Think New Mexico Proposes Ethics Reforms for State Legislature Amidst Public Trust Decline
Think New Mexico, a nonpartisan think tank, has released a new report outlining 10 proposals for ethics reforms targeting lawmakers, lobbyists, and advocacy groups in the state. These proposals aim to restore public trust in state government, which has reportedly fallen from 31% in 2020 to a record-low 19% in 2025, according to the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey. The recommendations follow several high-profile scandals, including a former House Majority Leader's conviction for a kickback scheme and a former state lawmaker's arrest for alleged embezzlement. Additionally, there have been recent ethics complaints against current lawmakers, such as Democratic state Rep. Andrea Romero for a part-time job at the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office where she previously directed state money, Democratic state Sen. George Muñoz for allegedly lobbying on behalf of his son’s company, and Democratic state Rep. Joseph Hernandez for alleged campaign expenditure issues following a July incident. Think New Mexico pla...