Public records audit details response of New Mexico offices

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An audit by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government found it took anywhere from two days to several weeks for many government offices in the state to fulfill public records requests and more than a dozen failed to respond at all.

The group — through a private citizen — filed requests under the Inspection of Public Records Act to gauge the responsiveness, attitudes and practices of more than 120 state agencies and boards and the state's 33 counties.

According to the audit, the majority of state agencies and boards responded to the foundation's requests within the 15-day maximum timeframe under the statute.

Martinez spokesman Mike Lonergan said the administration has taken steps since 2010 to boost transparency through orders that limit the use of executive privilege and legislation aimed at making public records accessible through electronic formats.