The Long Ballot

The horrendous corruption at the State Treasurer Office has brought into focus the so called "long ballot" in New Mexico. That refers to the amount of elected officials we have in this state. Count them, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Land Commissioner, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Public Regulatory Commission(of which there are 5), nine Appeals Court Judges and five Supreme Court Judges(who stand for retention elections after their first popular election.) If I count right that is 26 statewide elected positions that the public grapples with. This system leaves little accountability and oversight because of the invisibilty of some of these offices. Prior to this scandal I seriously doubt that Robert Vigil or Michael Montoya would have had name identification of more that 5% amongst the general public.

Members of the Legislature are making noises abut doing away with the State Treasurer Office and making it appointed. They probably should not stop there. They could easily make the Secretary of State, Auditor, and Members of the PRC also appointed. State Land Commissioner and Attorney General should probably stay elected because of their broad constitutional powers.

In fact, it might be time for a State Constitutional Convention. Those are hard to do as I recall the great efforts put forth in 1970's attempt. (That was one of the first big stories that I covered as a young reporter, along with my good friend Rodger Beimer.) That attempt failed because the Game and Fish commission came out against it as they felt they would lose power. They convinced the state's sportsmen to vote against it. Former Governor Bruce King did a great job as President of that Convention, but the hard work couldn't be turned into a victory at the polls. And so New Mexico stagnated while surrounding states economies grew rapidly. I really believe that is when our state missed the economic development boat.

Another convention might be a good idea, although it would certainly "open a box of Pandoras" as Bruce King would say. It could achieve great things however if a bi partisan effort could be made to write a more modern constitutional document. The one we have is almost 100 years old and could use a little work. Or, maybe this is just a bad idea given the existing partisan divisions in this country. Nevermind.

Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.
Vittorio Alfieri

Distraction

President bush is preparing to leave for Texas as Hurricane Rita approaches. A close friend called a while ago and said he was making bumper stickers that say, "Stay In Texas".