|
The First Session of the 55th Legislature
Wednesday , February 17, 2021
|
|
SENATE BILL THAT WOULD BAN FRACKING WOULD KILL NEW MEXICO’S VITAL OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
SB-149, legislation that calls for a ban on fracking in New Mexico, would be devastating for the state. The legislation would place a four-year moratorium on new permits for fracking. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero. This bill recently passed in the Senate Conservation Committee and now heads to the Judiciary Committee. This bill must be stopped. The oil and gas industry is New Mexico’s biggest and most important industry, providing more than 100,000 jobs and billions in revenue for the state. The industry also contributes more than 40% of the revenues for our state budget. If this bill goes through, New Mexico could lose $1.6 billion next year and billions more into the future.
CALL TO ACTION: Contact Sen. Sedillo Lopez and tell her this bill is just wrong for New Mexico: 505-397-8847.
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero: (505) 986-4248
The Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee is Joseph Cervantes: 575-523-9334
|
|
SENATE ABORTION BILL EXPECTED TO BE HEARD IN HOUSE THIS WEEK
SB-10 is scheduled to be taken up by the House, possibly tomorrow. The legislation would repeal New Mexico’s law that outlaws abortion. It’s a horrible and immoral bill that would allow late-term abortions and no real protections for girls, women or health care professionals.
CALL TO ACTION: Contact Speaker Brian Egolf and tell him to stop this from going through: (505) 986-4782
|
|
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD
A House bill that would legalize recreational marijuana has cleared the Health & Human Services Committee. The panel cleared HB-12 by a vote of 7-4. The bill is the Cannabis Regulation Act and sets a 20% tax rate ceiling. Left-leaning Democrats say New Mexico will collect millions in revenue, but it’s unclear if that’s true. The Republican Party's official position is that it's against this bill. The Party doesn’t think this is the sort of legislation we need right now. With New Mexico last or near last in education, economic opportunity and job growth, why aren’t we dealing with more pressing issues? Legalizing pot would also lead to more crime, underage use and impaired driving. Just ask Colorado, that’s experienced all kinds of problems since it’s legalized marijuana. HB-12 now heads to the Taxation & Revenue Committee.
|
|
DEMOCRATS' VOTES FAVOR TRIAL LAWYERS OVER LOCAL COMMUNITIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NONPROFITS
House Bill 4 has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 39-29. This bill is intended to address civil rights concerns in New Mexico, but the bill will effectively expose every New Mexico government entity for lawsuits.
This legislation will allow New Mexicans to sue governmental agencies in state District Court for perceived infringements on their constitutional rights.
“We are in a building guarded by State Police and National Guard, and this bill is a slap in the face to each and every one of them,” said House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (R-Farmington). “Why would anyone want to be in law enforcement in this state? It has to be difficult for our police to wake up every day to out-of-control crime, and progressive lawmakers who are working overtime to make their jobs and lives miserable.”
“House Bill 4 puts every community and non-profit organization and their board members at great risk for lawsuits,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (R-Artesia). “The only group that has expressed significant support for HB 4 are the trial lawyers, who could have a significant windfall when the bill is enacted.”
|
|
|
2021 ROUNDHOUSE PROFILES: WORKING HARD FOR YOU
|
|
|
SEN. RON GRIGGS
Sen. Griggs is a business owner and serves Doña Ana, Eddy and Otero Counties. He's been a Senator since 2012. Committees: Ranking member of Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs and Tax, Business & Transportation. You can email Sen. Griggs at: [email protected]
|
|
|
REP. WILLIAM "BILL REHM
Rep. Rehm is a retired police officer who lives in Albuquerque. He serves Bernalillo County and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2006. Committees: Judiciary, State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs and Rules & Order of Business. Rep. Rehm's email: [email protected]
|
|
|
REP. MARTIN ZAMORA
Rep. Zamora is a farmer who serves Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt and San Miguel Counties. He's been in the House of Representative since 2019. Committees: Agriculture & Water Resources and State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs. You can email Rep. Zamora at: [email protected]
|
|
CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE NEW MEXICO SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS FACEBOOK PAGES
To go to the NM Senate Republicans Facebook page, click here.
To go to the NM House Republicans Facebook page, click here.
|
|
DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU WILL RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES ON KEY BILLS AND OTHER HAPPENINGS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
|
|
|
LISTEN TO CHAIRMAN PEARCE'S PODCAST
|
|
|
Be sure to catch Inside New Mexico with Steve Pearce each week on your favorite podcast platform. You can subscribe to listen and be notified when a new episode is available.
|
|
|
|
