Rawson Using Public Office to Enrich Himself
CONTACT: Steve Fischmann 575-635-9582
October 29, 2008
(Las Cruces, NM) -- Steve Fischmann, Democratic candidate for the 37th Senate District, today revealed yet another instance where incumbent Leonard Lee Rawson attempted to use public office for his own financial benefit at a Press Conference in Las Cruces.
"There is a disturbing pattern of putting self-interest ahead of the public interest in Senator Leonard Lee Rawson's recent career. We need legislators that look out for all of us, not just themselves." Mr. Fischmann said.
In the most recently uncovered incident, Senator Rawson wrote and sponsored a government procurement bill in 2007 that would have benefited construction supply companies like his own 'Rawson Inc. Builders Supply', while putting taxpayer-funded construction projects at risk of cost-overruns and expensive delays. Rawson bill SB 683 sought to turn industry standards on their head, requiring state and local governments to pay for construction supplies up front with no safeguards in the event of damage, destruction or fraud.
Governor Richardson wrote in his veto message that Rawson's S.B. 683 "would have required a governmental entity to pay for construction materials without having the opportunity to inspect the materials or ensure that the materials were delivered to the construction site. This may allow contractors to bill government entities for supplies that are not used or needed for construction projects"
In 2003, Rawson used taxpayer funds to pave a road that improved access to a business he owned and family property that is outside his district. $111,000 in capital outlay funds from the legislature went to pave 14th Street in Las Cruces, improving primary access to a commercial development of Mr. Rawsons.
In recent months Senator Rawson has stoutly defended the management practices of the State Land Office despite an Attorney General's opinion that many of the Land Office's contracts are illegal, evidence that many of the Land Office contracts are giveaways to land speculators at the expense of our public schools, and a recent decision by the State Auditor to review these contracts. Senator Rawson's brother George has been involved in a variety of land transactions with the Land Office.
"When you find an employee diverting funds for his own benefit in private business you fire them," Fischmann said. "I think voters should apply the same standard to their elected officials."
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» Veto Message SB 683
» An Act: Relating to Public
Works Projects; Requiring
Payment for Materials Not
Delivered To Or Stored
On A Job Site.
» Rawson Using Public
Office to Enrich Himself
» Sen. Rawson's Accusations
of
'Voter Fraud' Ring
Hollow: Opposed
Paper Ballots, Funds to
Train Election Judges
» Sen. Rawson Cost
Las Cruces High-Paying
Tech Jobs,
Nursing
Partisan Grudges
Took Priority
» 4 steps to energy
independence:
Steve Fischmann is leading
the
way to energy and
economic independence
in New Mexico
» Fischmann Op-Ed on
State Land Office Deals
» Steve Fischmann and Lee
Rawson Comparision
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