New Mexico Increases Scrutiny of Social Spending by Governor
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Newly signed legislation will increase scrutiny of an off-the-books fund used by future New Mexico governors for social obligations.
Gov. Susana Martinez signed a bill Thursday that will allow the so-called contingency fund to be audited and automatically return unused money each year to the state general fund. The new rules take effect after Martinez leaves office at the end of the year.
Republican Sen. Sander Rue of Albuquerque sponsored the bill and said taxpayers have a right to know more about how the money is spent. Future governors will have to submit an itemized list of expenditures each month to a legislative committee and the Department of Finance Administration.
Martinez has published spending summaries without specific expenditures. She says that's more information than required by law.
Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-03-01/new-mexico-increases-scrutiny-of-social-spending-by-governor