What’s the matter with New Mexico? While the Governor and the Legislature bicker over a $213 million capital outlay bill and $45 million in road projects, New Mexico’s State Auditor reports that therre is $4.5 BILLION DOLLARS in funds approved in previous years that were never spent. Meanwhile, check out New Mexico’s disgraceful standing as perhaps the worst or near-worst state to live in: What’s the matter with New Mexico? POVERTY New Mexico has the second-worst poverty rate in the nation, with 16.60 percent of families and 21.5 percent of individuals living below the poverty level. Poverty rates for the entire country in 2011 were 11.7 percent for families and 15.9 percent for all individuals. Only Mississippi has worse rates in both categories — 17.40 percent and 22.60 percent, respectively. What’s the matter with New Mexico? CHILDHOOD WELL-BEING New Mexico was 49th in the nation for children's well-being in 2014 — Poverty rates among New Mexico's children, however, actually rose, even as they fell nationwide. In 2013, 28 percent of New Mexico children lived in poverty. In 2014, the rate climbed to 31 percent. What’s the matter with New Mexico? MORE POVERTY All 50 states saw a drop in middle class households since the turn of the millennium. But it's especially bad for the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico's 2013 median income was $43,872, a drop from $47,035 in 2000 when adjusted for inflation. For perspective's sake, Texas' 2013 median income ranked at $51,704; Colorado's was $58,823; Utah's was $59,770 and Arizona's was $48,510. It's also worth noting that each of New Mexico's neighboring states' share of middle class sit between 45 percent and 52 percent of all households—which are all higher that New Mexico. What’s the matter with New Mexico? WORST IN EDUCATION New Mexico came in dead last in a report card that measures education performance across the nation. The annual Quality Counts Report from the Education Research Center gave New Mexico a D+ when it comes to a student's chance for success. The index measures the role of education in a person's life from cradle to career. WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH NEW MEXICO WHEN WE HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS? A New Mexico State Auditor’s report, titled ‘Money on the Sidelines, by the Government Accountability Office shows state agencies have $4.5 billion of unspent public dollars, including: • $2 billion resided in incomplete capital outlay projects and $1 billion in funds for road and water projects primarily in the New Mexico Finance Authority and the Environment Department. • $738 million for water projects in various state agencies’ funds. • $503 million was for restricted special funds ranging from the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) to Medicaid fund surpluses. • $42 million for education projects within funds at the Public Education Department and the Public School Facilities Authority. • $30 million in state agencies’ operational general funds. What’s the matter with New Mexico?

Our founding fathers' greatest fear was that the rich and powerful would corrupt our democracy. Their fears have been realized. One way of restoring our democracy is to make voting easier so the hard-working people of Hawaii have the time and energy to vote. Having your ballot mailed to you means you won't forget to vote, won't miss work, won't have to wait in line, won't waste gas, and can take your time to research the candidates and issues in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

This petition is about the Hawaiians and locals standing their ground against the government to stop the destruction of our Aina. Also to stop the slaughtering of the animals that live on Mauna Kea for the future hunters and Hawaiians.

The entire nation is affected by the flood of anonymous secret money unleashed on elections by Citizens United. One of the most powerful ways we can fight back against this tsunami of Dark Money is by passing strong DISCLOSE Acts to make sure that political ads can't deceive voters about who paid for them. It's up to the states to lead the way. The good news is that the country's largest state, California, now has a chance to do so, with the introduction of the 2015 California DISCLOSE Act that will let voters know who really pays for political ads. AB 700, the Gomez-Levine California DISCLOSE Act, will stop funders from deceiving voters about who pays for ballot measure ads by requiring ads to clearly reveal their top three funders. Funders must be shown in a big contrasting font on a black background for five seconds. The actual contributors must be listed — none of the usual shell games. Just the truth. Please thank California Assemblymembers Jimmy Gomez (D-Northeast Los Angeles) and Marc Levine (D- San Rafael) for their leadership in the fight against Dark Money in political ads. Tell them that people like you across the nation are watching California and grateful for their leadership. Be sure to add a comment to tell them how important what they’re doing is!

Allowing corporate allies into jobs that oversee those same corporations creates a monopoly, eliminating competition in the areas of research and development, before ideas can reach the public. It also leaves the American consumer unprotected in the face of loopholes the size of a big red barn. Eliminating conflicts of interest in appointment of regulators is an absolute requirement for the US economy to remain competitive, while protecting consumers.

The shops @Wailea want to charge all who come to Wailea to enjoy the shopping and our great beaches. There is no parking in Wailea, no off street parking and very little beach parking. Are you ready to pay $3.00 per 1/2 hour? Or a day pass will cost you $40.00. Employees are being charged as well. Tenants of the mall have to purchase validation tickets. Each store set its own minimum price for validation. Since construction has already started, I want to change their policies. Free parking for all who work in the shops and free for Locals. Please, ask yourself if you want to or can afford to pay these prices? Enough already! Where's the Aloha? Keep south Maui No Ka Oi.

Voter participation is dropping and the change introduced by this bill could help reverse that trend. Fuller participation will assure that our legislators will continue working for the needs of the people instead of being persuaded to work more for the special interests of the lobbyists.

Today, Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia is expected to sign into law a bill that was passed at the 11th hour in the current session to help transportation. To raise the funds, our state elected official passed a bill to add a $5.00 tax to all guests who stay in a hotel/motel in Georgia. This tax is in addition to the state tax that is already being charged. Furthermore, this tax is for every night a person stays. This is completely unexpected and wrong. Georgia will lose millions in revenue because of it. Please call the Governor's Office at 404-656-1776 and ask to speak with Governor Deal. If they say no, then tell the person that you are opposed to House Bill 170 and that you want the Governor to VETO the bill. This bill is not in Georgia's best interest. Please pass this along to everyone.

I believe gerrymandering is a primary cause of the sorry condition of our Congress.

It is about convincing Senator Sanders to run for president.

Maryland’s Fair Campaign Financing Fund, our only state-wide program for public funding of elections, proved its worth in the last election – giving a voice to both Delegate Mizeur and Governor Hogan. But the tax check-off, which funded this program through the decades, has been eradicated. The fund now has just over $1 million available, which would not be sufficient to provide a qualifying candidate full grant funds in the 2018 elections.

There are now 32 state legislators who have been indicted or have left office due to criminal or ethical issues since 2000. Incremental change in the budget, negotiated in secrecy, is no substitute for real comprehensive ethics and campaign finance reform. Call on our leaders to tackle this crisis with real reform now.