When the Legislature convenes in January, Gov. Bill Richardson will propose the creation of a powerful, independent ethics commission, limits on gifts and campaign contributions and public financing for judicial candidates.
The strong set of proposals goes beyond what many predicted the governor would push and is based on the recommendations of Richardson’s ethics task force. Many legislators oppose various aspects, and it will be tough to sell all the proposals.
Richardson urged citizens and members of the business community to lobby for the reform proposals.
“New Mexicans expect a government that’s honest and honorable,” Richardson said during a luncheon Wednesday in Albuquerque, where he announced the proposals. “Holding the highest ethical standards is our responsibility as public servants. It’s also the best and only way we can protect the public’s faith in their democracy.”
Richardson proposed the creation of a stronger ethics commission than many anticipated, but he has been an ally of the Judicial Standards Commission, which oversees ethics in the judiciary. According to a news release from the governor’s office, the new commission would provide oversight of the executive and legislative branches of government and would investigate complaints. The commission would have disciplinary powers that include the ability to fine, censure and reprimand public officials, state employees, lobbyists and contractors.
Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces was preparing her own ethics commission legislation, but it wasn’t as strong as Richardson’s because, she said, she feared such a tough proposal would have no chance of passing the House. Garcia’s proposal would have created a commission without disciplinary powers that would make recommendations to “the proper agencies” based on its findings.
“His sounds much stronger than mine was and, for that reason, it’s even better,” Garcia said. “I really applaud his efforts. I think it’s very necessary.”
Garcia said she’s confident that, with the governor’s support, an ethics commission will be created this year, and said she is anxious to review the specifics in Richardson’s proposal.
Richardson also proposed limiting gifts to state officials, employees and candidates to $100 during legislative sessions and $250 the rest of the time. He proposed criminal penalties for violators.
The governor also wants limits on campaign contributions to statewide candidates of $2,100 per individual or political action committee, per election cycle – matching the federal limit – and $1,050 for Public Regulation Commission candidates and those running for legislative and district judgeship seats.
In addition, Richardson proposed more frequent campaign finance reporting and more detailed requirements for reports, including the reporting of cumulative totals for contributions from individuals and PACs. He also wants the Legislature to amend the Governmental Conduct Act to include judges, who are currently exempted from its requirements.
Richardson also proposed a phased shift toward public financing that would begin with judicial candidates. The program would be modeled after this year’s test in PRC races. Candidates who opt in can’t take gifts of more than $5, and qualify if they meet a certain threshold.
If a candidate opts in but an opponent does not, the publicly financed candidate receives funds that roughly match the opponent’s.
Many Republicans oppose public financing. Those PRC candidates who tried it this year reported some problems, including the timeline for disbursement of money. With some tweaking, however, both Republican Kent Evans and Democrat E. Shirley Baca said the system can work.
Richardson said ethics reform is necessary in New Mexico.
“These proposals will allow New Mexicans to know where campaign money comes from, where it goes and how it’s spent,” Richardson said. “This is not an issue that affects the few. Every citizen benefits from a government that is open, transparent and accountable, and every citizen is harmed by one that is not.”
The governor pushed some anti-corruption proposals in this year’s session, but only one passed – a ban on campaign contributions from contractors seeking to do business with the state.
“The remainder of the package died in the Legislature,” Richardson said. “This time, there are no excuses. This time, reform must be done.”
When the Legislature convenes in January, Gov. Bill Richardson will propose the creation of a powerful, independent ethics commission, limits on gifts and campaign contributions and public financing for judicial candidates.