HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 6

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO EXAMINE THE COSTS AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A METHOD OF REPORTING GOVERNMENT WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY.

     WHEREAS, the governmental apparatus of the state of New Mexico is responsible for the expenditure of billions of dollars every year and the management of tens of thousands of employees; and

     WHEREAS, despite the best efforts of capable managers and dedicated employees, as with any large organization, it is inevitable that certain practices and procedures will cause inefficiencies that ultimately waste tax dollars; and

     WHEREAS, such waste and inefficiency is not the result of criminal behavior and can be corrected if brought to the attention of the right people; and

     WHEREAS, such waste and inefficiency also often results in low employee morale, as public employees like to know that their efforts are producing the desired results; and

     WHEREAS, frontline employees and members of the public are often the people most aware of government waste and inefficiency but frequently do not have or are not aware of a viable method of reporting such problems;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of finance and administration be requested to examine the costs and feasibility of establishing a method by which state employees and others could easily and, if they desired, anonymously report state government waste and inefficiency to state employees whose duties would include tracking and referring those reports to the appropriate agencies or officials; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department report its findings to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature by October 1, 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of finance and administration.

- 2 -