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Key Conservation Issues:

Effective Government

Effective government (or “good governance”) refers to the way in which elected officials exercise their political authority to serve their constituencies. Good governance, with respect to the environment, requires that decisions are made and implemented using legitimate (legal), transparent, participatory, responsive and equitable processes to achieve effective policies that protect New Mexico’s communities and natural resources.

Effective government requires access to good, unbiased information on which to base policies and statutes, and adequate funding to implement them. Tax policy is a reasonably accurate representation of a government’s priorities: Who is paying their fair share?  Which government “favorites” are getting huge tax credits, deductions and exemptions, and who is paying the price for them?

From an environmental perspective, the question is: How well does a government address the public costs of private activities — for example, the waste or emissions produced by certain industries? Costs of enforcement, cleanup and disposal — as well as losses suffered from health impacts and withdrawal of lands and waters from alternative economic uses — are mostly borne by the public because leasing fees, royalties, cleanup bonds, permit violation penalties, and other measures are almost always far below the true cost of regulating and remediating an industrial activity.

Ugly partisan struggles have occasionally dominated decisions about adequately funding the state budget and environmental rulemaking, leaving unfunded mandates for agencies and underfunded public services, and leaving many New Mexicans disillusioned about the political process and the possibility of meaningful improvement in their lives.

Moving forward, state leadership can center New Mexicans in the decision-making process by creating a culture of transparency, and addressing obstacles to full public participation in the policy process, such as language barriers, technology and access, and more.

[ Photo: Mr.TinDC ]

Know the Score > Take Action

See the Related VotesStrategies for Action

Related Votes for Effective Government

Topics:

  • Air Quality Air Quality
  • Effective Government Effective
    Government
  • Energy & Climate Change Energy &
    Climate Change
  • Environmental Justice Environmental
    Justice
  • Land Land
  • Water Water
  • Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Wildlife & Habitat
    Conservation

Priority Bill # Title Sponsors Topics CVNM
Position
Year
HB 4 Voting Rights Protections   more Gail Chasey
D. Wonda Johnson
Raymundo Lara
Javier Martínez
Katy M. Duhigg
Support 2023
HB 184 State Game Commission Changes   more Matthew McQueen
Crystal R. Diamond
Support 2023
HB 188 Economic Transition Division   more Anthony Allison
D. Wonda Johnson
Kristina Ortez
Angelica Rubio
Linda Serrato
Support 2023
HJR 8 Legislative Salaries, CA   more Joy Garratt
Susan K. Herrera
Kristina Ortez
Angelica Rubio
Debra M. Sariñana
Support 2023
SB 418 Oil & Gas Act Changes   more Leo Jaramillo
Support 2023
SB 439 Leg. Approval for Certain Land Purchases   more Crystal R. Diamond
George K. Munoz
William E. Sharer
Oppose 2023

Know the Score > Take Action

Strategies for Effective Government

Actions that foster effective government:

Thank you!

It’s difficult to achieve good government without transparency. Fortunately, after a few fits and starts, the legislature passed a measure sponsored by former Sen. Sander Rue which created the “Sunshine Portal.” The portal provides public access to important information about New Mexico state government, including spending, budgets, revenues, employees, contracts and more. You can access the Sunshine Portal from this link.

Actions that fail to foster effective government:

No thank you!

Many city and county governments, large and small, across the state, still act outside the requirements – in letter or spirit – of the state’s Open Meetings Act, even though local actions are often what most impact people’s daily lives. It is still too often the case that meetings are not properly noticed, and agendas and meeting minutes provide almost no information about what is discussed. Boards and commissions are often packed with people whose interests are frequently decided by those public bodies, and deals are made among board and commission members or between local officials and interested parties behind closed doors. It is an intractable and serious problem.

Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators

Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.

The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.

Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.

To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.

To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.

We take on tough fights to protect New Mexico, but these efforts in the State Capitol and around the state require financial resources. We can only win when we work together. Please join other New Mexicans in becoming a Conservation Voter today!

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