1. RED FLAG BILL TO BE HEARD IN HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY–BUT
DEMOCRATS LIMIT DEBATE
It’s obvious those progressive Democrats are ramrodding the Red Flag bill, SB5, through as quickly as they can. After the Senate passed the bill over the weekend, the House Speaker quickly assigned it to the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee-with just over 24 hours notice before today’s hearing. The legislation is scheduled for debate today at 1:30 in Room 317, and now we’re told that the Committee’s Chair, Rep. Liz Thomson, is limiting debate to 30 minutes per side! What happened to people’s right to testify? As you know, the bill would enable authorities to take away firearms from people they deem dangerous to themselves or others. But this legislation violates Constitutional rights, due process and search and seizure.
“Senate Bill 5 is the most egregious bill that has hit our committee this year. We have a problem with what it is proposing to do. Mainly because it is going to infringe on our first, second, fourth, and fourteenth amendment rights,” said House Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Candy Ezzell (R)-Roswell. “We will not be able to debate [SB 5] because our chairman says we only have thirty-minutes per side to do it. What happens to the people’s voice whenever it is suppressed?“
House Minority Whip Rod Montoya (R)-Farmington spoke out about the bill.
CALL TO ACTION: Let’s get out to the Roundhouse and demand the right to speak up. Call members of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and in particular, Liz Thomson (505) 986-4425 liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov. We can’t let the left-leaning Democrats fast-track the bill this way.
2. GAS TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL COMES TO A SCREECHING HALT
There won’t be more pain at the pumps for a while. Thankfully, a progressive Democrats’ push to nearly triple the state’s gas tax was tabled yesterday. The House Appropriations Committee voted 14-1 against the tax hike. All five Republicans voted against the bill.
3. REPUBLICAN-BACKED CRIME BILLS MOVING FORWARD
It’s about time lawmakers cracked down on our serious crime problem. Late yesterday the House cleared that Republican-sponsored omnibus crime bill package that would stiffen criminal penalties for two gun-related crimes — brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime and being a felon in possession of a gun.
The bill passed 59 to 9.
It’s good to see Republicans paving the way to tackling our serious crime problem.
4. PENSION TENSION: LEGISLATION TO OVERHAUL SYSTEM
CLEARS COMMITTEE
An effort to fix the broken state pension system met with opposition as the Senate Finance Committee voted 10-2 in favor of Senate Bill 72. The legislation would freeze many retirees’ annual cost-of-living adjustments for a two-year period and then move to a “profit-sharing” model. The bill also calls for local and state employees to increase contributions into the system. This is sad that progressive Democrats are again trying to repair their unfunded liability by burdening New Mexico taxpayers. Hard-working employees again paying the price for pension troubles.
The bill heads to the full Senate.
ROUNDHOUSE PROFILES: WORKING HARD FOR YOU
Rep. Martin Zamora, a farmer, lives in Clovis and represents Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt and San Miguel Counties.
Committees: Agriculture & Water Resources, State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs
Email: martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov
Sen. Ron Griggs lives in Alamogordo and represents Doña Ana, Eddy and Otero Counties. Sen. Griggs is a business owner and has been in the Senate since 2013.
