New Mexico Lawmakers Embrace Effort to Regulate Dark Money

[TexasTowelie]

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A state-by-state initiative aimed at regulating and possibly limiting the role of money in politics through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution has won its first endorsement from a state legislative chamber.

The New Mexico House of Representative voted 41-28 on Wednesday to urge Congress to restore greater federal and local regulation of political spending that influences elections and governance. State Senate action is pending.

The effort seeks to reverse Supreme Court actions including the 2010 Citizens United decision that cleared the way for unlimited independent elections spending. It sparked a spirited floor debate Wednesday about political spending and free speech.

Similar measures are slated for introduction soon in Alabama and New Hampshire. The non-binding resolution called a "memorial" also pledges support for a constitutional amendment to end partisan gerrymandering.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-02-07/new-mexico-lawmakers-embrace-effort-to-regulate-dark-money

[Desert grandma]

1. Very proud of my (mostly) blue state

in being the first legislative body to endorse this resolution. Wish every state would do this. NM Senate and House both have Democratic majorities. We need to flip as many seats as we possibly can at the state level in EVERY state. It will make a huge difference after the 2020 census when districts in each state may be redrawn according to new population numbers.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Great news to hear this!!

Another step in the right direction! I think every state and US territory should embrace dark money limits and ID of where dark money comes from, AND a totally unbiased system to redraw legislative boundaries when called for after each 10 year census. Good for New Mexico and you should rightfully be proud of New Mexico. I'd like to push in Missouri, but doubt it will go anywhere being dominated by repugs.

[janx]

3. Reminds me of McCain/Feingold on the national level.

Maybe state by state is the way to go.