Legislative Ethics

Several of our Common Cause New Mexico priorities will be in committee at the Roundhouse over the next few days, and we need your calls and emails to help advance these good-government measures.

The public is at a disadvantage in the final weeks of the election when contributions and expenditures are delayed in being reported.

The public supports bills that would help level the playing field and reduce the influence of paid lobbyists on state government.

All of our New Mexico lawmakers should be having debates, considering legislation, and making decisions on behalf of their constituents with a clear and sober mind. Sponsored by Sen. Harold Pope (D-Bernalillo), a new Senate rule would require that "no senator shall consume alcohol before or during any floor session or meeting of a committee to which a member has been appointed."

House Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey shepherded through HB1 with bipartisan input and support, including a provision to study legislative staffing and district offices.

Our state originally intended to have a citizen-led legislature, but in modern times, an unpaid, voluntary legislature has had the opposite effect -- with ordinary New Mexicans unable to afford to serve. Having an unpaid legislature “may have worked over 100 years ago during the creation of our state when we were horse-and-buggy but in our modern day, we need to have a paid legislature because right now really the only people who can afford to legislate and participate in the legislative process are often individuals who are retired or independently wealthy,” Mario Jimenez III said.