ALBUQUERQUE – Governor Susana Martinez held a press conference yesterday at the Metropolitan Courthouse in Albuquerque to urge legislators to pass four important anti-corruption measures during this year’s legislative session.

During her State of the State address, the Governor announced her support for four specific measures that will protect taxpayers and increase penalties for public officials who are convicted of corrupt behavior. Governor Martinez was joined today by Sen. John Ryan (R-Albuquerque), Rep. Al Park (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque), and Rep. Zachary Cook (R-Ruidoso).

“State law needs to be changed to better hold corrupt public officials accountable for their actions and better protect taxpayers from having to pay for their crimes,” said Governor Martinez. “Public officials found guilty of engaging in corrupt activity should be immediately removed from office, lose their state pension, and be prohibited from conducting any future business with the state. In a bipartisan way, we must send a message during this legislative session that corruption in New Mexico will not stand.”

A bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) and Rep. Cook will immediately remove elected officials from office upon conviction of public corruption. Last September, former Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. pleaded guilty to serious felonies but remained in office and collected a taxpayer-funded paycheck for 10 more days.

The bill would prevent legislators from acting as lobbyists for two years after leaving their positions as government officials. Governor Martinez has already required that her appointees commit that they will not lobby state government for two years after leaving her administration.