Friends,

Just think, if this bill passes, what will that do to your voice in state politics?


BOTH Caucuses: Let's EXEMPT Ourselves!

Posted by News New Mexico Staff on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Labels: Spence Columns 0 comments


Representative Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque has introduced House Bill 605. The bill would create much greater opportunities than ever for successful influence peddling by incumbent politicians, especially the partisan party bosses in charge of their respective caucuses. HB 605 would EXEMPT both Democratic and Republican Party caucuses from the most fundamental restrictions regarding campaign finance fundraising.

Apparently Representative Stewart is hoping she can easily persuade incumbents in both parties to cast a self-serving vote that gives themselves additional political advantages over their opponents in primaries and general elections. The Albuquerque Journal reported that GOP House Minority Leader Tom Taylor is also on board with this atrocious legislation. Many find it simply astonishing that amidst all the contrived fanfare surrounding countless insignificant bills being introduced in Santa Fe, that there was no pomp or ceremony, let alone a press release regarding this bill.

Why were there no efforts by either Stewart or Taylor to trumpet the wisdom of this proposal? For her part, Stewart pointed to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling when asked by the Albuquerque Journal what her excuse was for introducing such a self-serving bill. And no doubt already too powerful House Speaker Ben Lujan is licking his chops over this new power-grabbing proposal. As New Mexicans learn more about this cynical attempt by party bosses on both sides of the aisle to strengthen the advantages of incumbency, we can only hope that thousands of citizens in our state will shower their elected officials with objections to this outrageous proposal. You can read the bill here: News New Mexico http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/11%20Regular/bills/house/HB0605.pdf (It is the very last sentence that is new and so controversial.)

Click on link to News New Mexico to view original publication. http://newsnewmexico.blogspot.com/


And, go to http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/_locatorcom.aspx?year=11 and click on HB 605 and see the Financial Impact as well.

It is my opinion that if this horrendous legislation passes, all the other issues - photo voter ID, driver's licences, education reform, over-regulation, etc., will just continue to be footballs passed back and forth with no regard for what is best for New Mexico. In other words, incumbent politicians will have even greater advantage. Is that working for New Mexico? NOT.

Representative Thomas C. Taylor - (R)
Capitol 505- 986-4757; Office 505-0306; Home 505-325-9828
Email: tom@tomtaylor.net


Representative Mimi Stewart - (D)
Capitol 505-986-4344; Office 505-275-2355
Email: mstewart@osogrande.com



This bill will be in the Voters & Elections Committee on Tuesday, March 1. Let members of that committee hear your voice:

The members of Voters & Elections need to be called Monday, March 1. Their numbers are in the previous post.