National group targets campaign spending plan

Anational group has launched a barrage of opposition against campaign spending rules proposed by Secretary of

State Maggie Toulouse

Oliver.

Concerned Veterans for America, a Virginiabased group backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, announced Thursday it is sending out mailers targeting the proposed rules and asking recipients to contact the Secretary of State’s Office.

The group, which has also launched digital ads, did not immediately respond Thursday to questions about distribution of the mailers, including how many of them had been sent out.

The ad blitz comes as some nonprofit groups say the proposed rules could infringe on their free speech rights.

Among other requirements, the rules, unveiled last month, would compel groups active in New Mexico campaigns to disclose their donors if they spend more than $1,000 on political advertising during an election cycle.

The Secretary of State’s Office says the rules would increase transparency in New Mexico elections, are narrowly crafted and would not violate constitutional rights.

Three public hearings on the proposed rules will be held this month, with the first one scheduled for next Thursday in Santa Fe.

WEBCASTS: You don’t have to leave your living room to watch New Mexico lawmakers at work this summer.

For the first time, legislative interim committee hearings — at least those held at the state Capitol — are being archived on the Legislature’s website.

The Legislature earlier this year began webcasting and archiving all floor sessions and regular committee hearings. That came after both the House and Senate, following years of footdragging, adopted rules mandating the practice.

Gov. Susana Martinez also implemented webcasting of legislative committees after taking office in 2011, but the governor’s webcasting initiative does not broadcast interim committee hearings.

Legislative interim committees meet while the full Legislature is not in session to hear official reports and discuss draft legislation. Some of the meetings are held around the state, and those meetings will not be webcast, according to the Legislative Council Service.

To check out legislative webcasting, go to the Legislature’s website at www. nmlegis.gov.