Gonzales Has Time for Everything But Full Disclosure

Javier Gonzales
Commentary by Jim Spence - New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales is getting very active on twitter and in the press room these days. The one thing he cannot seem to find time to do is "tweet" a full disclosure of the amount of fees he was paid as an influence peddling consultant. The crowning achievement of the “private sector efforts” of Gonzales seems to be his steering of a $10 million state economic development grant and other assorted taxpayer assets to business buddies at Santa Fe Studios.
Since the hazy Santa Fe Studios news became public, several journalists and elected officials on both sides of the aisle have asked repeatedly for Gonzales to make full disclosure of his personal "fees" for his efforts. It is the only appropriate way to put to rest the issue of his providing access to public money for the financing of private projects. Gonzales continues to ignore his ethical duty to disclose how he personally profited from the bizarre series of transactions.
Yesterday, in a poorly thought out press release, Gonzales speculated on why Governor Susana Martinez was not in Hobbs when Mitt Romney unveiled his energy plans. While Romney's proposal would clearly help the U.S. address its horrible unemployment problem without tossing more money at the next Solyndra, Gonzales offered a take on the event that was nothing if not nonsensical. He inferred that Governor Martinez was suddenly distancing herself from Romney due to policy disputes. Martinez was actually fulfilling a longstanding commitment to address New Mexico's top  private employers.
Perhaps Gonzales was banking on the stupidity of those he targeted with the press release, just as he banks on the same group to not insist that he make full disclosure on his influence peddling successes with Santa Fe Studios.
The big news this week in New Mexico is that Governor Martinez was offered and accepted from Romney, one of the most important speaking roles in the GOP convention next week. At Romney's request Martinez will speak in prime time on national television just prior to keynote speaker Chris Christie on Tuesday.
The great thing about the 1st Amendment is it works both ways. Obviously Gonzales will always be free to make as many ridiculous statements as he'd like on twitter and in press releases. And of course the media and ethical elected officials are free to repeatedly demand that a public figure like Gonzales do the decent thing and provide complete transparency regarding how much money he was paid to facilitate the transfer of millions of taxpayer dollars and assets to Santa Fe Studios. C'mon Javier, tell us how much you got from your pals for arranging a $20 million spot at the public trough for them. We can handle it and you'll feel better after you do.

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Push for Uncompetitive Price Fix in Duke City

The outlook for unemployment in Albuquerque just got dimmer. A push by progressive Democrats to raise Albuquerque's minimum wage is going to make it to the ballot in November.
The Albuquerque city council could approve the measure outright or submit it to voters. The plan proposes that all unskilled labor be paid $8.50. If this proposal becomes law it will reduce the number of entry level jobs in the Duke City and reduce the competitiveness of all entities domiciled there.
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