Ethics Bill on to Senate Floor

On to Senate Floor- Previously Vetoed Whistle Blower Ethics Bill
Passed Senate Judiciary Unanimously Tonight

SB 96---Whistleblower Protection Act
Sponsored by Senator Sue Wilson-Beffort

Santa Fe—The New Mexico State Senate Judiciary Committee passed an ethics bill that had been previously vetoed by Governor Bill Richardson. SB 96- Whistleblower Protection Act now heads to the Senate Floor. According to its sponsor, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, the governor vetoed a similar bill that would have protected public employees who uncover and reveal illegal activity. Since that time, the state continued to be rocked by scandals of alleged illegal activity. Senator Wilson Beffort said she hopes the public has had enough of the scandals and tells the governor not to veto her whistle blower ethics bill if it passes the legislature.

Senator Wilson Beffort said SB 96 is to protect public employees who report illegal and unethical conduct is critical for ethics reform. She said those who retaliate would face money damages, in addition to any criminal charges they would face based on the illegal conduct that was reported.