Senator John Ryan

Can be Introduced! Bill to Cut Political Hires and Bill to Fight Fraud

Senator Ryan’s videotaped comments on: www.newmexicorepublicansenators.blogspot.com
SB 127, SB 220

Santa Fe- Two of Senator John Ryan’s bills made it through their first Senate Hurdle today. The Committees Committee approved that the two bills are germane and can be debated this session. Both are designed to save the state millions.


State Senator John Ryan (R-Bernalillo-10) wants to stop the state from having to pay to defend state employees who are being sued for fraud or other government wrongdoing on the job when it is the state that is also involved in pressing the charges. The bill would involve employees of the State Investment Council.

Senator Ryan has introduced Senate Bill 220 in reaction to the high-profile whistleblower case of Foy v. Vanderbilt lawsuit. In that case, the state’s risk management division is paying to defend state employees the state itself has an interest in suing for alleged fraud. According to news reports, that lawsuit alleges the former state investment officer and other state employees were instructed to make investments in exchange for political contributions.

Senator Ryan’s SB 127- Limit Employees in the Executive Branch can also be debated this session. Senator Ryan is still fighting to limit the number of political hires a governor can have in an administration.

Senator Ryan says the limit on political hires will reduce the size of state government and the budget. He believes his bill should be considered pertinent or “germane” to this budget-related session. It will be presented to the Committees Committee Thursday for its permission to be debated this session.

“The number of political hires is out of control. The legislature has oversight authority and needs to get a handle on how many political hires a governor can have in an administration,” Senator John Ryan said today. “There needs to be a limit on the number, otherwise our state budgets will continue to grow and grow without the legislature’s consent. It is a budget issue. It is a clear balance of power issue.”