Feb. 26, 2025
House Sends Budget to Senate
On Monday the House gave approval to a $10.8 billion budget and sent it on to the Senate where it will undergo great scrutiny in the Senate Finance Committee. It didn’t get out of the House without lots of fireworks and the full three hours of allowable debate. Republicans, uncomfortable with the level of spending included in the bill even went to a Hail Mary amendment that would have given every resident a $600 dividend. That idea was quickly shot down by Democrats. In the end the bill advanced on a 50-18 mostly party-line vote. The proposal would be approximately a 6 % increase over the previous year.
Liquor Tax Bill Sent to Senate
A measure to increase liquor taxes by an additional 6% was passed along to the House Floor on Monday, where it awaits a hearing. The bill didn’t move before House Republicans had managed to dilute its language. Amendments to exempt wine growers, distillers and brewers was approved but an amendment to include restaurants failed. The bill passed the House Taxation and Revenue Committee by a 6-4 vote. It is sure to face more fireworks on the House Floor as similar bills have in previous years.
Climate Change Bills Go 1-1
SB48 created lots of excitement Tuesday on the Senate Floor as it passed to the House on a 23-15. The measure would create a fund communities can tap into to finance projects that would go to reduce the effects of climate change. Proponents say the measure will grow jobs in the state and improve infrastructure. Opponents say it will cripple the oil and gas industry, which fuels the state’s economy. Republicans battled the bill with multiple efforts at amending the bill, even one by east-side Sen. Pat Woods that would have required many state department officials, including the governor to drive electric vehicles. He later withdrew the amendment but left the Chamber with a warning. “Not many people [currently serving in the Legislature] was in the Legislature the last time oil broke,” said Woods, R-Broadview. “It would probably have been better if more of them were in the chamber at that point in time. I can remember it. I can remember all the school districts hollering at me that they swept all their surpluses.” On Monday the so-called Clear Horizons bill, SB4, was stopped in the Senate Finance Committee on a narrow 6-5 vote. The bill sought to reduce greenhouse gases in New Mexico 45% by 2030, 75% by 2040 and 100% by 2050.
Red Flag Firearm Enhancement Advances to Senate
HB12 updating the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order (Red Flag law) moved to the Senate after three hours of vehement debate this week on the House floor. It was eventually passed on a 41-27 mostly party-line vote.
Governor Says Special Session Very Likely
With this session just past the halfway mark, the Governor told the Albuquerque Chamber at a luncheon Wednesday that she could almost assure New Mexicans that a special session later in the year is almost a certainty once the extent of the Washington Republican administration’s funding cuts are fully understood. She said she feels the legislature will be called back to Santa Fe to help keep hospitals open and fund other federal government funding shortfalls. She also told the group she would likely sign the crime bill package now on her desk on Thursday. Over the weekend a bill addressing behavioral health also made its way to her desk.
