So much for lobbyist reform

How quickly we forget or simply choose not to remember.

In January, Susana Martinez was a spanking new governor who had this to say about lobbyists:

"... I propose prohibiting members of my administration and the Legislature from lobbying for two years after leaving state government.There must be no question that public officials are serving only the interests of the public, not positioning themselves for a big payday with a special interest group."

No such restrictions were implemented, and the governor's idealism did not seem to matter when a legislator from her own Republican Party resigned his seat and jumped right into lobbying.

Former state senator Kent Cravens of Albuquerque quit in mid-term this fall to become a lobbyist for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.

Cravens was back in the Capitol on Monday, looking out for his new employer and glad-handing with his old buddies.

Martinez had only praise for Cravens, who went from lawmaker to lobbyist in nothing flat.

She said he had served the people of New Mexico "with incredible class and distinction.”

Nowhere was there any concern, much less outrage, about Cravens' instant transformation from senator to advocate for oil and gas interests.

Had a Democrat done what Cravens did, we doubt that he or she would have been praised for stellar public service.

Comments

[Suzy]

Typical Suzana, accuse everybody of cronyism in hirings and appointments then does it herself - claim to support stopping legislators from becoming lobbyists, except when they are in her own party. Oh well, how low can you go....

[Nike Heels]

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[Cesped Artificial Precios]

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