By all reports, Governor Richardson is bent on making the State Treasurer’s office an appointed instead of an elected position. However, all one has to do is check the State Auditor’s reports, to realize that Richardson appointees don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to sound fiscal management.
The Taxation and Revenue Department has a long list of problems. The Investment Council is compensating absences. The Department of Finance has errors in posting cash disbursements to the general ledger. The General Services Department has missing property. Even the Governor’s office is producing contradictory books… and this is just a partial list of the problems plaguing state government under the control of Governor Bill Richardson.
Don’t you think it would be a good idea to straighten out this mess before considering adding another department to the Governor’s failing oversight? It is also important to remember that Governor Richardson does not exactly have a stellar track record when it comes to appointing “trustworthy” people.
There was that guy with the felony criminal record who was appointed to head the Adult Parole Board. Oh yeah, and that fellow appointed to the the Gaming Control Board with the ties to gambling machine suppliers. And who can forget the appointed State Transportation Deputy Secretary (subscription) with the DWI.
I’m thinking we really don’t need this Governor appointing anyone else.