In Santa Fe, New Mexico, Democrats in the Senate Rules Committee voted against Senate Bill 484, known as the Government Accountability to Taxpayer Act (GATO). The bill aimed to enhance transparency by identifying and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the state level. Despite being introduced over a month ago, SB 484 received its first hearing with only 25 hours left in this year's regular legislative session.
Senator Jay C. Block (R-Rio Rancho) commented on the decision: "New Mexico taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, particularly how it is being wasted and abused by the same people they elect to responsibly appropriate that money." He added, "This bill purely focused on identifying waste, fraud, and abuse. I am disappointed that Democrats, who claim to champion transparency, delayed consideration of this bill until the 11th hour and ultimately voted to kill it. I am committed to my constituents and the good people of New Mexico to continue these efforts in order to restore trust, accountability, and proper stewardship at the state level of government."
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