SANTA FE - Two state senators who want to remove Gov. Susana Martinez from the State Investment Council say they are optimistic the change will occur this year, her first in office.

The Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously Monday for a bill to oust the governor from the council.

More important, Martinez herself says she agrees that no politician should be managing investments on behalf of the taxpaying public.

"The governor supports removing all politicians from the State Investment Council, and requiring that those appointed to serve in their place meet the minimum qualifications of having at least 10 years of professional investing experience," Martinez's spokesman said in a statement to Texas New Mexico Newspapers.

Sens. Steven Neville, R-Aztec, and Timothy Keller, D-Albuquerque, are sponsoring the bill to reform the council, starting with the governor's removal.

"This isn't about Susana," Neville said.

Rather, he said, the intent is to professionalize a part of state government that has performed poorly.

Keller called the governor's stance "very enlightened" and in accordance with her campaign promise to depoliticize the investment council.

He said cronyism and "pet projects" defined the investment council under former governor Bill Richardson, a Democrat.

If the senators' bill is approved, Martinez would be off the council but make three appointments to it. In addition, her cabinet secretary for finance would be a member.

State legislators

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would also make four appointments to the council, two by the House and two by the Senate. Expertise in the financial markets would be requisite for any nominee, Keller said.

Santa Fe Bureau Chief Milan Simonich can be reached at msimonich@tnmnp.com or (505) 820-6898. His blog is at http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/newmexico