THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER STATE SENATOR PHIL GRIEGO HAS SOME SOME SAYING NEW MEXICO NEEDS TO PAY ITS LAWMAKERS. NEW MEXICO IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT DOESN’T PROVIDE ITS LEGISLATURE WITH A SALARY. THEY’RE REIMBURSED, HOWEVER, FOR EXPENSES. IT ALSO BANS USING PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
GRIEGO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF USING HIS POSITION AS A LAWMAKER TO SELL AND MAKE A 50-THOUSAND DOLLAR PROFIT FROM A DOWNTOWN SANTA FE PROPERTY. A BALLOT INITIATIVE FOR NEXT YEAR COULD ASK VOTERS IF AN INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMISSION NEEDS TO BE FORMED TO MAKE COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAWMAKERS MORE PUBLIC.
