Gov.'s Staffers Find Jobs Despite Hiring Freeze (NM - Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | April 10, 2010 | Thomas J. Cole

[CedarDave]

Since the imposition of the state "hiring freeze" in November 2008, at least seven workers in the Governor's Office have moved to jobs elsewhere in government.

All but one of them has been given exempt, or political appointee, positions, earning just about the same amount of money they did in the Governor's Office.

Under the hiring freeze imposed by Gov. Bill Richardson to help ease the state budget crunch, an exempt position can be filled only if the hiring is necessary and critical to an agency's mission.

~~big snip~~

While the administration uses the term "hiring freeze" to describe the employment restrictions put in place in November 2008, it would be more accurate to call it "hiring curtailment" since jobs can be filled under certain circumstances. Jobs that are essential to health and safety, for example, can be filled.

Before filling an exempt job, an agency is required to file with the administration a detailed statement on why the hiring is necessary and critical.

By August 2006, a few months before Richardson's re-election, the number of staffers in the Governor's Office had swelled to 47, about 20 more than under the previous governor, Gary Johnson.

Shortly before imposition of the hiring freeze, the Governor's Office had 43 budgeted staff jobs, but 10 were vacant. It had 41 budgeted slots and 12 vacancies as of March 1.

There has also been a decline in the number of employees in so-called unauthorized exempt jobs — political appointee positions that haven't been funded by the Legislature. To pay the salaries, agencies have to find money elsewhere in their budgets.

The ranks of these political appointees has declined from 36 before the hiring freeze to 20 as of March 1.

At least nine of the unauthorized exempt employees are Richardson appointees.

[CedarDave]

The article details (including some names and salaries) ten of those who have moved from jobs in the Governor's Office to elsewhere in New Mexico state government. Interesting stories include his deputy chief of staff, a former legal assistant and paralegal who is now deputy secretary of the Department of Workforce Solutions. She earns $99,000 a year, about double her salary when she began work for Richardson six years ago. (In fairness, she did earn a bachelor's degree in business/administration from the University of Phoenix while working in the Governor's Office However, she probably got time off at taxpayers expense.) Another is the maid at his governor's mansion who earns $46,315 annually.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING!

(Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list)

[JohnLongIsland]

Bet anyone there’s no teachers, cops, fireman, garbage collectors, bus drivers, etc. on that exempt list..

[CedarDave]

Well, no teachers but project coordinators for the departments of Public Education (whatever they do).

And, of course, the Governor’s maid (I wonder if he’s... never mind).

[leapfrog0202]

A $46,000 per year maid? I know she’s not the only person working in the mansion so how is that salary justified? Shoot, I’ll quit my job and be the maid!