Associated Press: New Mexico Voters to Decide on Need for Ethics Commission

Associated Press: New Mexico Voters to Decide on Need for Ethics Commission

Heather Ferguson, executive director of New Mexico Common Cause, said an ethics commission will help build trust in government. Aside from investigating possible corruption, she told the Santa Fe New Mexican that a commission would serve as an educational tool for officials seeking to avoid violating laws. She said the panel should be able to provide opinions much faster than the state attorney general's office, which also weighs in on questions from lawmakers and others.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — It will be up to New Mexico voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow for the creation of an independent ethics commission.

The proposal is on the ballot this year after many years of debate in the Legislature over establishing such a panel to address complaints involving state officials, legislative employees, lobbyists and government contractors.

The state has had a string of public corruption scandals going back more than a decade, with two state treasurers, two state senators, a secretary of state and a deputy insurance superintendent going to prison on criminal charges. …

Heather Ferguson, executive director of New Mexico Common Cause, said an ethics commission will help build trust in government.

Aside from investigating possible corruption, she told the Santa Fe New Mexican that a commission would serve as an educational tool for officials seeking to avoid violating laws.

She said the panel should be able to provide opinions much faster than the state attorney general’s office, which also weighs in on questions from lawmakers and others.