There are components of Richardson’s ethics package moving through the Senate right now. Among the proposals:
1. People who do business with the state may not contribute to statewide officials, including the governor;
2. Officials, and their family members, must disclose interests in firms seeking state business;
3. Public officials, their employees, and businsesses may not sell goods or services to state agencies the officials are associated with
There are more but these are good, common-sense measures. I’m proud of the Governor for lending some muscle to these steps. “Good government” moves like these are morally required from democratic officials. As people see how deep the corruption in D.C. can get, with the Abramoff scandal and so forth, it’s good for the Governor to take a stand.