The following opinion piece first appeared on NMPolitics.net:

Let’s talk about why the names of rank-and-file public employees are the public’s business, and why they should appear on the Sunshine Portal.

We all agree that government job titles and salaries are public information. But there’s a discomfort with the names. House Majority Leader Rep. Ken Martinez said (in a February 11 hearing) that it...Read More

The following opinion piece first appeared on NMPolitics.net:

The purpose of the New Mexico Sunshine Portal is simple – to make public information available at the click of a mouse. For too long, government information has been “public” in theory but hidden in practice – because it is difficult, time-consuming and costly to obtain. That’s why digging into public records has traditionally been the p...Read More

(updated 2/6, 12 PM) FOG is busy in Santa Fe, promoting legislation that will increase public access to government information, and opposing legislation that would restrict access. Here's a rundown of the bills we are watching:

Support

• HB 35: Public Meeting Agendas 72 Hours Prior (Rep. Jim Smith) passed HCPAC, scheduled in HHGAC on 2/7
• SB 30: Sunshine Portal Requirements (Sen. Sander Rue) passed SJC,...Read More

The fight for transparent government in New Mexico has a new general.

The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government announced today the appointment of its next Executive Director, Gwyneth Doland. Doland, a journalist and longtime Albuquerque resident, will take the helm of the statewide non-profit organization Feb. 20.

“I look forward to working with engaged citizens, journ...Read More

Updated 2/6: The Legislative Council Service released the video last Monday, to avoid litigation.

Let's start with the facts. The Capitol building in Santa Fe has a video-surveillance system. The cameras are visible, and most of the time they are passively recording a wide-angle view of a room. If Capitol security wants to look closer -- perhaps because there is a report of a suspicious individual ...Read More