Meaningful improvements that would strengthen protections were omitted from O-26-41.
Albuquerque, NM – The City Council's Finance and Government Operations Committee voted 4-1 on Monday to advance updates to the Whistleblower Ordinance, O-26-41, without adopting amendments aimed at strengthening anti-retaliation safeguards, confidentiality protections, reporting protections, and oversight measures. District 1 City Councilor Stephanie W. Telles cast the sole vote against advancing the ordinance because those amendments were not included.
None of Councilor Telles’ proposed amendments received a second, preventing committee discussion on measures designed to strengthen whistleblower protections and government accountability.
"Whistleblower protections are only effective if employees trust that they will actually protect them when it matters most," said Councilor Stephanie Telles. "I voted against advancing this ordinance because meaningful improvements to strengthen those protections were not included or even given the opportunity for discussion. The City's employees and the public they serve deserve a system that encourages people to come forward without fear of retaliation."
Councilor Telles has extensive experience with whistleblower protections, including developing whistleblower guidance for the State of New Mexico. Prior to the committee hearing, she made good-faith efforts to work with the ordinance sponsor to develop a unified proposal that combined procedural...
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