Investigations boost ethics reform

The atmosphere of scandal surrounding state government may be a net gain for ethics reform and six bills Attorney General Gary King will be pressing when the Legislature convenes next week.

"Most of the bills that we're introducing this year, we actually introduced last year, too," King told KRQE News 13 on Thursday.

But state lawmakers didn't pass those bills last year or in any other year they were presented.

This year one pay-to-play investigation forced Gov. Bill Richardson to give up a potential cabinet seat in the Obama administration. That case involving members of his administration, a California financial company, state contracts and political campaign contributions is currently before a federal grand jury.

That investigation caused the governor to give up a potential cabinet seat in the Obama administration. Additionally a lawsuit unseal Wednesday alleges pay-to-play in the placing of state investments in exchange for campaign contributions.

In both those investigations participants have denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed.

"The pressure is on," Steven Allen, director of Common Cause New Mexico , said. "The wider public knows it needs to get done."

When it comes to ethics laws, where does New Mexico rank compared to other states?

"We definitely have the least," Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, said.

King said he believes would lead to better government.

"Let's get some laws on the books that will give everybody a good idea about what we perceive as being acceptable behavior," he said.

Keller, a freshman lawmaker, said he hopes to create a new state law that would punish companies engaging in pay-to-play.

"It's a very pretty blunt instrument that says if you are involved in a state contract, or trying to get one, you can't contribute to candidates."

Most reformers said despite the investigation into the Richardson administration, the governor will lead the way on ethics reform.

"I will have an ethics-reform package, too," Richardson said at a news conference Wednesday.

King's reform plan is expected to get serious consideration from lawmakers. It includes placing limits on campaign contributions and protecting whistleblowers who report ethics violations.