Roundup at the Roundhouse 021522

Category: NM Legislative Session 2022 NM Legislative Session 2022
Published: 15 February 2022 15 February 2022

Tuesday, February 15, 2022
WHAT'S HAPPENING

SENATE APPROVES STATE SPENDING PLAN

The state Senate has passed an $8.48 billion general fund spending plan. The vote was 37-3. The state budget is for the fiscal year starting on July 1. It’s a 14% increase over current-year spending. It includes raises for teachers, state police officers and other government employees and many more items. The bill is headed back to the House for concurrence because of changes made in the Senate. While there are many good items in this spending plan, again Democrats are enjoying more spending. It’s always uncertain how sustainable expanding budgets will be.

Meanwhile, the House voted 59-9 in favor of a Democrat-sponsored tax relief package worth $385 million in its first year. Senate lawmakers are advancing their own tax-cut proposal with many similarities.

The House proposal would eliminate taxes on Social Security income for middle-income earners, provide parents with an annual credit or rebate of up to $175 per child, give a $1,000 credit to full-time local hospital nurses and slightly reduce the rate of the state gross receipts tax on retail sales and business services.

REPUBLICAN BILL THAT WOULD HELP PREVENT ROLLING BLACKOUTS TABLED

A Republican effort that among other objectives would keep the San Juan Generating Station open longer was nixed by Democrats. The legislation would have prevented blackouts, saved jobs and kept utility rates affordable.

“New Mexicans are simply asking to continue to count on their electricity and for it to remain affordable,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (R-Artesia). “The crisis is coming, and I am very disappointed that our colleagues have decided to ignore this looming power blackout crisis.”

“We cannot simply allow our jobs to be taken away, and power blackouts to run rampant when we have a viable option on the table,” said House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (R-Farmington). “We received tri-partisan support for addressing this issue and New Mexicans deserve to have at minimum expectation that their power will remain reliable and affordable.”

It seems Democrats like the idea of rolling blackouts this summer.

“ANTI-CRIME” PACKAGE MOVES THROUGH SENATE COMMITTEE

A legislative committee has cleared a crime package, but it hardly tackles the serious crisis we are facing. The legislation, SB 231, focuses on law enforcement retention, training and hiring practices – rather than stiffer criminal penalties for criminals. The bill would also add three judges and make grants available for strengthening the supervision of criminal defendants who are released while they await trial. The Senate Judiciary Committee cleared the proposal. This is hardly a bold move to crack down on crime. New Mexico Democrats promised to address our soaring crime rate, record murders and weak penalties..

DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKER CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED DRUNKEN DRIVING--REP. LOUIS MUST RESIGN

RPNM is calling on Rep. Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque) to resign from her District 26 NM House seat after she was arrested and charged with aggravated drunken driving. Rep. Louis also faces charges of speeding and failing to produce vehicle registration and insurance.

The DWI charges come as lawmakers look to wrap up important bills and business during these final days of the 2022 legislative session.

“Rep. Louis should do the right thing and resign from her House seat," said RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce. "She faces criminal charges, and this kind of behavior does not coincide with that of a responsible public servant. Rep. Louis has violated the public trust, let down her constituents and endangered the lives of innocents. New Mexico deserves better. Aggravated drunken driving is a serious offense, and Rep. Louis must step down."

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE WEBSITE:

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