A discussion of recent developments around an ethics commission and what disclosure and transparency of political contributions mean for the business community.  Many in business have come to see these issues as essential to the proper functioning of a democracy, just as they are essential to the proper functioning of a free and competitive economy.
 
Speakers Include:
 
Michael J. Petro, Executive Vice President of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), a nonpartisan business led public policy organization comprised 180 senior executives of the Fortune 500 and above.  Mr. Petro will give a national perspective on the growing movement toward business' embrace of disclosure of political contributions.  CED has sponsored several polls nationally and in New Mexico on business attitudes toward disclosure.  Mr. Petro will also discuss the findings of CED's Crony Capitalism study.
 
Brian Sanderoff, President of Research and Polling Inc, also serves as the pollster for the Albuquerque Journal and regularly comments on public policy and the political environment.  He has made numerous appearances on such shows as MSNBC, CNN, Fox, BBC and The Jim Lehrer News Hour.  Mr. Sanderoff will comment on business attitudes around disclosure and the current policy climate.