New Mexico Business Leaders Urge for More Campaign Finance Transparency in New Poll

WASHINGTON and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, a poll of New Mexico business leaders was released showing serious concern about the lack of transparency in our state's government and campaign finance system. The poll shows overwhelming support for reform amid serious concerns among the business community over the lopsided influence of political donors compared to every day voters. The poll was commissioned by the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED), a nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization, and conducted by Research & Polling, Inc.

Highlights from the poll of over 300 state business executives include the following:

• 71% believe that more transparency is needed in disclosing political contributions.
• 87% believe that political donors have more influence than average voters; 53% believe that they have a great deal more influence.
• 68% believe that companies gain some economic advantage in the marketplace by spending on political campaigns.
• 59% believe that New Mexico's elected officials are more responsive to lobbyists than voters.

"We polled over 300 leaders from a range of industries across New Mexico," said Brian Sanderoff, President of Research and Polling, Inc. "Their strong concern on issues of transparency and contributor influence suggests that the business community may be a potent voice for state reform."

Those surveyed show considerable support for the following transparency-increasing proposals:

• 89% support a requirement that political contributions and expenditures from all sources be made public.
• 86% support a requirement for lobbyists to make public the bills or issues for which they have been hired to advocate.
• 76% support the creation of an independent ethics commission to oversee the ethical behavior of state officials.

"Our democracy depends on the electorate having trust in the system, but these results reinforce the impression that the well-funded and well-connected have disproportionate sway," said Ray Smith, Chairman for the Albuquerque Economic Development and President of Klinger Construction. "The numbers make clear that business leaders all across the state support sensible proposals to turn the course, especially requiring more disclosure."

"Effective state government requires the confidence of the public and the business community," said Simon Brackley, President and CEO of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. "The adoption of thoughtful transparency and ethics proposals will improve the efficacy of New Mexico state government and, hopefully, promote greater engagement."

CED's poll of New Mexico business leaders was conducted between February 2^nd, 2015 and February 18^th, 2015. The poll and its methodology can be viewed here.

Founded in 1942, the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization that delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions to our nation's most critical issues. CED's work is grounded on seven core principles: sustainable capitalism, long-term economic growth, efficient fiscal and regulatory policy, competitive and open markets, a globally competitive workforce, equal economic opportunity, and nonpartisanship in the nation's interest. Learn more at www.ced.org.

SOURCE Committee for Economic Development

Related Links

http://www.ced.org

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