For Immediate Release November 26, 2013

Contact: Howie Morales 575-322-5012

Senator Howie Morales Makes Official IPRA Request of State Agencies Requesting Information About Jay McCleskey
Requests made in hopes of shining light on McCleskeys involvement within State Government
Silver City - State Senator Howie Morales (SD-28) today submitted IPRA requests to fourteen state offices and agencies inquiring about the role of Governor Martinez's Political Director, Jay McCleskey, in influencing state policies (copy of letter attached). The IPRA requests are fairly broad in scope and inquire about the following: Records of emails exchanged between state officials, and or staff from these various offices and agencies and Mr. McCleskey in which state business was discussed Records of meetings of state officials, and or staff with Mr. McCleskey regarding public information which official state business was discussed Records listing all individuals involved or attending meetings regarding official state business discussions with Mr. McCleskey Record list of official documents involving state business that have been sent to Mr. McCleskey and any documents created by him that have been distributed to any member of these state offices and agencies

These IPRA requests were sent to the following agencies: Governors Office, Secretary of States Office, Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Economic Development Department, Higher Education Department, Public Education Department, N.M. Office of the State Engineer, Environment Department, Department of Health, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Human Services Department, Department of Information and Technology, Department of Indian Affairs, Department of Workforce Solutions "Recent developments have come to light suggesting numerous, potentially illegal activities conducted by Mr. McCleskey," said Senator Morales. One thing that has certainly come to our attention is that Mr. McCleskey is more involved in the policy making and inner working of our government than what we had previously believed. I am submitting a formal request to inspect public records under the

Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) to the following state offices and agencies to help assess exactly to what level this non-elected nor appointed person is involved in at the daily business of our government. The people have a right to know who is actually making important decisions that are affecting their lives and laws that govern them. As an elected official, I believe it is my duty to get them the answers. Governor Martinez campaigned three years ago on a platform of open government and transparency. The actions taken by her political director are a clear indication that she had no intention of living up to those campaign promises. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Mr. McCleskey's actions is that we do not know for whom he is really acting on behalf of. We know that he works directly with the Governor, but we do not know whom else he works for and what their interests are in our state. This is a man who has unprecedented access to policy decisions and yet we have no idea what his potential motives are. It is time that we have some answers.

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