Major “progressive” groups (including out-of-state) spend big to support paid Legislature
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican large the group supporting Amendment 4 to pay New Mexico’s Legislators a salary raise $1.8 million during the latest filing period, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. Of that, $1.2 million came from the Western Futures Fund of Sheridan, Wyo., on Sept. 3.
Other big backers of the initiative include the Albuquerque-based Center for Civic Action and Center for Civic Policy, which contributed $350,000 and $150,000, respectively.
Why would national “progressive” groups support a plan for New Mexico taxpayers to pay legislators an additional $7.6 million annually (starting out)? It is a good question. Here are a few thoughts:
- Progressives instinctively support a more powerful government. Paying legislators further empowers government and gives New Mexico’s left-wing Legislature more resources and power;
- Paying legislators is a significant step towards longer legislative sessions which means time for more big-government mischief in Santa Fe. Of course, the “progressives” love that.
- Paying legislators under this scheme does nothing to actually improve serious systemic problems with New Mexico’s Legislature: corruption issues like the Sheryl Williams Stapleton and Andrea Romero issues would not be addressed and legislators employed by school districts like Albuquerque Public Schools would still be allowed.
No matter WHY they are providing funding for this measure there is no question that big money interests, including those from out-of-state, are on the side of paying legislators.
