By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez proposes tougher penalties against corruption in government.
Martinez said Wednesday government officials should be prohibited from ever holding elective office if they are convicted of violating the public trust.
She said public employees and elected officials convicted of corruption also should lose their government pensions.
Martinez proposed a lifetime ban on contractors and lobbyists from doing business with the state if they are convicted of corruption. Martinez is the Dona Ana County district attorney and has made fighting corruption a centerpiece of her campaign.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Diane Denish also advocates ethics law changes. She has called for the creation of an independent ethics commission to investigate complaints of alleged misconduct by state officials, lobbyists and government contractors.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.