Governor's Office: It's None of Your Business

Update: NMpolitics.net has also picked up this story. Check it out here.

You paid more than eight million dollars for their salaries. Their average income is 140-thousand dollars a year (far more than the per capita income of the typical taxpayer in New Mexico). They got their jobs because the Governor hired them. But who are they and what jobs did they do on YOUR dime? The Governor's Office DOES NOT want you to know:



While the Governor's office is not being transparent about the 59 highly-paid appointees it's letting go, I figured I'd use my website here to give you some transparency into the thought process of the Governor's Office. Below is an email exchange between me and Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos (who says I have a "bias") regarding my initial inquiry into this matter.

I find it quite concerning the Governor's Office is essentially telling me it really doesn't matter what's public record....if the Governor's Office doesn't find it "appropriate," it won't release it despite obligations under the Inspection of Public Record Act(START FROM BOTTOM AND THEN READ UP):

> From: "Jojola, Jeremy"
> Date: December 11, 2009 5:38:23 PM MST
> To: "Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV"
> Subject: RE:
>
> I acknowledge the terrible loss of their jobs, but I also hope you acknowledge the taxpayers of this state who paid those salaries. Many of those tax payers (who are people too) lost their jobs as well and they deserve an answer from their government. Add me to the list of people who are filing IPRA requests on this matter. Again, I'll be sending it on Monday.
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:28 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> I think you’re confused about IPRA, which refers to records we may or may not have in our possession. In any case, your reference to “protecting the interest of these political appointees” tells me quite a bit about your bias going into this. These are people you’re talking about – people who have lost their jobs. We announced that the Governor was eliminating these positions to save about $8.3 million. I’m quite sure that will be reflected in due time in terms of savings in the budget.
>
>
>
> Still, you are free to file a records request, as have a half-dozen other people.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:57 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> I would think the IPRA. Do you want me to send you the statute number for reference? I would think in the interest of open government, your office would release these names and salaries even if you interpret the IPRA as not requiring you to do so. This would be good policy, don't you think? If not, it seems to me the Governor's Office is protecting the interest of these political appointees rather than the interests of the public. If these folks were being paid by state funds, without a doubt it must be public record. I'll be filing a written records request for these names and positions and salaries under the IPRA. I'll send it Monday.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:02 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> What statute says we have to identify them?
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:00 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject: RE:
>
>
>
> And based on what state statute can you guys do that?
>
>
>
> From: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV [mailto:Gilbert.Gallegos@state.nm.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:59 PM
> To: Jojola, Jeremy
> Subject: RE:
>
> We are not identifying any person or position that was eliminated.
>
>
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
>
> Deputy Chief of Staff
>
> Office of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
>
> (office) 505-476-2217
>
> gilbert.gallegos@state.nm.us
>
>
>
> From: Jojola, Jeremy [mailto:JJojola@kob.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:21 PM
> To: Gallegos, Gilbert, GOV
> Subject:
>
>
>
> Gilbert:
>
>
>
> What's the possibility of getting the list of 59 political appointees that have been laid-off.
>
>
>
> Jeremy


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jeremyjojola.com