Land of the Broken Computers

Looks like New Mexico has computer software problems galore. This is pretty funny when you think about it. We've got all of these Ph.D.'s running around New Mexico and two national laboratories. Yet, state government can't seem to figure out how to buy a computer system and get it to function.

Let me correct that. They CAN figure out how to BUY the computer. They CAN'T figure out how to get it to WORK.

So, far we've got news stories about over $14 million spent on a broken system for the Labor Department that leaves the unemployed dangling in the wind. Now, Jay Miller has a story about the $28 million inoperative SHARE system, which is leaving "60,000 contractors and vendors and the 24,000 state employees" who have been forced to use it with no solution in sight.

It's good to see that Governor Richardson has been spending that record budget surplus well.

Failure, Failure, Everywhere

Governor Richardson has enjoyed a healthy budget surplus, year in and year out. So, you would think that government agencies would be performing better than ever. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. First, we had snowfall that shut down the state and crippled our highways - in some counties for a second time in just two years.

Now the Journal publishes this (subscription):

The state's Web site for filing new unemployment insurance claims doesn't work, and the only phone number for registering is inundated.

Applying in person? Well, no. There's no way to do that with the New Mexico Department of Labor.

How tough has it been to try to file by phone or computer?

After receiving a letter from a frustrated Sandia Park resident, the Journal did some spot checks.

A reporter's efforts to call up the unemployment claim link on the Labor Department Web site consistently failed during a 10-day period.

A new message appeared on the site last week stating, "Currently the file claim option is not available on-line. At this time please call 841-4000 to file a claim."

By that time, the Journal had already phoned the number dozens of times.

Last Thursday, a Journal reporter finally got more than just a busy signal.

The computer operator answered: There were 106 other calls ahead, with an estimated wait time of 92 minutes. On Friday, 70 callers were on hold, with a wait time of 23 minutes.

But hey, at least we got a train to nowhere and a spaceport.

Not Even a 10% Tipper

Look for Governor Bill Richardson to continue to portray himself this year as a tax cutting governor (subscription):

Richardson has asked lawmakers to enact a $69 million package of tax cuts for individuals and businesses in the coming session.

"The consistent strength of our economy gives me confidence that we can cut taxes, invest in our schools and make health care available to more New Mexicans, while maintaining prudent cash reserves," Richardson said in a news release.

The thing is, the Governor is feasting this year on an additional $720 million in taxpayer funds. So, the Governor's meager $69 million isn't even equal to a ten percent tip back to the taxpayers. Anyone else feel the urge to spit in his food?