{"id":35877,"date":"2012-01-30T06:48:04","date_gmt":"2012-01-30T13:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=35877"},"modified":"2012-01-30T06:48:08","modified_gmt":"2012-01-30T13:48:08","slug":"cruces-begins-looking-at-campaign-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/01\/cruces-begins-looking-at-campaign-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Cruces begins looking at campaign reform"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by AMagill\/flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Officials in Las Cruces have begun exploring possible changes to the city\u2019s election ordinance in an effort to address issues that have come to light in recent years.<\/p>\n

Shortly after last year\u2019s municipal election in November, Councilor Miguel Silva<\/a> asked city staff to begin researching possible changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur rules are so lax that a person who has a campaign fund can close it out and pocket the money if he wants to,\u201d Silva told NMPolitics.net. \u201cOur rules need to be tighter, and we need more frequent reporting.<\/p>\n

Silva was referring to a recent report that former Mayor Bill Mattiace, after deciding against running for mayor last year, donated $10,000 from his campaign account<\/a> to help pay for the funeral of his sister-in-law\u2019s husband.<\/p>\n

Silva said the city attorney and clerk have started looking at other ordinances to come up with ideas for reform.<\/p>\n

City Manager Robert Garza<\/a> said the timeline for reporting, and the size and disclosure of contributions, need to be addressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a lot of room to grow our policy and certainly need it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been among those calling for reform<\/a>. Several issues, including the Mattiace donation, have shown the need. Among them:<\/p>\n