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Thursday, Apr 25th

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Politics

Spotlight on government accountability: McKinley County audit

Friday, 02 February 2018 09:21 By Rick Abasta Sun Correspondent

County officials discuss findings

The recent 2017 McKinley County audit summary report is a clear indication that the county is headed in the right direction when it comes to fiscal accountability. There were no major findings in the report.

Farley Vener, president and managing shareholder of Hinkle & Landers, an Albuquerque-based CPA firm, presented the report during the Jan. 23 regular meeting of the McKinley County Board of Commissioners.

“We conducted an audit of financial statements according to generally accepted accounting standards within the United States,” Verner said. “We’re required to give opinion on the single audit.”

He said the engagement team for the audit...

AG issues consumer alert regarding Equifax data breach

Friday, 02 February 2018 09:20 Staff Reports

ALBUQUERQUE –Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a Consumer Alert Jan. 30, targeting New Mexico consumers who were affected by the recent Equifax data breach.

The Attorney General is asking New Mexicans to contact the Office of the Attorney General if they have been a victim of the Equifax breach, and additionally, if they have received any correspondence from Equifax since the breach.

“We are working on gathering more information about how Equifax is responding to New Mexicans who were victims of the data breach,” Balderas said. “The more documentation we have, the better we can protect our citizens by ensuring that they are being given consistent, legal, and helpful...

Legislators approve new anti-harassment policy

Friday, 19 January 2018 09:32 By Matthew Reichbach NM Political Report

Lawmakers voted to update the State Legislature’s sexual harassment policy, the first such change in a decade.

The 15-0 Legislative Council vote came a day before the start of the 2018 legislative session.

The council adopted the policy crafted by eight legislators who rewrote it at a time where many industries and organizations, including political institutions, are grappling with sexual harassment.

The policy allows for an outside investigator to look into allegations of sexual harassment against legislators. It also calls for “outside counsel who is experienced in harassment matters” to determine in consultation with legislative leaders if a complaint merits an...

Takes from the ‘State of the State’

Friday, 19 January 2018 09:31 Photos by Ryan Hudgeons

Gov. Susana Martinez (left) stopped to say hello to LilyJean V.K. Hudgeons (center) before her State of the State Address outside of the House chamber as mom Ana Hudgeons (right) looks on Jan. 16, at the state Capitol roundhouse in Santa Fe.

Gov. Susana Martinez giving her annual address, as members of the House and Senate listen on Jan. 16

Gov. Susana Martinez applauds State Police Officer Dwayne Simpson after handing him the badge that saved his life. In August, a routine traffic stop nearly turned deadly for the officer when he pulled over a car with three fugitives inside. One of them open fire on Simpson, but it wasn’t his day to go down. His badge stopped the bullet from entering his body.

N.M.’s Senators won’t back spending bill without DACA fix

Friday, 19 January 2018 09:30 By Matthew Reichbach NM Political Report

New Mexico’s two U.S. Senators oppose any funding bill that does not include a fix for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy.

The program, known as DACA, has been debated since September when President Donald Trump announced he would he end the Obama-era program. Trump also stopped the federal government from processing new applications.

The short-term spending bill proposed by House Republicans lacks immigration provisions.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, announced on social media he opposed the short-term 30-day spending bill.

In a statement, he added the effort “only spreads chaos once again.” Heinrich voted for a short-term spending bill in...