Gov. Susana Martinez (R-NM) doesn't think retiring lawmakers should go to work immediately as lobbyists. Photo credit: {a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robotclaw/5436705281/sizes/m/in/photostream/"}@Robotclaw666{/a}
New Mexico state lawmakers, who are unpaid, can register to work as lobbyists immediately after leaving office. This past fall, state senator Kent Cravens took advantage of this fact and resigned to take a job as a lobbyist with the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association.
Republican Governor Susana Martinez doesn’t think this revolving door serves her state well. She is proposing a new law that would ban state legislators from lobbying until two years after they’ve left office:
Martinez, a Republican, said the proposal is nonpartisan and should be accepted by lawmakers from both parties as a means of improving public confidence in government.
“We should never use service to the state as an opportunity to cash in,” she said during a news conference outside the Metropolitan Courthouse…
We agree.
Republican lawmakers are expected to introduce the bill in the state legislature soon.
Read more:
El Paso Times: Gov. makes her case for lobbyist reform
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