Roundup at the Roundhouse 021622

Category: NM Legislative Session 2022 NM Legislative Session 2022
Published: 16 February 2022 16 February 2022

Wednesday, February 16, 2022
WHAT'S HAPPENING

Today is the final full day of the legislative session. The session concludes tomorrow at noon.

VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION RETURNED IN HOUSE AFTER IMPASSE IN SENATE

The House last night resurrected parts of a voting rights bill after the measure was deadlocked in the Senate. House Democrats responded with their own procedural move combining parts of three election bills – including SB 8 – into SB 144.

The new version of the bill calls for developing a permanent absentee voter list, restoring voting rights of people convicted of a felony when they leave incarceration rather than requiring them to complete probation or parole and directing each county to offer two secured and monitored drop boxes for absentee ballots returned by voters.

This revised legislation would still lessen ballot security and poses all kinds of problems. It could open the door to fraud. The drop box plan can lead to ballot harvesting and a permanent absentee voter list doesn't make sense—what if people move or pass away? What guarantees are there that this list will be updated and correct? This bill is a real problem when it comes to establishing fair elections. Democrats, however, tout it as a way to expand voting rights.


NEW MEXICO BUDGET BATTLE BREWS

The House has rejected the Senate's amendments to the House version of the proposed $8.4 billion annual budget. The spending plan is the largest in state history and a nearly 14% increase from a year ago. Amendments approved by the Senate on Monday would increase the spending plan proposed by the House by nearly $142 million in nonrecurring expenses and $11.1 million in ongoing costs. The budget is now expected to go to a conference committee to try to hammer out agreements.

SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO CAP LOAN INTEREST RATES

The Senate has approved HB 132 that lowers the annual interest rate cap charged by so-called storefront lenders from 175% to 36%. If signed into law, it would allow companies offering small loans to charge a fee of up to 5% on loans of $500 or less. It applies to loans of up to $10,000. There's a real concern, however, that lowering this cap could drive companies out of business and employees would lose their jobs. If this becomes law, it could hurt New Mexicans and the business community.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE WEBSITE:

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