Roosevelt County Chamber’s
March 16, 2021
Time flying by and out the window
As efforts to control time by passing a bill to end daylight saving time went out the window this week time relentlessly ticked down on New Mexico legislators attempts to ram more legislation through. Despite the way things seemed to be flying through committees early in the session, movement on lots of important items have ground to a halt this week. Legalization of cannabis was among those things that after looking certain to finally pass this year could run short of time. Too many details, too many pages and still two bills to somehow combine. The public banking bill that appeared to be on fire got sent to another committee where its almost sure not to get another hearing because of lack of time and the intense debate it spurred. Sen. Stuart Ingle says the public is safest when the legislature is not in session. We’re praying that noon Saturday gets here soon.
Sick leave bill catches a cold
HB20, the measure that would mandate sick leave appeared poised to sail the rest of the way to the Governor’s desk was sent from the floor back to Senate Judiciary where it was amended to include governmental employees. The extra cost may tighten the vote back in the Senate but it will probably still get passed. Question is, would the Governor sign it with those government budget impacts attached? The committee also stripped out provisions for an additional 80 days paid leave for a public health emergency.
Permanent fund ante raised
With things already going their way on a measure to increase the rate of withdrawal from the permanent fund in order to support further early childhood programs, supporters grabbed for more. The measure, which has failed in the Senate for years, this year asked that the rate of withdrawal be increased by 1%. That rate was amended on its last scheduled committee today, asking for 1.25% instead. Many investment experts have told us over the years that the current 5% is most prudent and allows the fund to grow at a rate that is very healthy. Supporters of the bill have maintained that we have lots of money in the fund and should use it for a pressing need.
Civil rights bill slows on Senate floor
After a contentious time in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where a tie had to be broken by the committee chair, HB4 could languish on the floor some believe. We don’t know if that is right but we know it will be bloody and time consuming if it comes up on the schedule in the final days. We opposed this bill with a resolution from our Chamber board because of the potential it has to impact the budgets of our local governments.
Roundhouse remains a fort
I doubt that anyone will recall this session by the phrase “Remember the Roundhouse,” but the place still looks and feels a little like the Alamo. After the incursion on the U.S. Capitol in January fencing, extra security and National Guard troops were employed to protect the Roundhouse and insure the people couldn’t access the people’s house. The price tag for all this so far is $700,000 and counting. The most violent thing to happen in Santa Fe in the last year was when demonstrators took down the obelisk on the plaza last summer. Seems like that money could have been better spent.
