Morning Word: More Campaign Funds Scrutinized

Questions raised about leftover balances

By Peter St. Cyr

Finance Issues 

New Mexico In Depth continues to find

problems in lawmakers’ campaign finance reports

. That, and Sandra Fish is asking former legislators, including Phil Griego, who resigned amid an ethics scandal in March, how they intend to spend the money left over in their accounts.

Inside the Scandal

Political reporter Joey Peters has been looking into allegations that New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department Secretary Demesia Padilla wanted to

help a former client get tax donations approved

, but (go figure) the department isn’t answering his questions.

On the Move

He’s been attracting the largest crowds, and now Sen. Bernie Sanders is

closing the campaign donation gap

with Hillary Clinton.

Outside the Guidelines

The New Mexico Human Services Department could face sanctions for improperly denying hundreds of food stamp applicants. Justin Horwath discovered 

Human Services mistakenly rejected food benefits

in 265 cases out of a sample of 525 cases — and improper notices accounted for 41 percent of those errors.

More Crime

FBI reports show violent crime is on the rise in several New Mexico cities. Española had the highest rate in the state because of a

relatively high number of aggravated assaults.

The stats also show a spike in Albuquerque.

Campus Stalking on the Rise

Stalking and sexual assaults are also way up at the

University of New Mexico

campus.

CYFD Complaints

Data shows the Children, Youth, and Families Department continues to see

a steady increase in complaints

regarding day care centers across New Mexico, but few licenses have ever been suspended.

Clueless 

Santa Fe police are l

ooking for clues

after recovering a body that had been floating in a city cistern for about two weeks.

Supremacy Clause Saves Trees 

A Lincoln National Forest

tree removal program

in Otero County has been ruled unconstitutional.

Have a great weekend. Maybe we’ll see you at the Balloon Fiesta.

Santa Fe Reporter

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