NM governor to bureaucrats: no audit, no funding

By   /  May 13, 2013  /  Accountability, New Mexico, News, State Government, State Politics  /  No Comments

This is a photo of New Mexico's Roundhouse.

By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog
SANTA FE – Government entities be warned: Fail to submit an audit to the state and say good-bye to some of that state money you want.
Earlier this month, Gov. Susana Martinez issued an executive order barring any governmental entity that isn’t up to date on its audits from receiving [...]

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Better transparency, clearer rules would help PA redistricting process in 2021

By   /  May 10, 2013  /  Accountability, Featured, Issues, News, Pennsylvania, Politics & Elections, Redistricting, State Government, State House, State Politics, State Senate  /  No Comments

NOW OFFICIAL: The second set of district maps (Senate map seen here) were approved by the Supreme Court this week. But should there be changes when the process begins again in 2021?

In the aftermath of a legal battle over redrawing Pennsylvania’s state House and state Senate district maps, one key player believes the commission charged with redistricting the state every 10 years can do better.

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PA lawmakers, unions, business make for a complex political brew

By   /  May 9, 2013  /  2010 Midterm Election, Elections, Featured, Issues, News, Pennsylvania, State Government, State House, State Politics, State Senate  /  No Comments

CENTER OF THE STORM: State Sen. Charles McIlhinney, R-Bucks, is at the center of the liquor privatization fight.

In April 2010, someone in Newtown, Bucks County, threw a party — a political fundraiser, like dozens or perhaps hundreds of similar events held across the state that election cycle.

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McDonnell’s transportation deal could keep tea party away from the polls

By   /  April 24, 2013  /  News, Politics, Politics & Elections, State Politics, Taxes, Virginia  /  No Comments

BobMcDonnellCPAC

By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — The monetary costs of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s controversial transportation plan, more than $5 billion over the next five years, are well documented.
The political costs, however, are anybody’s guess.
Tea party detractors that have opposed the plan, which seeks to raise funds for transportation projects through a series of [...]

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Could ire against transportation plan put VA’s Silver Line in the cross-hairs?

By   /  April 24, 2013  /  Governor, News, Politics, State Elections, State House, State Politics, transportation, Uncategorized, Virginia  /  No Comments

Gov. Bob McDonnell's transportation plan will devote $300 million to construction of the Silver Line Metro to Dulles over the next three years. (Photo by Stephen Barna, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project)

By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell touted Tuesday that funds set aside for the Silver Line Metro project, from within his controversial transportation plan, would help lessen the burden on drivers using the Dulles Toll Road.
But while the first $100 million will be delivered when fiscal year 2014 starts July [...]

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