Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s pandemic spending of $17,546 on food, alcohol, kitchen equipment and Christmas ornaments from a discretionary fund during a roughly eight-month period did not violate state law, a new report by State Auditor Brian Colón’s office found.
However, the report said lawmakers should clarify spending guidelines pertaining to the contingency fund, which has been the source of scrutiny during several recent gubernatorial administrations.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Specifically, the seven-page report said existing law “may not provide adequate guardrails” regarding what type of expenditures from the discretionary fund are allowable, as it currently permits any spending deemed directly connected to the governor’s job obligations.
Paid sick leave bill advances to Senate floor
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Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal
State Auditor Brian Colón’s office is looking into Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s use of a taxpayer-funded expense account to buy almost $13,500 worth of goods and services, such as dry-cleaning, tuna steaks, liquor and Wagyu beef, over a six-month period in 2020.
Colón confirmed late Thursday that his office “opened an examination on this matter” this week after receiving a complaint from a constituent.
“This will be handled the way we handle all of these complaints,” said Colón, a Democrat. The opening of the auditor’s examination was first reported by KOB-TV.
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Colón said he had already agreed his office would look into the matter when he received a letter from 14 members of the Senate Republican Caucus Thursday afternoon asking for a special audit of the fund.
SANTA FE – The Capitol is closed to the public – surrounded by fencing and State Police.
But lobbyists working to influence the Legislature are still finding ways to feed hungry lawmakers, sometimes in person, according to state documents and interviews with legislators and lobbyists.
The Roundhouse has been fenced off during the 2021 legislative session, and signs warn pedestrians against trespassing. But the lack of access hasn’t stopped lobbyists from finding ways to feed lawmakers and cover the cost of their meals. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Restaurants in Santa Fe County were permitted to reopen for indoor dining at partial capacity two weeks ago, and the Bull Ring – a popular steakhouse – attracted a few lobbyists and legislators the first night.
Cowboys For Trump Leader Arrested Over US Capitol Riot
- Associated Press, KUNM News
A New Mexico county official and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump who had vowed to return to Washington after last week s riot at the U.S. Capitol to place a flag on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi s desk was arrested Sunday by the FBI.
Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was arrested on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol.
According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was caught up in the crowd, which pushed its way through the barricades and entered the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the U.S. Capitol steps.
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