Business leaders more eager for reforms, poll finds

Campaign finances, ethics are concerns

The vast majority of New Mexico business leaders — 91 percent — say the ethical behavior of state elected officials over the past two decades is a serious issue, topping last year’s 84 percent in what likely reflects the recent criminal conviction of former Secretary of State Dianna Duran, according to a new poll.

As for the general mood of business leaders, just 24 percent said things in New Mexico “are headed in the right direction,” down from 39 percent last year, said the survey conducted by Research & Polling Inc. of Albuquerque.

Last year’s poll on the direction of the state was done after Gov. Susana Martinez had been re-elected and more business leaders felt like “things were settling in,” Research & Polling President Brian Sanderoff said.

This year’s survey followed the resignation and conviction of Duran for illegally diverting campaign donations due to a gambling addiction, he noted.

The poll of 250 business leaders across the state from Jan. 13 through the end of last month was done for the Wash- ington, D.C.-based Committee for Economic Development, a nonpartisan business-led policy group.

“Those are numbers I would be paying attention to if I were a statewide elected official,” said Michael Petro, executive vice president of the committee.

He said the survey might also be a reflection on Martinez because dissatisfaction has risen among “business leaders who are predisposed to like the governor.”

This year, those who said “a complete overhaul or major reforms” are needed in the state’s campaign financing

system went up seven percentage points over last year, to 55 percent.

And transparency again this year was a “big theme” when it comes to fixing business leaders’ ethical concerns, Sanderoff said.

Sixty-seven percent of business leaders said greater transparency is needed when it comes to disclosure of political contributions, and they continue to feel strongly that “political donors and lobbyists have a disproportionate amount of political influence,” the survey says.

“To have a strong and vibrant democracy is an essential ingredient for a successful economic system,” Petro said. “When you start seeing signs of corruption or perceived corruption … that has economic consequences.”

The survey, for the first time, included an issue that is much talked about in business circles: reform of New Mexico’s gross-receipts tax. Nearly 80 percent favor reforming the tax and its exemptions. In other findings:

Those who support creation of an independent ethics commission totaled 82 percent.

87 percent believe companies that contribute to political campaigns have an easier time getting meetings with elected officials.

Few business leaders — 7 percent — say the problems with money in politics are improving, compared to 13 percent last year. Forty percent said things are getting worse.

Those asked to take the poll included Chamber of Commerce board members throughout the state, private employers and members of several business and economic development associations.