State of New Mexico
House of Representatives
Ben Lujan, Speaker of the House
Ken Martinez, House Majority Leader
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, House Majority Whip

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release              Contact:  Victoria Chávez 646-241-5335
January 20, 2010                        Bailey Sachs 505-261-2419

Rep. Cote Introduces Ethics Training Legislation

Santa Fe, NM –Rep. Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces) has introduced House Memorial 6 as part of ethics reforms this session.  HM 6 would result in ethics training to government officials and government workers.   Rep. Cote has spoken to former Governor Garrey Carruthers, a member of the Governor’s Ethics Reform Task Force, and New Mexico State University President Barbara Couture about utilizing recent grant money to establish ethics training. 

* Rep. Cote said, “This legislation would result in the design and implementation of an ethics education/training program for public officials to adhere to the public trust and stewardship of the common good of the community.”  He added, “Ethics training should clarify and reinforce the understanding of a person’s ethical compass.  Those of us in public service should always understand and be prepared to do what is right and what is expected of us regardless of the situation we find ourselves.”

The legislation seeks to employ NMSU’s resources and requests that they develop a model course on ethics for public officials which would then become part of their orientation training.  The legislation seeks to require continuing education and orientation as a preventive approach that may prevent elected officers and others who hold positions of public trust from unknowingly making decisions that violate laws, regulations or guidelines or that otherwise may not be in the best interests of the public. 

*Click hyperlinks to view complimentary YouTube video quote. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwUFs8D2mfc