Joseph Maestas has spent much of his life in public service, with time as a city councilor in Española and Santa Fe, the mayor of Española and a member of the Public Regulation Commission. He says his current job, state auditor, has been the most rewarding as he works to safeguard taxpayer money across the state.

In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Maestas joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior political reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his background, his current role as auditor and his plans for the future.

Serving in his third year as state auditor, Maestas talks about some of the issues his office is facing, including a contracting public accounting industry and a budget he feels falls short in allowing his department to perform its duties at the level he would like.

Maestas shares his thoughts on a DOGE-like proposal brought forth in the latest legislative session. He also talks about what’s been going on at the federal level, saying the Trump administration’s firing of federal inspectors general places more responsibility on state governments in battling fraud, waste and abuse.

Chacón asks Maestas about the city of Santa Fe’s standing as it has worked to catch up from years of late audits. He also inquires about a recently announced special audit into Mora County amid allegations of financial improprieties, including an estimated $2.7 million in unaccounted public funds.

Joseph Maestas has spent much of his life in public service, with time as a city councilor in Espa&ntilde;ola and Santa Fe, the mayor of Espa&ntilde;ola and a member of the Public Regulation Commission. He says his current job, state auditor, has been the most rewarding as he works to safeguard taxpayer money across the state.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse,&rdquo; Maestas joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior political reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to discuss his background, his current role as auditor and his plans for the future.
Serving in his third year as state auditor, Maestas talks about some of the issues his office is facing, including a contracting public accounting industry and a budget he feels falls short in allowing his department to perform its duties at the level he would like.
Maestas shares his thoughts on a DOGE-like proposal brought forth in the latest legislative session. He also talks about what&rsquo;s been going on at the federal level, saying the Trump administration&rsquo;s firing of federal inspectors general places more responsibility on state governments in battling fraud, waste and abuse.
Chac&oacute;n asks Maestas about the city of Santa Fe&rsquo;s standing as it has worked to catch up from years of late audits. He also inquires about a recently announced special audit into Mora County amid allegations of financial improprieties, including an estimated $2.7 million in unaccounted public funds.

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

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