Steve Allen

Legislation that would allow a person to register to vote then immediately cast a ballot at early voting sites require that the registration info be entered into the state online voter database on the spot so that county clerks can verify the person isn’t registered and voting elsewhere in the same election.

During a panel discussion hosted by the New Mexico Independent Wednesday night, New Mexico State Sen. John Sapien signaled a willingness to compromise on a proposed 25 percent excise tax on medical marijuana. Also during the discussion, Sapien, Rep. Dennis Kintigh and Common Cause executive director Steven Allen discussed campaign finance reform and Kintigh’s failed [...]

While there are some kinks that still need to be worked out, advocates say, the mayor’s race showed the system does what it is intended to do–reduce the influence of special interest money on elections.

The public financing bill sponsored by Sen. Eric Griego, SB 165, “sits in committee” as the Senate Rules Committee ended this morning’s meeting.

Whatever the consequences for Gov. Bill Richardson personally, his withdrawal from the commerce secretary post raises serious questions about how business is done in New Mexico. It’s not the first time that the shadow of corruption has hung over the state, but this story has the potential to be the most damaging because it could involve not just him, but people who worked for Richardson as well.