Sen. Keller Expresses Dismay at Susana Martinez's Vetoes on Slew of Transparency and Accountability Bills

I already reported today on New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez's unfortunate veto of SB 47, the tax expenditure budget bill sponsored by Senator Tim Keller (D-Albuquerque 17). Now Sen. Keller has released a statement responding to that action, as well as Gov. Martinez's vetoes of a number of other important transparency and accountability bills.

Sen. Keller noted that Governor Martinez had an opportunity today to create more transparency in how the state does business. Unfortunately, the Governor has vetoed multiple bills that would, after years of fighting with the previous administrations, finally move the need on good government in our state.

“She supported two accountability bills (HB 64 – Larranga/Keller and SB 44 - Keller), but what a missed opportunity for her to deliver on what New Mexicans clearly spoke in favor of with their votes last November," Keller said. "It seems that it doesn’t matter who is in the Governor's chair, they will attempt to protect their power regardless. We can’t properly govern our state without the right information, and we can't hold anyone accountable without knowing the results of our efforts.”

“All of these bills were bipartisan and overwhelmingly supported," Keller continued. "The legislature is elected and charged by our constitution to make laws, and that should mean something. These are in step with the Governor's campaign results, and New Mexicans clearly wanted these signed. Unfortunately, something else seems to have driven these veto decisions.” The vetoed bills include:

• SB 25 Economic Targeted Investment Oversight (Keller): The State Investment Council will establish a formal structure and performance metrics for all the ETIs (NM private equity, film fund, etc.) to be reviewed separately by a state investment council (SIC) subcommittee.

• SB 17/64 Remove Governor from the SIC (Keller/Neville): the number one recommendation by the Ennis Knupp research completed in 2010 was to remove the Governor as chair of the State Investment Council (SIC).

• SB 47 Tax Expenditure Budget (Keller): Requires tracking of all revenue foregone by various tax carve outs, deductions and incentives, as well as the benefits associated with each policy to the economy (jobs created, businesses grown etc.). This is used in 42 other states in one form or another. LFC estimates we have 108 tax carve outs, and at least $1.3 billion in total exemptions, incentives and tax expenditures.

• SB 187 Program Evaluation and Accountability (Keller/Bandy): Would have created legislative office of accountability and enable the Legislative Finance Council to receive and protect confidential information necessary for its important oversight function. The bill originated from recommendations made by the Legislative Structure and Process Study Task Force.

Sen. Keller explained that New Mexicans can no longer afford to be manipulated on these important issues, and that we need to get the politics out of investments and taxes. I couldn't agree more.