Roosevelt County Chamber’s
Legislative Report
March 23, 2019
Legislators report at Chamber luncheon
Four of the legislators from the Eastern Plains spoke to a packed crowd Thursday at the Yam Theatre. Rep. Randy Crowder, Rep. Martin Zamora, Sen. Pat Woods and Sen. Stuart Ingle each talked briefly about what happened during the session, then stood for questions from the crowd.
The four Republicans expressed a bit of helplessness in a session that had both Houses and the Governor’s office controlled by Democrats. They felt good about what had been accomplished for the local area and for education.
Crowder said he was very concerned that the $7.1 billion budget the legislature passed would be unsustainable. He said he felt recurring expenses like raises might outrun budgets in future years.
Sen. Ingle said he was pleased with the 16 percent increase given to Public Education. He said he felt that it would go a long ways toward satisfying the lawsuit filed agains the state for not providing an adequate education to underserved children in the state. He noted that Higher Education would also get a 4.3 percent increase.
As far as the gun control measure passed and now signed by the Governor, Ingle said it was a “toothless giant.” He said it was very much unenforceable.
Woods said he was very happy that the bill seeking repeal of existing abortion law had failed to get passed by the Senate.
Zamora said he had learned a lot very quickly, eventhough he was not a stranger to the halls of the Roundhouse. He said he was excited to continue to work for the east side of the state.
