By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM- One of the many obstacles we face here in New Mexico is the lack of transparency. The University of New Mexico (UNM), in particular, is notorious for keeping things they don’t want brought to light, hidden from members of the public that fund them with their tax dollars. Rep. Jason Harper (R) from Rio Rancho is sponsoring a bill that will further protect UNM and other research Universities from being transparent and held accountable by public citizens.
“Instead of demanding more accountability and being more vocal about the University of New Mexico’s radical abortion agenda that is being funded by taxpayers, it is disconcerting that some Republicans are attempting introduce legislation that will provide more cover and less transparency. With this latest development coming to light, it is becoming more apparent that the Abortion Cartel in New Mexico is being given aid and cover by both the Republicans and Democrats,” stated Bud Shaver, executive director of Protest ABQ.
“data, records or information of a proprietary nature produced or collected by or for faculty or staff of a public post-secondary educational institution in the conduct of or as a result of study or research on medical, scientific, technical or scholarly issues where such data, records or information has not been publicly released, published, copyrighted or patented;
In a free and open society, it is a fundamental right of every citizen to obtain and inspect public records especially from publicly funded institutions, like UNM. However, HB 267 will hinder that process and ultimately protect UNM and their radically pro-abortion agenda from public accountability that is already unchecked at every turn.
Angelo Artuso, attorney for Protest ABQ issued the following statement:
“HB 267 contains a dangerous amendment that will, in all likelihood, prevent the sort of public information that has been obtained over the years by local activists, showing UNM’s relationship with Southwestern Women’s Options and their collaboration in harvesting and utilizing aborted baby remains in research. On its face, the statute is too broad. Who will decide if the information obtained from a private party or entity is “proprietary?” What does that mean? Who decides whether information produced or collected by the University is properly considered “proprietary?”
There are too many questions surrounding this bill and too much at stake should it pass. For these reasons we ask you to contact Rep. Harper and ask him to withdraw this bill until he can work with someone who can amend it properly so that it doesn’t infringe upon a citizens right to have access to and inspect public records.
Rep. Jason Harper
505-986-4227 JasonHarperNM@gmail.com
HB 267 is set to be heard in the House Education Committee on Friday, February 17, 2017. In addition, please contact these committee members and ask them to oppose HB267.
House Education Committee Members:
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
505-986-4846 stephanie.garciarichard@nmlegis.gov
Rep. G. Andrés Romero
505- 986-4433 andres.romero@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Alonzo Baldonado
505-986-4226 alonzo.baldonado@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Jim Dines
505-986-4242 jim.dines@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Jimmie C. Hall
505-986-4215 jimmie.hall@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Rick Little
505-986-4220 Ricklittleforrep@gmail.com
Rep. Dennis J. Roch
505-986-4227 denroch@hotmail.com
Rep. Tomás E. Salazar
505-986-4436 tomas.salazar@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Debra M. Sariñana
505-986-4464 debbie.sarinana@nmlegis.gov
Rep. James E. Smith
505-986-4233 jim@jimsmithnm.com
Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton
505-986-4780 sheryl.stapleton@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Christine Trujillo
505-986-4249 christine.trujillo@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Linda M. Trujillo
505-986-4255 linda.trujillo@nmlegis.gov
Sample Wording and Email Addresses to simply Copy/Paste:
In a free and open society, it is a fundamental right of every citizen to obtain and inspect public records especially from publicly funded institutions, like UNM. However, HB 267 will hinder that process and ultimately protect UNM and other universities from providing transparency regarding experimental research that is important for the public to know about.
In the interest of public accountability and oversight, please oppose HB 267.
JasonHarperNM@gmail.com
stephanie.garciarichard@nmlegis.gov
andres.romero@nmlegis.gov
alonzo.baldonado@nmlegis.gov
jim.dines@nmlegis.gov
jimmie.hall@nmlegis.gov
Ricklittleforrep@gmail.com
denroch@hotmail.com
tomas.salazar@nmlegis.gov
debbie.sarinana@nmlegis.gov
jim@jimsmithnm.com
sheryl.stapleton@nmlegis.gov
christine.trujillo@nmlegis.gov
linda.trujillo@nmlegis.gov
