abbott
07-19-2012, 01:51 PM
I have done my best to limit my post about Johnson, I wonder if anyone feels he is gaining ground?
I thought this was very telling of Johnson and how he spends Government money....
url did not work so here is the article...
When it comes to entertaining at the Governor’s Mansion, Susana Martinez is no Bill Richardson. But she’s no Gary Johnson, either.
In 2011, her first year in office, Martinez spent $63,572 from a discretionary expense account, with most of that money going toward dinners, receptions and other events at the mansion in the foothills of Santa Fe.
The governor spent $21,112 from the account in the first quarter of 2012, but the early months of the year are a particularly busy time at the mansion, in part because legislators are in town for their annual session.
In 2008, just as the shine was wearing off the economy and his political star, Richardson spent $138,925 on entertainment at the mansion and other expenses.
Actors George Clooney, Robert Duvall, Jeff Bridges and Robert Redford were among the Richardson guests that year.
Richardson said the mansion “was meant to be a place to showcase New Mexico, a place to promote our state and our people.”
Martinez accused Richardson of wasteful spending at the mansion. She hasn’t entertained any celebrities, her office said.
Johnson, governor from 1995 through 2002 and something of a loner, rarely had guests at the mansion.
Johnson’s discretionary expense account was reduced to $30,000 a year, and he still didn’t spend all the money. He returned more than $200,000 in unspent account funds to the state when he left office.
Richardson, governor from 2003 through 2010, got the Legislature to increase the account to $90,000 a year, but it was cut to $80,000 in his final years. A year-end surplus in the account can be carried over to the next year.
The discretionary expense account is often referred to as the governor’s contingency fund. State law requires the money be spent “for purposes connected with obligations of the office” of governor.
The money is treated as personal income for governors, meaning they must report it on state and federal tax forms and offset the income with expenses to avoid tax liability.
Governors are required to report annually, in general terms, how they spend the funds. Martinez has chosen to report quarterly.
Martinez campaigned on a pledge to sober up New Mexico after years of drunken spending and in the face of the worst economic times since the Great Depression.
The cuts at the Governor’s Mansion have been more about symbolism since the savings aren’t that much in the scheme of state government — kind of like the selling of the state jet by Martinez.
Since Martinez took office, the governor’s discretionary expense account has been cut to $72,000 a year.
Most of the money from the account is spent on food and beverages and contract services for events at the mansion.
“The types of events that have been held have predominantly coincided with legislative sessions or the holiday season,” Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said.
The governor has held receptions for legislators when they’ve been in town for sessions, Darnell said.
As for Christmastime gatherings, there have been events for Indian tribal leaders, school board members and superintendents, and local elected officials from throughout the state, he said.
Money from the discretionary account is also spent on supplies, subscriptions and miscellaneous items like gifts for dignitaries.
Examples of gifts include small pieces of Nambé ware and a book on the history and culture of New Mexico, Darnell said, adding that Martinez has met with dignitaries from several countries.
Martinez has also cut the staff at the Governor’s Mansion from five to three employees.
Just a few days after taking office, she announced she was getting rid of the two chefs at the mansion. You might remember the governor’s joke about the bologna sandwich-making skills of her husband, Chuck Franco.
The remaining employees at the mansion are a residence manager and two maids. One maid has some cooking duties but rarely prepares a private meal for Martinez and Franco, according to the administration.
UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Thom Cole at tcole@abqjournal.com or 505-992-6280 in Santa Fe. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
— This article appeared on page A1 of the Albuquerque Journal
other Johnson related info....
http://www.salon.com/2012/07/19/obamas_pot_problem/
http://www.politico.com/blogs/charlie-mahtesian/2012/07/gary-johnsons-shadow-129386.html
I thought this was very telling of Johnson and how he spends Government money....
url did not work so here is the article...
When it comes to entertaining at the Governor’s Mansion, Susana Martinez is no Bill Richardson. But she’s no Gary Johnson, either.
In 2011, her first year in office, Martinez spent $63,572 from a discretionary expense account, with most of that money going toward dinners, receptions and other events at the mansion in the foothills of Santa Fe.
The governor spent $21,112 from the account in the first quarter of 2012, but the early months of the year are a particularly busy time at the mansion, in part because legislators are in town for their annual session.
In 2008, just as the shine was wearing off the economy and his political star, Richardson spent $138,925 on entertainment at the mansion and other expenses.
Actors George Clooney, Robert Duvall, Jeff Bridges and Robert Redford were among the Richardson guests that year.
Richardson said the mansion “was meant to be a place to showcase New Mexico, a place to promote our state and our people.”
Martinez accused Richardson of wasteful spending at the mansion. She hasn’t entertained any celebrities, her office said.
Johnson, governor from 1995 through 2002 and something of a loner, rarely had guests at the mansion.
Johnson’s discretionary expense account was reduced to $30,000 a year, and he still didn’t spend all the money. He returned more than $200,000 in unspent account funds to the state when he left office.
Richardson, governor from 2003 through 2010, got the Legislature to increase the account to $90,000 a year, but it was cut to $80,000 in his final years. A year-end surplus in the account can be carried over to the next year.
The discretionary expense account is often referred to as the governor’s contingency fund. State law requires the money be spent “for purposes connected with obligations of the office” of governor.
The money is treated as personal income for governors, meaning they must report it on state and federal tax forms and offset the income with expenses to avoid tax liability.
Governors are required to report annually, in general terms, how they spend the funds. Martinez has chosen to report quarterly.
Martinez campaigned on a pledge to sober up New Mexico after years of drunken spending and in the face of the worst economic times since the Great Depression.
The cuts at the Governor’s Mansion have been more about symbolism since the savings aren’t that much in the scheme of state government — kind of like the selling of the state jet by Martinez.
Since Martinez took office, the governor’s discretionary expense account has been cut to $72,000 a year.
Most of the money from the account is spent on food and beverages and contract services for events at the mansion.
“The types of events that have been held have predominantly coincided with legislative sessions or the holiday season,” Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said.
The governor has held receptions for legislators when they’ve been in town for sessions, Darnell said.
As for Christmastime gatherings, there have been events for Indian tribal leaders, school board members and superintendents, and local elected officials from throughout the state, he said.
Money from the discretionary account is also spent on supplies, subscriptions and miscellaneous items like gifts for dignitaries.
Examples of gifts include small pieces of Nambé ware and a book on the history and culture of New Mexico, Darnell said, adding that Martinez has met with dignitaries from several countries.
Martinez has also cut the staff at the Governor’s Mansion from five to three employees.
Just a few days after taking office, she announced she was getting rid of the two chefs at the mansion. You might remember the governor’s joke about the bologna sandwich-making skills of her husband, Chuck Franco.
The remaining employees at the mansion are a residence manager and two maids. One maid has some cooking duties but rarely prepares a private meal for Martinez and Franco, according to the administration.
UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Thom Cole at tcole@abqjournal.com or 505-992-6280 in Santa Fe. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
— This article appeared on page A1 of the Albuquerque Journal
other Johnson related info....
http://www.salon.com/2012/07/19/obamas_pot_problem/
http://www.politico.com/blogs/charlie-mahtesian/2012/07/gary-johnsons-shadow-129386.html