Roundup at the Roundhouse 012120

Category: NM Legislative Session 2020 NM Legislative Session 2020
Published: 22 January 2020 22 January 2020

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE

ROUNDHOUSE RUMBLE STARTS IN SANTA FE TODAY

The annual Legislative Session began today as state lawmakers look to hammer out a state budget. In her State of the State Address, Gov. Lujan Grisham announced more programs she'd like, but didn't discuss fiscal details. Lujan Grisham has proposed more spending--an 8.5% increase over last year. If that happens, New Mexico's budget would have ballooned more than 20% in two years. The governor's progressive agenda calls for more funding--but from where? She wants free college tuition and a $320 million Early Childhood Trust Fund. No word on where this revenue stream would come from or what must be sacrificed for her to go on a spending spree. By the way, Governor, you can't count on the oil and gas industry to be a constant cash cow down the road.


DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER WANTS A HIATUS IN FRACKING

Oil and gas provide billions to our state and accounts for 40% of the state's revenue. The strong industry helps fund schools and other vital government programs. Now a Democratic state senator wants to take a four-year break from issuing new permits for hydraulic fracturing. Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez of Albuquerque pre-filed a proposal that calls for several state agencies to study the impacts of fracking and recommend new regulations. This failed Congressional candidate from Albuquerque knows nothing about the oil and gas industry. Her proposal would devastate our New Mexico economy and hurt New Mexico teachers, who rely on education funding.

PENSION TENSION

Lawmakers will be wrestling over how to fix New Mexico's pension system. The state has an unfunded liability in the billions. Now Gov. Lujan Grisham wants to increase public employee contributions to repair this broken system. Isn't that great? Workers will have to pay more because Democrats can't fix this years-long mess. It's wrong to take more out of people's pockets to band-aid this pension fiasco.

REPUBLICAN LEADER PROPOSES TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS

House Minority Whip Rod Montoya wants some fiscal common sense--to control spending and get a grip on rising taxes. He's asking for a Constitutional Amendment that would restrict annual spending by state lawmakers and require any future tax increases to be approved by 3/5 majority of both chambers. He's also calling for taxpayers to receive annual rebates after spending limits are met. Finally, a push to get some responsibility in our government.

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA COULD BE A BURNING ISSUE

Gov. Lujan Grisham is supporting a bill to approve recreational marijuana. The Republican Party opposes this. Shouldn't we focus on current drug abuse problems and mental illness first? In addition, it seems likely that such a law would lead to underage use and impaired driving. Meanwhile Democratic Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima has announced his opposition to this proposal. He worries recreational pot would increase crime. Maybe the governor should listen to fellow Democrats about why recreational pot is a bad idea.

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