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opinion guest_columns
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Nonprofits Are Watchdogs, Not Attack Dogs
By Keegan King And Eli Il Yong Lee
Nonprofit Directors
The May 23 story “AG Challenges Group's Political Activities” reported that three state senators and a representative complained about mailers sent two months ago by New Mexico Youth Organized, a project of the Center for Civic Policy and the SouthWest Organizing Project.
The mailings criticized the votes of Sens. Shannon Robinson, James Taylor, Bernadette Sanchez and Rep. Dan Silva, as well as contributions from industries and their lobbyists.
Our organizations have a long and proud history of working for good government. As nonpartisan, not-for-profit organizations, it is our responsibility to educate the public about the votes and campaign contributions of our elected officials.
The mailers reported what our research showed: that Robinson, Taylor and Silva have received more than 70 percent of their contributions from sources such as the health care industry, the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, lobbyists, the banking and payday loan industries, the liquor and tobacco industries, PACs and the oil and mining industries.
They subsequently voted in favor of interests supported by these industries. Sanchez sponsored SB 57 in the 2008 legislative session. SB 57 would have made it easier for big industries to evade health, safety and pollution standards in New Mexico.
The Journal quoted Robinson: “I've been personally hurt by this organization attacking my ethics.” Silva, on the other hand, said he was “proud to be supported by businesses.”
We welcome a direct debate with these legislators on who they receive contributions from and whether those industry contributions influence how they vote on critical issues that impact the health and welfare of New Mexicans. We stand by our research.
It has been alleged that we are operating as a political committee. The fact of the matter is that we are nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations exercising our First Amendment right to free speech.
What's been left out of the analysis is that we sent out these mailings in March, shortly after the end of the legislative session and well before any candidates were even qualified to run in this primary election.
The mailings described these legislators' votes in the session and were related to a potential special summer session of the Legislature. The mailers were not intended nor had anything to do with these individuals' future political campaigns.
Educating the public about the actions of our elected officials is our mission as nonpartisan organizations. We hold a unique role in society — to serve as watchdogs for the public interest. ...
The public has a right to know how their legislators vote, and from whom they receive contributions. We will continue to help shed light on our elected officials so that New Mexico citizens are informed, educated and active in our democracy.
Keegan King is executive director of New Mexico Youth Organized. Eli Il Yong Lee directs the Center for Civic Policy.
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