Roosevelt County Chamber’s

Feb. 8, 2022

Teacher pay increase passes Senate
The State Senate struck a blow for increased teacher compensation Monday when it unanimously approved SB1 that will raise the entry-level pay for teachers in the state by $10,000 to $50,000. This is separate from an effort that would give all teachers a 7 percent raise. Republicans had showed an early resistance because of the recurring cost. In the end teacher pay was a issue that was going to get debate but in the end would pass with acclaim. We agree with Rio Rancho Republican Craig Brandt who added as the debate was winding down that we didn’t just need to pay teachers more we need to make sure results improve too.

Hydrogen and pretrial detention likely dead
The ill-fated pre-trial detention bill supported by the Governor has probably hit it’s final rock in the turbulent waters of this session. The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee tabled the measure on a 5-3 vote. The bill had been submerged from the moment it launched with some saying it could even be unconstitutional.

House Democrats attempted to resurrect another of the Governor’s signature bills early this week but didn’t get far as Speaker Brian Egolf took the unusual act of placing the bill on the Speaker’s Desk. It could be brought back to the floor later or remain there. Egolf said Monday it would remain there.

Weather station bill advances
Rep. Martin Zamora’s bill to add more weather stations to the system of weather data collection points that NMSU administrates. The House Agriculture, Acequias and Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed HB 108, which would provide a one-time expenditure of $2.8 million to improve the system. Zamora has pushed the bill for two years to improve data needed by ranchers and farmers to qualify for programs such as disaster aid from federal government.

Licensure bill also advances
A bill that would ease the burden of state licensure for professionals new to the state, HB191, passed the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The bill has been tracked locally because of its impact on spouses and other family members of military families.

Red alert on two bad bills
The Clean Fuels Act bill, SB14, passed the full Senate and is headed to House hearings soon. Opponents of the bill say its increased regulatory oversight will stifle the oil and gas industry and raise prices that everyone, including lower incomes would pay for motor vehicle fuel. The target of the bill is to reduce green house gas emitted in the state in line with legislation passed last year setting deadlines for the state to be carbon free.

The other bill that appears to be rolling fast is Elections Reform Bill that would make numerous changes to voting laws. SB8 would automatically send out mail ballots to all registered voters, whether they requested one or not. It would also change the way rolls are purged, lower the voting age, allow someone to register without a state ID and automatically register someone completing a MVD transaction. The bill passed the Senate Rules Committee this week.

Quote from Santa Fe
This one’s a little old but it’s good one swiped from the Santa Fe New Mexican’s “Quote of the Day. “Well, it’s Groundhog Day again. And how do we know it’s Groundhog Day? Because we’re doing another secretary of education confirmation.” — Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, referring to the confirmation of Kurt Steinhaus, the third public education Cabinet secretary under the administration of Lujan Grisham.