New Mexico In Depth (https://nmindepth.com/tag/n-m-legislature/)
Lobbyists and their employers spent $236,828 on gifts, wining and dining for elected officials, their guests and staff during the 2016 legislative session. And that’s only a portion of what was spent during the 30-day session because it captures only those times lobbyists spent $500 or more on a single event.
The House unanimously approved a $166 million capital outlay bill Monday, but not without criticism. House Bill 219 includes $82 million in local projects designated by the 112 lawmakers.
New Mexico Auditor Tim Keller issued a report on the unspent money Friday morning, suggesting that spending the dollars could create thousands of jobs and give the economy a boost.
Check out the Twitter feedback, plus a bit of Instagram and Facebook, from the first day of the 2016 legislative session.
The way New Mexico funds capital projects had it critics long before lawmakers disagreed and failed to pass a bill funding the projects on Saturday. Here’s a look at issue in a story New Mexico In Depth wrote before the session started.
Thirty-three counties and more than 100 municipalities in New Mexico have passed restrictions on mining, oil and gas that go beyond state laws. A controversial bill that would limit that local control passed the House Tuesday.
Five of the six senators who opposed legislation to cap what lenders can charge borrowers on certain types of loans took thousands of dollars in campaign money from the industry in 2013 and 2014, state records show.
These two podcasts will help keep you up on what’s going on at the Roundhouse.
Watch this segment from NMID’s media partner KNME and its public affairs show, New Mexico In Focus.
The flow of money for the lobbyists’ clients offers a window into how the Roundhouse works.