STATEMENT: Susana presser on ethics is laughable, insulting to New Mexicans
January 23, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Forrester, (505) 934-5681
Albuquerque, NM - Recently Governor Susana Martinez held a press conference at which she touted her support for ethics reform in New Mexico and claimed to be a champion of ethical government. Sadly, her actions clearly do not live up to what she said, at the press conference or on the campaign trail before she was elected.
The following is a statement from Scott Forrester, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico:
"Any New Mexican who has followed the coverage of the Governor's first year in office - especially her work to steer millions of dollars in contracts to her political donors - must have had a good laugh today when the Governor claimed to be a champion of ethics.
We shouldn't be surprised. Sadly this Governor's actions just don't match her words. She says "I'm for job creation" but attacks proven incentives; she says "I'm against cronyism" but wastes no time arranging jobs for Darren White, Jon Barela and a dozen others; she says "I'm against judges who contribute to politicians" but she appoints her contributors to the bench.
And, Lord knows, she never stopped shouting from the rooftops that Pay-to-Play would end when she took office. Now that's become the biggest broken promise of them all.
Democrats have taken the lead on ethics reform in New Mexico for years, carrying legislation to cap political contributions, end contributions from lobbyists and government contractors and create unprecedented access to state government
.
Somehow, Susana kept a straight face through the entire press conference, at one point even saying she was appalled that elected officials would abuse their power. But just two weeks ago, the Governor rigged a bid process that gave millions to one of her donors.
The hypocrisy of it all is enough to make you think that the Susana Martinez who convinced New Mexicans to elect her and the one who showed up in Santa Fe last year are two completely different people - with opposite beliefs."
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