ALBUQUERQUE—Today, Steve Pearce, candidate for Governor, joined with law enforcement and government oversight officials to introduce a package of new measures to clean up state government in New Mexico.

“For decades, a small crew of self-selected insiders has taken advantage of our people by putting their own interests ahead of the state. The old way of doing politics in New Mexico has got to end.

“As Governor, I will immediately call for an end to state and local contracts going to elected officials or members of their immediate family. This includes any non-profit entity established by the legislature. News reports have put a spotlight on the state’s high-risk insurance pool. They have examined the corrupt no-compete contract that my opponent’s company Delta Consulting was awarded. New Mexicans are right to be outraged. It is indefensible.

“I am running to clean up New Mexico and restore faith in our institutions. Today, I’m calling for a comprehensive package of measures to outlaw nepotism, cronyism, and corruption in state government,” said Steve Pearce.

Steve Pearce’s Plan to Combat Cronyism, Nepotism, Grift in State Government:
•Pass a prohibition on state and local elected officials from having government contracts including through government established non-profits.
•Endorse ballot measure and support the establishment of the independent Ethics Commission

•Establish a board of retired judges to review ethics issues in a speedy way for state contracts and State Investment Council actions.
•Expanded whistle blower protections and designate ombudsman to receive and support them
•Enhanced harassment reporting and protections so that people can feel safe in lodging complaints with shielding from retaliation.
•Increased public transparency of all government contracts.
•Extend time periods for preservation of records.
Introduce and support legislation that unequivocally renders government established and financed entities subject to all transparency laws.

Steve Pearce has previously called for the state legislature and U.S. Department of Justice to step in and conduct an independent investigation into Delta Consulting’s non-competitive contract to manage the state’s high-risk insurance pool.