Public Campaign - New Mexico

Turning Tide?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:34:01 -0500

This article in the New Mexico Independent looks at emerging trends in the makeup of the state legislature, particularly the Democratic side, as well as a more energized electorate and how it could bode well for more progressive campaign finance legislation, including public financing of elections. Public financing has a enjoyed a few victories, but these changes could spell more momentum for expanding the Clean Elections program to include more races, and more high-profile offices.

Lobbying Locally

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:28:56 -0500

New rules might be clipping the wings of lobbyists in Washington, DC but in New Mexico lobbyists for developers, health care companies, and the like are lining up to give to campaigns, take legislators to dinner, and host fancy receptions to court legislators as they come into session.

Ethics Recs for New Mexico

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:35:25 -0500

An ethics task force appointed by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) has issued a number of proposal recommendations the state legislature as it heads back into session including improved campaign finance disclosure, an independent ethics commission, and public financing for statewide offices and district judicial races (an extension of the existing judicial public financing program from Supreme and Appellate court positions).

Richardson Supports VOICE

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:05:28 -0500

New Mexico Governor and Democratic candidate for President Bill Richardson weighs in with support for the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act to offer a full public financing option for state races. Richardson called a special session of New Mexico's legislature this year to pass a law creating a full public financing system for judicial races. A system is already in place in the state for candidates for the Public Regulation Commission.

Albuquerque Program Deemed Success

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:05:32 -0500

With five of the nine eligible candidates qualifying in Albuquerque's first run of its public financing program for city elections, the system is being called a success. While both public financing supporters and participating candidates are discussing potential improvements to the law, they are praising the first test of this system which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a 2005 ballot initiative.

Santa Fe Considers Public Financing

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:41:07 -0500

City councilors in Santa Fe, New Mexico are considering a proposal to provide public financing for municipal elections. Not all are sold on the idea, but supporters are hoping to put the proposal on the ballot for voters to decide. New Mexico first adopted a public financing program for seats on its Regulatory Commission. Albuquerque voters supported a ballot initiative to offer public financing for municipal races, and Governor Bill Richardson (D) signed a law earlier this year creating a program for judicial races.

Albuquerque's First Run

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:06:35 -0500

This year Albuquerque, New Mexico will see its first run of city council races where a full public financing option is available and from this report on the candidates who have qualified for public financing it seems there's enthusiasm to participate, especially in the 6th district!

Judicial Public Financing Law in New Mexico

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:42:52 -0500

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed legislation this weekend authorizing an expansion of the state's public financing program to cover statewide judicial races, while vetoing a "poison pill" provision that would have imperiled the law. New Mexico first passed public financing of elections for the state's Public Regulation Commission. Great news!

Public Financing Advances in New Mexico

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:36:10 -0500

New Mexico's House of Representatives has approved a bill that would expand the state's public financing program to candidates for statewide offices and judgeships. The bill is part of a series of ethics and campaign finance reforms that grew out of a task force appointed by Governor Bill Richardson (D). The bill now moves to the Senate.

New Mexico Steps Up Reforms

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:45:37 -0500

In an effort to clean up ethics and campaign finance laws which Governor Bill Richardson (D) has called the "laughingstock" of the country, New Mexico's House of Representatives passed the first of a series of proposals recommended by the Governor's ethics task force. The proposal would put limits on individual and PAC donations to candidates. Another proposal being considered would expand the state's full public financing program.