Once again the Albuquerque Journal has written a story about the 'Domenici Institute' which is located at New Mexico State University. It is named after long serving Senator Pete Domenici, a long term supporter of the oil, coal and uranium industries. The Institute is meant to advocate free market approaches indoctrination to fellows and researchers who participate. It will 'advise' governments on its policy findings. This is all suspect to me. Some of the things it will advise on are, the impact of new uranium mining in New Mexico, the effects of recent health care reform, and deficit reduction and economic recovery. Oh, and energy issues.This all sounds okay except for one thing. Who is funding the Institute? As I read through the article I kept thinking I would be offered that information by the reporter. Maybe the uranium industry? Maybe Yates Petroleum? Maybe the Koch brothers? Anti government regulation groups like the US Chamber of Commerce or the Wall Street Investment Banks? Who knows?
Since this facility is soaking up tax dollars by being quartered at NMSU we should know if there is any outside funding for this Institute and who is providing it. The Institute says it is non partisan but the lack of the Journal's inquisitiveness is telling.
