Posted on 12/24/2008 4:49:56 PM PST by CedarDave
Perhaps no governor has rewarded so many supporters with so much.
Five years ago, just eight of Gov. Bill Richardson's political appointees made more than $100,000 a year. Today, more than 100 earn at least that much.
Also up under Richardson: the number of gubernatorial political appointees, formally known as exempt employees.
In his first 15 months in office, the number of appointees scattered throughout government grew from 167 to 307. Today, there are 468 gubernatorial appointees in exempt positions.
That growth in the patronage, or spoils, system of state government is one of the legacies of Richardson as he prepares to vacate the Governor's Mansion for a slot in Barack Obama's Cabinet.
Richardson's top-paid appointee is State Investment Officer Gary Bland, the man in charge of the state's multibillion-dollar permanent, or trust, funds.
Bland's annual salary was $307,199 as of September, up 37 percent from $225,000 in December 2003.
Those at the lower end of government's food chain haven't fared as well under Richardson.
The average salary of a state classified — or nonpolitical — employee was $38,820 in July 2007, up 19 percent from Richardson's first year in office.
The list of political appointees making more than $100,000 a year is dominated by agency heads and other top government managers, but it also includes Richardson's chief scheduler ($133,120) and the assistant to first lady Barbara Richardson ($107,519). The scheduler earns more than Richardson ($110,000) and at least 12 Cabinet secretaries.
The figures in this column are based on data on exempt employees provided by the Department of Finance and Administration.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
A couple of years ago one of the local ABQ stations had a two part expose of Richardson's appointee doings called "Gifts from the North" which revealed how he created positions without legislative authorization, without assigning actual duties, and put appointees together with long-serving state employees doing actual work but at a much, much lower pay rate. Every governor makes political appointments usually with active supporters or campaign donors; it's an accepted way of repaying them for their support. However, Richardson took this practice to a level unprecedented in state government and clearly abused the practice in both numbers and salaries awarded them.
Get used to it.
PING to the New Mexico list.
We will have to live with King Bill’s legacy of corruption and spending for many years but in a few weeks we’ll be free of him.
In the meantime everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
It has become a trademark of the Socialist Party. Pay to play -— pure corruption.
This calls for a Capt. Renault moment: “I’m shocked that there is patronage going on!”
This has been going on for years -— on both sides. What do you think gets one an “Ambassadorship”? What do you think schedule C-ers are? (BTW they are paid as GS-13’s to 15’s. Not bad work if you can get it.)
They are corrupt.... anything but Pure.
Nothing unusual here.
All politicians from both parties do such things. Give ALLOT of money, and you can even land an ambassadorship in some country most people have never heard of.
Indeed, this has gone on for years and the legislature recognizes such by establishing positions for just this purpose. It establishes the number and pay ranges for so-called “exempt” positions. Richardson abused the system way beyond what was accepted practice such that a couple of years ago the abuse merited legislative scrutiny. Unfortunately the legislature, being controlled by the Democrats, just gave a “tsk, tsk” along with a wink and he went on with high-paying appointments.
Just no tape of cursing and bragging like Blago— otherwise, same salesmanship.
I don’t know- his past might catch up with him before he is confirmed- then we will be stuck with him; I don’t think people here will be smart enough to impeach him or convict him even if he is proven a crook.
How many worked on the railroad?
A Beverly Hills-based company is being examined by a federal grand jury looking into contributions the firm made to political committees formed by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
The grand jury apparently is investigating if the contributions that CDR Financial Products made had any impact on a New Mexico government contract that CDR landed from the state.
According to reports, CDR received $1.48 million in 2004-05 for work done through the New Mexico Finance Authority. The authority is a government agency that issues bonds and finances building and public works projects throughout New Mexico.
(MORE) http://67.59.172.92/article.cfm?articleID=64578
That is certainly something to look forward to in the new year, but I'm afraid there is better than even chance that Richardon's stink will prove too much for even Obama. The Pres-Elect has enough baggage of his own. He may not be able for afford to pay the freight for King Bill, too.
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