ABQJOURNAL: Governor Wants Broader Ethics Reforms To Wait Until 2007

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Governor Wants Broader Ethics Reforms To Wait Until 2007

By Barry Massey/
Associated Press
      SANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson wants lawmakers to postpone work on broad ethics or lobbying reforms until next year and instead focus on anti-corruption proposals developed in the wake of a kickback scandal involving state treasurers.
    Richardson's comments came Wednesday after a Senate committee unanimously approved a bill to prohibit campaign contributions and most gifts to legislators and state elected officials — such as the governor and treasurer — from companies and individuals providing investment or financial services to the state.
    The legislation provides a limited exception to the gift ban, however. It would allow a state official to accept "refreshments'' — such as food and drinks — worth up to $25 from financial and investment industry officials doing business with the state.
    The proposal would impose similar restrictions on gifts to state employees or appointed officials who have some authority over the investment of public money or the issuance of bonds.
    Currently there is no limit on the amount or source of campaign contributions or gifts that can be accepted by legislators and elected statewide officers such as the governor.
    The Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved the bill and sent it to the Judiciary Committee for consideration.
    Richardson told reporters he wanted a "targeted approach'' to ethics reform proposals.
    He suggested a comprehensive study by an interim legislative committee in the summer and fall, which could make recommendations to the 2007 Legislature.
    "We don't have time,'' Richardson said of the current 30-day session. "Let's do it right in interim committee and do it next year.''
    Senate Republican Leader Stuart Ingle of Portales said the legislation was in response to the scandal involving two former state treasurers, who were charged with extortion in a federal prosecution.
    However, Ingle told the committee he intended for his proposal to apply broadly to legislators and all elected state officers — governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, secretary of state and land commissioner — not just officials involved with the investment of public money.
    "I think it's only fair to include everyone,'' said Ingle.
    Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, pointed out the proposed restrictions applied only to one industry — investment and financial services.
    "So we could still go on golf junkets and trips to the Super Bowl if they weren't provided by somebody who is trying to sell us'' investments or financial services, said Ortiz y Pino.
    Congress, in response to influence-peddling scandals, is looking at ethics legislation to limit gifts and trips provided by lobbyists and their clients.
    Richardson is asking lawmakers to approve several measures developed in the wake of a federal prosecution of former treasurers Michael Montoya and Robert Vigil.
    The governor's proposals include changes in campaign finance reporting, tougher penalties for public officials convicted of misconduct and tighter regulation of campaign contributions from companies and individuals while they're seeking to win state contracts.
    Montoya has pleaded guilty to one count of extortion. Vigil, who resigned last year in the face of House impeachment proceedings, has pleaded not guilty to 19 federal charges. Federal prosecutors contend Vigil and Montoya demanded kickbacks from third-party investment advisers in exchange for directing state business to them.

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