New Mexico Watchdog is proud to be part of a national effort to shine more light on state and local governments. State think tanks know that the pullback in state house reporting by newspapers hurts democracy and makes for unaccountable government. We are a mix of veteran journalists, young reporters, accountants, lawyers and policy analysts. Here’s what my counterparts in other states have been reporting.

Nebraska University Credit Cards Abused by University Officials. By Joe Jordan of Nebraska Watchdog. A $628 fountain pen, a $750 picture frame, a $219 gold club and a $250 Nintendo Wii game…and the Nintendo was never used, the golf club can’t be found and the state auditor says these and other purchases appear to be inappropriate.

Keeping Fredonia Free. By Clint Brewer of Tennessee Watchdog. A historic black community in the path of economic redevelopment faces loss of homes and destruction of family and social networks.

Economists: State Deficits Could Stall Reform. By Frank Keegan of Watchdog.org. “New budget cuts and tax increases could take a full percent off the Gross Domestic Product and cost 900,000 jobs.”

Marshall University Officials Subpoenaed in Grade Change Case. By Steven Allen Adams of West Virginia Watchdog. The daughter of the West Virginia State Treasurer was the beneficiary of suspicious grade changes by a Marshall University official who was not her teacher.

Texas State Senators Travel in Style, Use Taxpayer Funds for Luxury Resorts, Private Planes. By Lee Ann O’Neal of Texas Watchdog. Politicians on the taxpayer dime at a high-class spa in Maui, the Ritz-Carton in New York City, and flying charter planes at $5,100 a pop. (Texas Watchdog is an independent nonprofit organization not affiliated with the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. It provides training to the Watchdog reporters and editors).

Kansas Made $254.3 Million In Confidential Payments. By Paul Soutar of Kansas Watchdog. Keeping information from taxpayers on how their money is spent.

State Audit Could Shed Light on Wrongdoing. By Andrew Griffin of Oklahoma Watchdog. Shennanigans in an eastern Oklahoma county could be revealed by a state audit, prompted by allegations of misuse of public funds.

State’s Decision Could Endanger Manchester Arena. By Grant Bosse, New Hampshire Watchdog. How New Hampshire handles a revenue-sharing plan could sink Manchester’s Verizon Wireless events center.

Taxes Without Services. By Lynn Walsh of Ohio Watchdog. A video report on how a neighborhood has been annexed, taxed, but is denied services. True taxation without representation in 2009.

“Tardy Ballots Are Ongoing Problem for Virginia Military Voters.” By Paige Winfield of Virginia Watchdog. Our men and women in uniform have a hard time voting in Virginia.