Tag: new mexico

New Mexico Gov. Grisham under fire for allegedly spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on groceries, alcohol, dry cleaning

New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Lujan Grisham is in hot water for allegedly using taxpayer money to buy herself groceries, liquor, and dry cleaning. Financial documents obtained by local media showed that in the last half of 2020, Grisham spent $13,500 on various expenses, including Wagyu beef, tequila, vodka, gin, and wine.

In addition to extravagant spending on alcohol and personal effects, reports say that individuals close to Grisham received significant raises that ranged between $7,500 and $12,000.

“It’s not what tax dollars ought to be spent for,” said Republican House Minority Leader Jim Townsend. “In the time when people are hurting all over the state, using their tax dollars to buy Wagyu beef has got to be a little bit disenchanting to many people. I think it’s just more of [an] indication of the problem that we have had and the governor has had connecting with people.”

Beyond questionable expenditures on the taxpayer dime, Grisham has also been criticized for issuing family gathering restrictions for private citizens throughout the pandemic while simultaneously holding large events and meetings of people at her mansion.

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New Mexico governor shuts down grocery stores for two weeks

A dozen grocery stores around the state have been forced to close for two weeks because of a public health order issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at a time when the state’s residents are suffering from record high unemployment and food insecurity, critics say.

The order requires businesses with four or more rapid responses of COVID-19 cases reported within in a 14-day period to close for two weeks.

More than 25 essential businesses were shut down as of Monday afternoon, including a number of grocery stores and major retailers.

The closures include two Walmarts in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe, an Albertson’s in Roswell, a Smiths Food & Drug Center in Albuquerque and New Mexico Food Distribution Center in Albuquerque.

The state’s environment department has published a complete list of businesses that have been closed due to employees testing positive for COVID-19, as well as a watch list, and FAQ about the watch list.

Access to purchase food is now limited because of another order issued by the governor requiring capacity limitations at all stores. New Mexicans are now waiting outside, standing in line for up to two hours, local news reports indicate, which the governor’s office has disputed.

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