The bill seeks to abolish the existing legal provisions that allow for salary setting by law and remove limitations and requirements around legislative compensation. By making the ethics commission responsible for these functions, the bill is expected to create a more consistent and transparent process for determining the pay of state officials. This could foster greater public trust as the commission is an independent body, thus potentially diminishing political influence over salary arrangements.
Summary
SJR8, introduced by Senator Daniel A. Ivey-Soto and Representative Roberto 'Bobby' J. Gonzales, proposes an amendment to the New Mexico Constitution concerning the compensation of elected state officials. The resolution seeks to transfer the authority to review and establish salaries for all elected officers across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to the state ethics commission. This delegation aims to streamline governance and ensure that salary reviews occur every two years, thereby enhancing fiscal responsibility and public accountability in government sectors.
Contention
One point of contention surrounding SJR8 is whether it adequately protects against potential conflicts of interest within the ethics commission, particularly as their decisions would directly impact the salaries of public officials. Critics may argue that this process could still be influenced by political winds, as the commission’s members are ultimately appointed by various political leaders, which could lead to questions about impartiality. Proponents, however, maintain that establishing a dedicated body focused on ethics will largely mitigate these concerns and fulfill public expectations for transparency.
Implementation
If approved, the amendments proposed by SJR8 would become effective on January 1, 2023, reflecting an immediate shift in governance restructuring. This transition is expected to be accompanied by a notable re-evaluation of how salary data is disclosed to the public, with the ethics commission required to publish established salaries by December 1 of every odd-numbered year.