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paperboy text opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Monday, October 11, 2010
Journal Selections for Treasurer, Land Chief
Treasurer — James Lewis
Democrat James Lewis has restored order to the state Treasurer's Office and kept a steady watch on taxpayers' piggybank.
Lewis was elected in 2006 on a promise to clean up the then-scandal-plagued office. He is running for re-election to continue to guide the office into calmer waters despite stormy economic times.
When Lewis took over from interim treasurer Doug Brown, who he says did a good job of holding the fort after two previous treasurers (also Democrats) went to prison for a public corruption scheme involving kickbacks, Lewis' "to-do" list was long. He says the state had just canceled its fiscal and custodial banks, morale in the office was low, public trust had eroded, the new SHARE computer system was virtually inoperable and the banking system was changing.
Today, he says, the office has a strong code of conduct, daily website postings tell taxpayers what the state is investing in, the office has been reorganized, polices have been reviewed and revised, staff has been cross-trained and the office is leaner after weathering a 15-percent staffing cut.
Lewis has an extensive resume: He was state treasurer from 1985 to 1990. He served as director/assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy, chief clerk of the State Corporation Commission, CAO for the city of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho city administrator and Bernalillo County treasurer.
Lewis says he's all about business, and that's what the state needs — a dedicated watchdog over taxpayers' money. New Mexico voters should re-elect James Lewis as state treasurer.
Land Commissioner — Ray Powell
Former land commissioner Ray Powell, a Democrat, wants to restore public confidence in the State Land Office, which oversees state trust lands to benefit New Mexico children and students.
Powell comes armed with experience and a plan to do that.
The current land commissioner has some decent accomplishments, but curious missteps that look like insider dealing have hurt the office. In other words, it can appear bad even if it isn't.
Powell believes a healthy dose of sunshine can return transparency and accountability to an office under scrutiny for questionable land sales, trades, business leases and cozy arrangements with developers. The state Supreme Court halted its controversial White Peak land exchange in northeastern New Mexico.
Powell, who as commissioner refused to sell or swap White Peak, says he would only do trades in the best interest of the state and local communities. He would put all sales out to bid and hold public meetings for proposed exchanges, long-term leases and sales. He also would pass long-term leases through local land use processes, set up planning agreements with other local governments, post financial information on a searchable public website and reinstitute a formal conflict-of-interest process for staff.
He wants to work with producers, the national labs, academia and business to develop renewable energy sources to complement oil and gas, which provides more than 90 percent of revenues to the office. Powell, a botanist and veterinarian, says the state needs economic development and lease revenues, but they should be done in a manner that protects natural and cultural resources.
The Journal endorses Ray Powell for the position of commissioner of public lands.
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