EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes
EDD News:
SANTA FE — In a May 19 letter, The Office of Attorney General concluded that the New Mexico Bioscience Authority Board of Directors acted improperly and in violation of the Open Meetings Act when it met and voted Sept. 11, 2020 to take certain personnel actions.
“The Bioscience Authority plays a vital role in bioscience research and economic investment for the State, and it is imperative that the Board uphold the highest standards of good government in order to avoid compromising the Authority’s statutory purpose,” Assistant Attorney General John Kreienkamp wrote in the determination.
New Mexico Economic Development (EDD) Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said a push for corrective action is imperative. “The opinion of the Attorney General on the Open Meetings Act violation at the New Mexico Bioscience Authority is a needed step toward better transparency and accountability,” Secretary Keyes said. “Biosciences is one of the sectors targeted by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for economic growth and investments and the board should play a much-needed leadership role to grow these jobs and diversify the economy.”
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez added, “The New Mexico Bioscience Authority and the University of New Mexico house the state Center of Excellence for Bioscience, one of four centers of excellence established at public colleges and universities with the aim of growing economic sectors and linking research and industry. Ensuring effective, efficient, and transparent actions by the board at all times is critical to the integrity and success of the Centers of Excellence and bioscience in New Mexico.”
The Authority is a public-private partnership with membership from state government, private business, higher education, and the national laboratories. Gov. Lujan Grisham signed a law in 2019 establishing UNM as a Center of Excellence for Bioscience to better promote jobs and innovation in the industry.
You can read the full letter from the Office of Attorney General here.