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Thursday, August 14, 2025Longtime Journalist Argues For Transparent Special Session of Legislature; Says Any Deals Beforehand Need To Be Open to Public Input
We've noted how the Governor and top legislators striking a deal on major legislation before she calls a special session is highly desirable to avoid another train wreck. But longtime NM journalist Peter St. Cyr wants to insure that the public is in on any deals. MLG has not called a special but appears to be leaning that way. Here is St Cyr's guest column: While the political class debates the timing and merits of a special legislative session this fall, my concerns are focused on the process being discussed by New Mexico House and Senate leadership. Their idea to have predetermined agreements in place before convening rank and file members to Santa Fe to simply rubber-stamp legislative solutions without meaningful public hearings should raise red flags with the public, nonprofit stakeholders, journalists and open government advocates. These groups should unite with me and stop this potential dog and pony show in its track and demand meaningful public hearings. New Mexicans should not be on the outside of closed door meetings and left to speculate on whether corporate donors and special interests are using their influence to shape legislative solutions ahead of public interests. These lobbyists should also be required to disclose their work, but Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed a lobbyist disclosure bill in April. Her rejection squandered an opportunity to increase transparency and rebuild trust in state government with the public and rebrand New Mexico’s corrupt pay to play reputation. LIKE A BEE STING Kicking the bill down the road felt like a personal betrayal. It stung especially hard. I remembered then-US Rep. Lujan Grisham’s campaign pledge to support open government and make transparency more than just a buzzword during a Sunshine Week candidate forum I produced in March 2018. A few months after she was elected, I visited with governor and her senior staff and encouraged her to make open government a framework for her new administration. A year later, I woke up choking on blood and gasping for air. When I was diagnosed with Stage Four laryngeal (throat) cancer my priorities shifted and I battled to save my voice. Nothing helped and I spent the next few years recovering from my shattered life and career. The governor’s promises seemed to be forgotten and faded into the ether. But I’m healthy again and will never forget her commitments. The special session’s agenda will be set by the governor and her leadership to mitigate the potential impact of federal policy and massive budget cuts is important. Still, we need to urge her to add the lobbyists disclosure bill to her agenda now. Getting it ship shape and passing it this fall will give lawmakers time during the next session to consider other important changes to increase transparency on financial disclosure forms they and other elected officials are required to file annually. At minimum, the bill’s sponsors and the governor should craft legislation to require any political subdivisions’ lobbyists to provide clear disclosure of their work. After all they are ultimately paid by taxpayers and we have a right to know how our money is spent. The Municipal League and New Mexico Association of Counties should also be required to make their lobbying efforts available to the public since they’re supported by city and county membership dues. A TEXAS LEAD Alternatively, New Mexico lawmakers should consider taking Texas’ lead. This year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation prohibiting political subdivisions, including school boards, from using taxpayer money to hire professional lobbyists after supporters of school vouchers raised complaints their taxpayer money was being used to oppose their policy interests. Going forward, I will no longer identify as a watchdog journalist. After all this I will identify as a hedgehog journalist. They never give up even after being swarmed and stung by a Queen Bee. We welcome your comments including guest columns. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
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