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Only three states score higher than D+ in State Integrity Investigation; 11...
In November 2014, Arkansas voters approved a ballot measure that, among other reforms, barred the state’s elected officials from accepting lobbyists’ gifts. But that hasn’t stopped influence peddlers...
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It’s time to demand full campaign transparency and accountability
COMMENTARY: Recent reports continue to highlight incidents that blatantly violate the spirit — if not the actual letter — of the law of campaign finance disclosure that the people of New Mexico expect...
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Ethics reform: If not now, when?
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netA statue outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. COMMENTARY: Just as 2005 was the year of New Mexico Treasurer Robert Vigil’s indictment and his near-impeachment and trial...
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Martinez’s actions prove the need for an ethics commission
COMMENTARY: Gov. Susana Martinez’s recent abuse of power demonstrates the need for an independent commission to set standards for ethical conduct in state government and investigate complaints. Heath...
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This legislative session, restoring hope has to be the main thing
COMMENTARY: For the past several years, as the holidays draw near and the legislative session looms just beyond them, I have written an article outlining the challenges facing New Mexico and trying to...
View ArticleNMPolitics.net discusses legislative session on TV
I joined other journalists from Southern New Mexico for a televised discussion this week on the upcoming legislative session, which begins Tuesday. Topics included compliance with the federal REAL ID...
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A reading list to help you prepare for NM’s 2016 legislative session
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netThe New Mexico Legislature’s 2016 session kicks off Tuesday at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The 2016 session of the New Mexico Legislature begins at noon on Tuesday....
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Look at the wealth effect in politics to catch scummy behavior
COMMENTARY: It’s no secret money and power flow to and from politics. Lots of it. This has been the modus operandi of our political system for much of our country’s history. Countering those...
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Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line, report says
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netTo curb cronyism in New Mexico, the report suggests three changes that are already under consideration during the current legislative session at the Roundhouse, shown...
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Bill to create ethics commission clears committee without opposition
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netSponsored by Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, the constitutional amendment would create a nine-member commission and paid professional staff to “oversee the conduct” of...
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House OKs ethics commission; skeptical Senate up next
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netHouse Joint Resolution 5, sponsored by Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, cleared the House on Wednesday by a 50-10 vote. This is the furthest that ethics commission...
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Effort to take politics out of capital outlay fizzles in first hearing
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netLawmakers from rural areas opposed the legislation, saying they believed important projects in their districts would be downgraded or ignored if they lost a direct...
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It’s time to create a transparent ethics commission
COMMENTARY: This year our New Mexico State Legislature has a landmark opportunity to pass and embrace the long sought-after independent and transparent ethics commission for both the legislative and...
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Bills to strip pensions from corrupt public officials languish
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netWith only days left in the session, the tough talk about strengthening a law on taking pensions from corrupt public officials has quieted. Bills that would do so have...
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Sen. Michael Sanchez can reform government, but he doesn’t want to
Mark BralleyChed MacQuigg COMMENTARY: Imagine you walk into Sen. Michael Sanchez’s law office to meet with him. You explain that: you are in charge of an endeavor employing 30,000. you have a code of...
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We cannot quit on capital outlay reform
COMMENTARY: Over the past few years, reform of New Mexico’s capital outlay system has received more and more attention. There is little doubt that our system, particularly compared to other states,...
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With Senate committee about to make it ‘toothless,’ Dines withdraws ethics...
Once again, the state Senate has confirmed its status as the graveyard for ethics legislation. A week after the House of Representatives voted 50-10 to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the...
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Bill would forbid campaign spending on mani-pedis and medical costs
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netThe bill, sponsored by Rep. Nora Espinoza, who is running for secretary of state, would prohibit expenditures to defray “normal living expenses” for the candidate and...
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Readers mourn the death, once again, of ethics commission bill
Many New Mexicans are upset that a proposal to create a state ethics commission has met its death once again in the Senate Rules Committee. Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.netWhile 42 other states have...
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Ivey-Soto on defense over ethics commission criticism
Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, said Wednesday he is getting a bum rap over this week’s sudden death of a proposed amendment to the N.M. Constitution to create a state ethics commission. Courtesy...
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