Audit of State Spending on Behavioral Health Providers, Water Conservation, Government Transparency

This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel goes over New Mexican implications in the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The state holds a unique distinction in the country, as there is no language in state law addressing same-sex marriage. With a lawsuit pending in Bernalillo County to potentially start settling the matter, how will the Supreme Court’s opinion affect the matter at hand?

The group also examines an audit of state spending on behavioral health providers. Fifteen of the state’s largest providers were accused of mismanaging and potentially defrauding taxpayers of tens of millions of dollars. The audit by the Human Services Department found 36 million dollars in overbilling charges. The Line examines the audit, the providers, and the impact.

The conversation on water continues as the Albuquerque Journal’s John Fleck and freelance environmental journalist Laura Paskus sit down once more to assess New Mexico’s changing attitude toward water and the fight to conserve the resource.

Finally, the Line discusses transparency in government, as Governor Susana Martinez’s administration refuses to release records of a hunting trip taken by First Gentleman Chuck Franco. The trip took place during the bidding process for the contract to run the Downs at Albuquerque racetrack and casino.

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 652 for air June 28, 2013