Albuquerque – The Rio Grande Foundation and Power The Future are calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to take down self-promoting signs funded by New Mexico's taxpayers. Traveling along Interstate 25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe drivers are greeted with a large sign with the words "Gov. Lujan Grisham Highway Improvement Project" predominately displayed. Funds for the $17 million project come from New Mexico's taxpayers not from the Governor's own funds.

"Politicians love to take credit for every good thing that happens under their watch," said Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation. "While we all want good, high-quality roads in New Mexico, to paraphrase former President Obama she 'didn't build that.'"

"Using taxpayer dollars to promote yourself like you're in a campaign is a slap in the face to New Mexicans who are paying the bill," said Larry Behrens, Western States Director for Power The Future. "It's New Mexico's hard-working families, particularly those in the energy industry, who make these road improvements possible. Instead Governor Lujan Grisham appears happy to take their money and all the credit."

Sadly, using taxpayer funds on highway signs for self-promotion is nothing new in New Mexico. In 2003, former Governor Bill Richardson launched what he called the GRIP economic development program which stood for "Governor Richardson Improvement Program." 

Larry Behrens, Power the Future

Paul Gessing, The Rio Grande Foundation