Talking points

We're in the money: The projection that New Mexico will be rolling in additional revenue next year remains unchanged.

Lawmakers were told Monday at their usual mid-session financial review that the numbers they heard in December won't change.

That means New Mexico could expect more than $720 million in "new money" for the budget year that begins July 1.

Finance committees in the House and Senate are working to put together a $5.8 billion budget for next year. Typically, the mid-session revenue forecast would help them make their final budget decisions.

The state is spending about $5.1 billion this year from its main budget account for government operations and schools.

Piling on: State Senate Republican leaders have asked U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to investigate spending of federal funds by former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.

They told Iglesias on Monday they want to determine whether the Secretary of State's Office misspent a federal grant that was to be used for complying with the Help America Vote Act.

"In the event that the grant has not been legally administered, it is essential that the Legislature be fully apprised in a timely manner so that corrective action may be taken," said the letter, signed by Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, Minority Whip Leonard Lee Rawson and caucus chairwoman Dianna Duran.

The three also asked the Legislative Finance Committee on Monday for a similar investigation, and questioned why Vigil-Giron's office spent $2 million on media advertising and printing - one third her budget, they said.

The senators' requests follow a similar one made last week in which they asked New Mexico Attorney General Gary King to look into the spending of Vigil-Giron, a Democrat.

Gov. Bill Richardson has asked the Department of Finance and Administration to audit the office.

A preliminary department review found a shortfall of as much as $3 million when Vigil-Giron left office in December.

Vigil-Giron has blamed the cost overrun on issues related to last year's election, which was the first in which counties were required to use paper balloting machines.

Introduced

Employees, start talking: Public employees who report illegal and unethical conduct would be protected under a bill introduced by Sen. Sue Wilson-Beffort.

The Sandia Park Republican says SB 1043, the Whistleblower Protection Act, would make it easier for public employees to report illegal acts they see on their jobs.

It would make blacklisting and other retaliation against public employees illegal, and those convicted of retaliation could be fined in addition to facing jail time.

Wilson-Beffort says the bill corrects an oversight by Gov. Bill Richardson's Ethics Task Force, saying the group's proposal doesn't adequately protect public employees.

Citing recent episodes of public corruption, Wilson-Beffort said, "I believe other unethical breaches will be uncovered if public employees are given protection to come forward."

In committee

Hands off that descanso: A bill that would penalize anyone caught desecrating a roadside memorial has sailed through its first committee.

HB 333, sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia, an Albuquerque Democrat, passed the House Judiciary Committee on Monday 7-0.

"Descansos, or roadside memorial crosses, are a traditional way to mourn the loss of a loved one. New Mexico has many longstanding traditions and beliefs that make our state culturally unique," Garcia said. "To destroy or desecrate such a sacred place is incomprehensible."

The bill would make it a misdemeanor for a person to knowingly or willfully deface or destroy a descanso. The bill does not apply to law enforcement officials or other employees of the state doing work-related duties, such as snowplow operators or grass cutters.