I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Gov. Bill Richardson announced Monday that he would introduce legislation this week to ban campaign contributions from corporations, contractors and lobbyists.
A second piece of legislation his office will introduce will require contractors to register with the state and disclose information such as campaign contributions, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
There already is a proposal to ban campaign contributions from state contractors, but the governor’s proposal would strengthen it by extending it to corporations as well.
“I’m proud of the reforms we’ve enacted since I’ve taken office, including gift limits, public financing for appellate judges, and a ban on contractor campaign contributions during the procurement process,” Richardson said in the release. “I’m urging lawmakers to expand on those reforms and to break the logjam that has blocked our past efforts to create strong and meaningful ethics laws.”
Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, already introduced legislation (pdf) that would prohibit a principal of a state contractor to give contributions to a candidate for statewide office.
According to the governor’s press release:
The new bills that will be introduced in the legislature this week are:
Prohibit campaign contributions from corporations, contractors and lobbyists.
Ø Governor Richardson led the charge in 2006 to ban contractors from making campaign contributions during the procurement process.
Ø This new law would completely ban contributions from state contractors – and extend to corporations and lobbyists.
Require contractor registration and information disclosure.
Ø Prior to contracting with a state entity, a contractor must register with the General Services Department and disclose information, including contributions made by principals, affiliated entities and existing state contracts. The public will have access to the information through an online database.
Ø Those evaluating or deciding on the award of contracts, requests for proposals and invitations to bid would be required to ensure that contractors have submitted the appropriate information and determine that no conflict of interest exists and that no undue influences have been exerted on the decision to award a contract.
The Governor is also urging the Legislature to pass several other ethics reforms that he has been pushing for years including:
Establishment of Independent Ethics Commission
Contribution Limits for Candidates and PACs
Public Financing for Statewide Candidates
Stricter and More Frequent Campaign Reporting
Legislator to Lobbyists Rules
