Quote: "They can cut through a lot of red tape, but I've also experienced where they try to be spin masters more than public information officers." -- Leonard DeLayo, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government


ALBUQUERQUE — Public information officers cost New Mexico millions of dollars a year.

The state pays $3.1 million annually for 51 public information officers, known as PIOs, The Albuquerque Tribune reported Monday.

The highest paid include Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for Gov. Bill Richardson, who earns an estimated $115,000, and Pahl Shipley, spokesman for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, who earns about $95,000.

The Governor's Office has five public information officers, including two who have duties at other state agencies. Salaries for the five cost taxpayers about $404,000 a year.

Children, Youth and Families Department public information officer Romaine Serna — whose title is deputy secretary — earns $93,600, while Department of Finance public information officer Stephanie Lenhart, who acts primarily as a senior policy adviser, receives $89,200. Department of Transportation spokesman S.U. Mahesh is paid $87,000, and state Engineer's Office spokeswoman Karin Stangl receives $84,000.

For comparison, Albuquerque Public Schools spokeswoman Monica Armenta earns $105,000; the spokeswoman for the city of Albuquerque, Deborah James, is paid $95,000.

PIOs for busy agencies answer numerous calls from reporters every day, often starting before work hours and extending past the normal working day and into weekends. Peter Olson, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said his January telephone bill showed 50 hours.

"Transparency is extremely important," said Paul Gessing, president of the limited government research group New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation. Gessing pointed out the state's budget is $6 billion.

He and other open government advocates said, however, that money for public information officers should be spent on people who believe in open, honest government.

"From a press gathering or news gathering position, they can be very helpful," said Leonard DeLayo, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. "They can cut through a lot of red tape, but I've also experienced where they try to be spin masters more than public information officers."

Paul Burt, managing editor for television station KRQE in Albuquerque, said there are good information officers, professionals who return calls promptly and provide information accurately and quickly.

He said those PIOs outnumber the bad ones. Still, he said, "a lot of times, we'll be hearing from someone who is actually witnessing something going on somewhere, and you talk to the PIO, and they deny it."

PIOs also write news releases and talking points for their bosses' speeches and take calls from the public.

"It's crucial that we have someone to articulate to the public what the department is doing because state government does a lot of important things," said state Taxation and Revenue Secretary Jan Goodwin.

Dirk Gibson, associate professor for public relations at The University of New Mexico, said the journalism and communications department teaches accessibility, reliability and accuracy for information officers.

"If we're all honest and professional, the public is going to have maximum information, and our political and commercial systems will work well," he said. "Public interest has to be No. 1."




HIGHEST PAID STATE SPOKESPEOPLE

The state pays $3.1 million annually for its 51 public information officers. The following PIOs have the highest salaries:

• GILBERT GALLEGOS: Governor’s spokesman earns $115,000.
• PAHL SHIPLEY: Spokesman for Governor’s Office of Homeland Security earns $95,000.