How about the Constitutional Amendment questions on the ballot? Given the unquestionable problems with ethics, corruption and abuse of public office that exists in New Mexico, the need for increased investigation and accountability is unarguable. As one of only a handful of states without an Ethics Commission, we should follow the best practices of other states and avoid the pitfalls too. But here’s the thing voters should ask, “Is this something that should be in the state constitution?” NMBC’s position on this issue is that our state legislators should pass appropriate laws to adjudicate and fund an Ethics Commission, which does not require a constitutional amendment.

The amount of money being spent and the increasing pace of 'attack ads' in the race for U.S. Congress to fill the seat that Steve Pearce is vacating is staggering!

Some of the ads paid for by Xochitl Torres Small (or others who want her elected) paint Yvette Herrell as unethical for failing to disclose state contracts paid to a business (operated by family members) while she was a state lawmaker.

The truth? Yvette Herrell asked the Secretary of State about the state contracts years ago. In 2013 Herrell asked the Secretary of State’s office if she needed to change or amend a disclosure form because two properties owned by Herrell Properties, a company operated by other family members, had existing state leases. The response from the Secretary of State’s office was “NO,” because Herrell does not receive any lease payments and she was not a party to the leases with the state.

Concerning a televised New Mexico Senate debate featuring Martin Heinrich, Gary Johnson and Mick Rich - there were two things that really stuck out:

1) Senator Heinrich stated that he works in a bipartisan manner. Say what? Fact is Heinrich is on record numerous times opposing the other party and the president, just because they’re on the other side.

2) Senator Heinrich’s claim that people who are paid a lot, pay less Social Security taxes than teachers and firefighters.