HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE – House Joint Resolution 8, to create an Independent Ethics Commission that will restore trust in government, will now head to the ballot.

HJR 8, sponsored by Representatives Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), Bill McCamley (D-Las Cruces), Daymon Ely (D-Corrales) and Jim Dines (R-Albuquerque), proposes a constitutional amendment creating an Independent Ethics Commission tasked with investigating and issuing advisory opinions regarding any violations of laws or misconduct by elected state officials.
 

New Democratic leadership and new members in each chamber with a commitment to renew New Mexicans’ trust in government made the creation of an independent ethics commission a reality.

“An independent ethics commission is critical to moving New Mexico forward,” said Rep Small, a member of the HJR8 Conference Committee. “I am proud to be part of the bipartisan team that moved this historic vote forward, and to deliver on my campaign promise to fight for ethics reform and good government.”

“The voters will now be able to decide on a more ethical and transparent state government that will build trust between our communities and public officials,” Rep. McCamley said. “I’m thrilled to see this long, hard fight come this end, and I’m proud to be part of a Democratic-led legislature that believes in accountability.”

Representative Ely, also a member of the HJR8 Conference Committee, said, “This step toward ethics reform is long overdue. I told my constituents that I would work for New Mexicans and ensure government officials were working for them instead of the well-connected, and now they will be able to participate in the process and vote on that measure.”

HJR 8 will be placed on the next general election ballot in November 2018.