CURRENT AND FORMER STATE FAIR COMMISSIONERS MAY BE SUMMONED BEFORE A STATE SENATE COMMITTEE DURING THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE NEW MEXICO STATE LEGISLATURE. RULES COMMITTEE CHAIR SENATOR LINDA LOPEZ SAID ON THURSDAY THAT IT'S ABOUT THE MARTINEZ ADMINISTRATION'S AWARDING OF A 2011 LEASE TO THE DOWNS OF ALBUQUERQUE THAT ALLOWED A LARGER CASINO TO BE BUILT.
CRITICS CLAIM THE LEASE WAS RUSHED THROUGH TO BENEFIT MARTINEZ POLITICAL SUPPORTERS. MARTINEZ SPOKESMAN ENRIQUE KNELL SAYS A HEARING WOULD BE A "PETTY, POLITICAL CIRCUS."
CHAIRWOMAN LOPEZ IS A DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AGAINST MARTINEZ.
