Common Cause New Mexico is stepping up its effort to get a bill for public financing for campaigns.

The group is distributing a "Voters First" pledge for lawmakers to sign.

I pledge to put voters first and will work to pass and enforce legislation for full voluntary public campaign financing for statewide offices, extending the legislation already in place for New Mexico appellate court judge races and the Public Regulation Commission.

So far I haven't seen any public-financing bill introduced.  

In today's Legislative Round-up, I wrote an item about Senate Republican Whip Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Dona Ana, being upset that the governor wouldn't give him a message for one of his ethics bills.

I said that Richardson's office had declined to respond, which was true when I wrote it. I'd waited a couple of hours for a response and assumed they just weren't getting back to me, as has happened pretty frequently in recent months.

However, shortly after I'd abandoned ship for the night, Richardson spokesman Allan Oliver did reply, so I apologize. Here's the original item, followed by the governor's office response.

Is it ethical to prohibit ethics bills?: That’s what Senate Minority Whip Leonard Lee Rawson is asking after the governor declined to issue a “message” for one of his ethics bills. Senate Bill 73, one of several pieces of ethics legislation Rawson has introduced this session, would have required lobbyists for government entities to disclose how much they are being paid.

During a 30-day “budget” session, any bill not dealing with budget matters needs a message from the governor before it can be considered.

“How ethical is it to limit the introduction of ethics legislation?” Rawson said in a written statement. “I was originally concerned about the ethics involved with using tax dollars to lobby to get more tax dollars for a state agency or local office. Now, I am more concerned about why the governor refuses to allow the legislature to debate this questionable practice. This activity could be perceived as being improper.”

Rawson noted the irony that on the same day that Richardson declined to give an ethics bill a message, former state Treasurer Michael Montoya was sentenced to prison for his role in the kickback scheme that prompted the call for ethics reform. 

Richardson’s office on Thursday declined to respond to Rawson’s statement.

Here's Oliver's response:

This is exactly the type of partisan posturing that gets in the way of good ethics reform. 

 The Governor is meeting with the legislative leadership from both chambers, and with both parties, to build a consensus for ethics reform on campaign contribution limits, an elections commission task force, public financing of statewide campaigns, campaign contribution reporting, and the creation of a state ethics commission. 

 No one has done more for ethics reform in New Mexico—strengthening the Governmental Conduct Act, placing limits on gifts, providing public financing for appellate court elections, and requiring disclosure and prohibition of certain campaign contributions during the state contracting process.

 A state ethics commission, as Governor Richardson has proposed, will hold public officials like Michael Montoya accountable for their actions and fight public corruption.  

 It’s ironic that Senator Rawson would call for lobbyist compensation to be reported, but voted against campaign reporting requirements last year.  He seems happy to call on others to report their finances, but reluctant to report his own.  Government compensation is already subject to full disclosure; all state contracts unlike the private sector are a matter of public record.

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 I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the last we hear on this.

There's some folks out there who apparently think they can portray the Legislature in a more funny way than the lawmakers do themeselves.

The Roundhouse Comedy Revue, which plays Monday, Jan. 21 at The Lodge in Santa Fe, 750 N. St. Francis Drive, is a fundraiser for New Mexico Voices for Children.

But actually some legislators are in on this deal. According to a news release, "comedy sketches and songs will be performed by legislators and youth actor/singers from Working Classroom and Albuquerque High School's Drama Department."

Local actor and comedian Steven Michael Quezada will emcee the event. 

A cash bar will be open from 8 to 9pm; the show will run from 9 to 10pm. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased via phone (505-244-9505) or at the NM Voices For Children Web site.