Feb. 19, 2025
Minimum Wage Bill Clears House
A proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage to $17 an hour and have it indexed to the Consumer Price Index advanced last week by a 6-4 party-line vote in the House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee. The bill is still waiting in the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.
Paid Family Medical Leave Set For Debate
Another bill important to business is HB 11 the Paid Family & Medical Leave Act is scheduled to be heard in its second committee on Friday in the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee. Send comments to members of that committee by looking them up on nmlegis.gov and watch the hearing online if you’re not in Santa Fe.
Bill to Re-establish State School Board Debated Later This Week
SJR3 that would re-establish a state school board and do away with the cabinet position of Secretary of Education is scheduled to be before the Senate Education Committee on Friday. Backers of the resolution, which if passed would go before the voters, seek to end the revolving door in that post. Since 2003 there have been eight people in the position not including interim positions.
HB417 Seeks Six Percent Tax Increase on Booze
A bill that would increase liquor tax by 6% across the board for all types of liquor and all types of retail operations passed its first House committee on Wednesday by a party-line 6-4 vote. Sponsors of the bill say the tax increase is designed to decrease alcohol consumption in a state where alcoholism is rampant. Funds derived from the tax would go toward alcohol abuse prevention programs. Retailers say the tax wouldn’t have the intended effect and the increase is too high.
Legislators Salary Bill Dies in Committee
An oft debated proposal to begin paying a salary to state lawmakers died another death Tuesday as the Senate Finance Committee deadlocked in a 5-5 vote on the measure. Committee Chair Rep. George Munoz, D. Farmington voted with Republicans to kill the bill.
Bill to Eliminate Personal Income Tax Dies
Another frequent flyer at the Roundhouse, a bill to do away with the state income tax also died in House committee Monday. The Republican sponsor admitted it hadn’t stood much chance but he wanted to get it out there to have the debate.
Crime Package and Behavioral Health Bills on Last Lap
A package of six crime bills passed a key Senate Committee by a 7-1 margin and was sent to the Senate floor, it’s last stop before the Governor’s desk. Likewise a bill reshaping how the state utilizes the behavioral health system passed its last committee by 8-0 margin and was sent to the House floor. Legislative leaders had vowed before the session that substantial crime and behavioral health bills would be on the Governor’s desk by the mid-point of the session. Looks like that might nearly happen.
