Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Legislative Wrap Up

This week the Legislature wrapped up another ineffective, corporate-controlled legislative session.  Unfortunately, in our state, lobbyists get the final say.

In a "gift" to the fireworks lobby, the legislature decided to table a common sense solution to a real problem that faces our friends and neighbors -- the Senate Corporations and Finance Committee voted to table a bill, SB 5, that would restrict sales of fireworks during times of drought.

In June of last year the largest wildfire in New Mexico history blazed through more than 244 square miles.  Yet, instead of protecting the community first, the legislature catered to the business concerns of the fireworks lobby.

Fireworks lobbyists were not alone in successfully driving the legislative agenda. Banking and big oil & gas corporate lobbyists can claim victory in the debate over SB 9 -- a bill that aimed to eliminate the corporate tax loophole out-of-state corporations receive at the expense of  families, local businesses, and working people in our communities.

Although an amended bill passed which addressed part of the issue (big-box stores like Wal-mart no longer can use the tax exemption), lobbyists for corporations like Conoco-Phillips, Wells Fargo, and McDonald's were able to keep their corporate clients' interests and pocketbooks safe at the expense of working people and local businesses in our communities.

One positive development out of this session was the passage of an anti-corruption bill. However, once again the legislature did not completely resolve the issue. A more stringent measure that sought to hold employees as well as legislators accountable for corruption did not pass.

Now is our time to take our government back from corporate interests and give it back to our community.  Join us in our Campaign for Change and let's make a difference for New Mexico!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Questions About the Anti-Corruption Bill Vote

This past Saturday, the New Mexico House of Representatives voted on a
bill that would increase penalties on public officials convicted in
corruption charges including embezzlement of funds and bribery.

Over the last few years, we've seen scandal after scandal involving
public officials involved in unethical behavior. Fortunately, the bill
passed the House -- though with no thanks to many of our local
Democratic politicians.  26 Democrats, including Ben Lujan Sr., Jim
Trujillo, and Lucky Varela all voted no.

Why would an elected official NOT vote to hold accountable public
servants that abuse their positions of power?  Who are they
protecting?

Now’s our time to elect legislators who will put the best interests of
the people of New Mexico first.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Let's get corporate money out of politics!


Carl Trujillo at the opening of the 2012 NM State Legislative Session
For too long, many New Mexico state legislators have been heavily supported by corporations and  lobbying groups. 

When a legislator takes large amounts of money from corporations and lobbying groups, who do they really work for?

Here are the ten New Mexico legislators who took the highest amounts of corporate cash in the last election cycle:

Legislator
Amount of Corporate Contributions
1. Ben Lujan Sr. (D-Nambe)
$98,250
2. Michael Sanchez (D-Belen)
$68,188
3.John Ryan(R-Albuquerque)
$67,555
4. Tim Jennings (D-Roswell)
$63,750
5. Stuart Ingle (R-Portales)
$61.150
6.Al Park (D-Albuquerque)
$57,649
7. Rod Adair (R-Roswell)
$56,350
8. Debbie Rodella (D-Espanola)
$53,400
9. Carlos Cisneros (D-Questa)
$53,225
10.David Ulibarri (D-Grants)
$51,576

Join Carl Trujillo's Campaign For Change to stand up to corporations, and the politicians who do their bidding.