Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Ski Caucus

Once again, Ski New Mexico Inc., the business association of ski resorts in the state have given the most expensive gifts that state legislators are allowed to get -- a VIP ski pass, which allows each lawmaker to try out the slopes at ski areas all over the state, including Santa Fe's.

The organization claimed the value of the passes at $28,000 — or $250 per legislator — which is the limit under the Gift Act that regulates presents bestowed upon lawmakers. Ski New Mexico has been giving this gift for years.

My story on this generous gift to our citizen legislators is HERE.

The most interesting thing I learned is that the lobbyist for Ski New Mexico, Tom Horan says that one legislator last year was found selling his VIP pass on eBay.

There's nothing illegal about this I'm pretty sure. After all, it's a gift.