Editor’s note: After NMPolitics.net published this article, we obtained the legislation Common Cause New Mexico is proposing and a PowerPoint presentation the organization will show councilors on Monday. Find those documents here.
The Las Cruces City Council will talk on Monday about whether to create a system for public financing of municipal elections.
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If the council approves a public-financing system, it would likely be implemented for the November 2017 election, not the municipal election that will be held later this year, city officials told NMPolitics.net. (photo cc info)
Documents that detail what the council will consider aren’t yet available from the City Clerk’s Office. But Mayor Pro Tem Gregory Z. Smith said a proposal that will be made at Monday’s work session by Common Cause New Mexico centers on the following discussion points:
- An increase in the influence of money in politics has discouraged voting.
- Making public funds available for candidates who agree to meet a threshold and limit fundraising and spending. Smith said the council may consider contribution limits of $200 for mayoral candidates and $100 for councilor candidates who want to receive public financing.
- Examples of existing public financing systems in New Mexico and other Western states, and best practices.
- Creating a fund to pay for public financing. The estimated cost of Common Cause’s proposal, Smith said, could be around $667,000 for a four-year cycle. He said Santa Fe, which has public financing, spent $285,000 on its system in 2014.
Councilors discuss proposals at work sessions, but they don’t make final decisions. If councilors move toward implementing public financing, they will schedule a vote at a later public meeting.
If the council approves a public-financing system, it would likely be implemented for the November 2017 election, not the municipal election that will be held later this year, city officials told NMPolitics.net.
On a state level, New Mexico has a voluntary public financing system for Public Regulation Commission and statewide judicial offices. Like Santa Fe, Albuquerque has a voluntary public financing system for municipal elections. Four of Albuquerque’s current city councilors won election using public financing.
New Mexico is one of 15 states that has public financing for some or all state elections. Supporters say public financing cuts down on big money in elections while increasing the voice of regular citizens. Opponents claim public financing makes elections more polarized and makes it harder to elect moderate candidates.
Some councilors support public financing
If the conditions are right, Councilor Gill Sorg told NMPolitics.net he is in favor of public financing.
“Several other cities, such as Albuquerque and Tuscon, have been using public financing and have been very successful,” he said.
Smith agreed, saying he “appreciates the desire to keep the financing of election campaigns both ethical and transparent.”
“Campaign contributions in all too many races are seen as ‘pay-to-play’ deals,” Smith said.
Councilor Olga Pedroza said public financing would benefit Las Cruces.
“It’s a win-win,” she said. “If we can get big money out of elections and more participation, public financing will be well worth the cost.”
Councilors will also discuss other election issues at Monday’s work session. Smith and Song said those would include possible changes related to petitions and recall elections.
The work session will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at city hall. You can watch it online here.