/weblog/
Mario Burgos
http://www.marioburgos.com/
Heath Haussamen on NM Politics
http://haussamen.blogspot.com/
Eye on Albuquerque
http://eyeonalbuquerque.blogspot.com/
NM Politics w/ Joe Monahan
http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/
RESOURCES
Rio Grande Foundation: How Tax-Friendly is your city?
http://www.riograndefoundation.org/pg_tf.html
New Mexico Open Government Guide
http://www.rcfp.org/ogg/index.php?op=browse&t=full&state=NM
New Mexico School District Contacts
http://www.ped.state.nm.us/districts/alphadistricts.html
IN PAUL JACOB'S COMMON SENSE
http://www.samadamsalliance.org/common_sense/id.2319/sense_detail.asp
