Think tank proposes PRC changes

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - It regulates many of the major agencies in the state and has been riddled with corruption.  Now "Think New Mexico" is calling for major housecleaning and some PRC commissioners are not happy about it.

The think tank released a plan on Sunday to overhaul the Public Regulatory Commission.

On Tuesday commissioners Theresa Becenti-Aguilar and Ben Hall voiced their opposition loud and clear.

"You have not consulted with me," said Becenti-Aguilar. "I don't think he and his group are qualified to tell us 'I think you need to go out the door and we'll get somebody else in here,'" said Hall.

The think tank wants the PRC to focus solely on regulating utility companies and not insurance, the state fire marshal's office and transportation as it currently does. The group also wants commissioners, a $90,000 a year position, to be required to have a college degree or at least five years of related work experience.

"They really act as judges," said Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico. "In New Mexico we not only require our judges to have a college degree, but a law degree."

In recent years the PRC has been riddled with scandal. The most recent example is Jerome Block, Jr. who resigned last week after pleading guilty to pocketing thousands of dollars in campaign cash, racking up more than $8,000 on his state issued gas card and not returning a car he test drove to it's dealership.

Commissioner Hall insists a college degree wouldn't help prevent corruption. "How does a piece of paper from a university, I don't care if it's Harvard, how's it going to change that?" Hall asked.

"This commission has had a disproportionate share of duds," Commissioner Jason Marks said. He is currently the veteran on the PRC and agrees with some of "Think New Mexico's" proposal. "In the 12 years of it's existence, by my count, more than 1/3 of commissioners have had their terms marred by a serious scandal."

PRC chairman Patrick Lyons also likes the think tank's ideas.

"Think New Mexico" is taking the proposal to lawmakers in January. Members hope they will put it on the ballot and let voters voice their opinions in 2012.