Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce

by Karl Terry

New Sheriff in Town
There’s a new sheriff on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse and she hasn’t been shy about taking charge. The Michelle Lujan Grisham or MLG (according to gallery chants) era began at high noon Tuesday in Santa Fe. The first thing that happened was a gun check of those entering the gallery for the newly elected Governor’s State of the State Address. While the Capitol Building has been open to open-carry and permitted conceal-carry of weapons in the past this year’s visitors planning on attending joint sessions of the legislature will be asked to leave their guns outside in their saddlebags or go to a remote viewing area to observe. Weapons will still be allowed elsewhere in the Roundhouse. Gun rights advocates already had their guard up in this didn’t exactly put them at ease.

Budget proposals are eye-popping
The Sheriff, I mean Governor, has proposed a budget of $7.1 billion, which is an increase of about 13 percent over last year. Her budget would take full advantage of new money supplied by oil and gas revenue windfalls estimated at over $1 billion. Legislative committee budget proposals in the now Democrat controlled house and Senate are not much lower with those proposals coming in at close to 11 percent. Republican lawmakers have urged restraint saying that overspending surpluses from oil and gas could lead to another session of drastic budget cuts, especially in education if oil and gas prices decrease again.

What to watch for
Things that are on the radar early are the possiblity for recreatiional marijuna legislation to actually make it to the Governor’s desk. Currently the Governor is not endorsing legislation to that end but she’s said if it did land on her desk she would sign it.

Public education funding is going to go up after a lawsuit mandates the legislature to make improvements. Besides teacher salaries, money could go to more early childhood education funding more school days (maybe an additional 10 days) and other measures. With the Governor ordering an end to PARCC testing that has been controversial because of the ways it is used in evaluating teachers we also need to look out for what type of state testing might replace it and what it will cost.

Crime legislation will also be highlighted with crime rates skyrocketing in Albuquerque. What’s good there may not be good everywhere.

Of great importance to business, several bills calling for an increase in the minimum wage of $7.50 have already been filed and the Governor declared in the State of the State that she wanted $10 this year and $12 an hour in coming years. Some of the legislation filed could rapidly escalate the minimum wage to $15 and beyond and do away with lower minimum wages for tipped employees.

New lawmakers on board
While Democrats made big gains in seats statewide, Roosevelt County actually added one net Republican among lawmakers representing its citizens. The deck for Roosevelt County in the House was completely redealt, however. Republican Martin Zamora of Clovis replaces Democrat George Dodge in Representative District 63 after a closely contested race that went to recount. Republican Phelps Anderson of Roswell replace Republican Bob Wooley, also of Roswell in Representative District 66. Finally, Republican Jack Chatfield of Mosquero, replaces Republican Dennis Roch of Logan in District 67. Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle remains as the county’s legislative voice in the Senate chambers. You can meet all these new folks and hear from other east-side legislators and office-holders at the Roosevelt-Curry County Chambers’ Legislative Appreciation Dinner Monday, Jan. 28 at Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe. For details hit this link https://www.portales.com/events/details/legislative-appreciation-dinner-2019-3151

Keep us posted
If you have legislation you’re watching or need to get the word out about of interest to our Chamber membership, please drop us an email so we can talk about it here. We’ll be trying to get updates posted weekly on Wednesdays during the 60-day session. Email us at karlterry@yucca.net