The Democratic-led New Mexico State Legislature will tackle issues such as public safety reform, gun control, housing construction and leveraging incentives to create new solutions to climate change, as lawmakers conclude their 30-day annual session on Thursday. Some of the governor’s key priorities were realized. .
Lujan Grisham has banned some guns at polling places, extended the waiting period for gun purchases by seven days, and extended bail to defendants charged with new crimes while already awaiting trial. He praised three public safety bills that would give judges additional opportunities to veto. felony.
But she also offered a grim assessment of violent crime across the state, citing last week’s stabbing of a Las Cruces patrol officer by a man with a criminal history and mental illness.
New Mexico House rejects expanded paid family leave, considers political deepfakes regulations
“I want to say to New Mexicans, we don’t feel safe outside,” Lujan Grisham said at a news conference, adding that she may recall lawmakers to the Capitol to discuss public safety efforts. I warned you. “And I don’t think they feel safe there because horrible things happen every day.”
Congress increased penalties for second-degree murder, but a long list of gun control and public safety bills stalled.
With general elections scheduled for November, House Republican Leader T. Ryan Lane of Aztec said Republicans will aggressively defend gun rights while also pursuing public safety initiatives. He said he is doing so.
“Guns aren’t the problem,” he said. “Our problem in New Mexico is much more fundamental.”
Last year, Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency over gun violence, and after a spate of deadly school shootings in the greater Albuquerque area, guns were opened at some parks and playgrounds in the area. The right to carry has been suspended.
Lawmakers developed an annual budget plan to curb spending increases tied to the oil boom in the Permian Basin, which overlaps parts of southeastern New Mexico and Texas.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the New Mexico State House in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lawmakers are rushing to pass the bill before the end of the 30-day legislative session. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
The budget passed on Tuesday uses a large portion of the multibillion-dollar General Fund surplus in a series of packages aimed at preserving debt-free spending on roads and future spending if global oil demand slumps. The contents are to be poured into a trust account.
A new $960 million trust strengthens Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s long-standing campaign to guarantee tuition-free college to residents.
The new $75 million trust will help state and local governments compete for increased federal infrastructure spending from the Inflation Control Act, the signature climate, health care and tax policy of the Biden administration.
“We need to give President Biden a lot of credit for infrastructure projects, and Congress has stepped up to match the funding,” Democratic House Minority Leader Gail Chasey said.
But lawmakers also scaled back the governor’s spending request to fund housing construction and narrowly rejected proposals for paid family and medical leave.
Lane called the failure of the paid leave bill “a wake-up call.” House Republicans joined 11 Democrats in voting Wednesday to reject the bill 34-36.
“I think the fact that that bill came to a screeching halt in the House sends a huge message,” Lane said. “There is no flexibility for employers or employees who do not want to participate in the scheme.”
New Mexico lawmakers are considering whether to regulate artificial intelligence in the creation of political ads, sending a bill to the governor that would require disclaimers on campaign ads featuring “deepfake” images, audio and video. The bill does not prohibit such advertising.
New Mexico officials approve bill to reduce vehicle emissions by 20% by 2030
Lawmakers balked at a proposal to make it a crime to impersonate a fake presidential elector and never brought the bill to a floor vote. New Mexico is one of the few states in 2020 where Republicans signed a certification falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner.
In the area of climate change and energy, lawmakers passed legislation aimed at reducing climate-warming pollution from cars and trucks through incentives that reward companies that produce cleaner fuels. Similar low-carbon fuel standards are already in place in California, Oregon, and Washington. Lujan Grisham has indicated she intends to sign the bill.
The climate-friendly provisions are included in the tax cut package negotiated by Democratic state Rep. Derrick Lente, which lowers personal income tax rates across the income spectrum and also increases tax rates on investment income. This bill provides refundable credits for the purchase of new or used plug-in electric vehicles and home vehicle charging equipment.
“Today we are cutting taxes for all New Mexicans, providing the largest tax breaks to the lowest and middle income earners and ensuring that the highest earners pay their fair share,” Lente said at a news conference. “We have reduced the capital gains tax deduction.”
Lujan Grisham praised the tax cut bill, which will reduce the state’s annual revenue by about $220 million. Last year, she vetoed much of the $1 billion tax cut, saying it would hurt the state’s finances.
The new budget would increase General Fund spending by $653 million, or 6.8 percent, to $10.2 billion for the fiscal year that begins in July. This spending increase is only a fraction of the $3.5 billion general fund surplus expected over the same period.
Roads, local hospitals, public schools, housing policy and Medicaid feature heavily in the spending plan, which also includes 3% raises across state governments, K-12 schools and public universities.
The bill includes funding from settlements with opioid manufacturers and pharmacies to better coordinate services for infants exposed to illicit drugs before birth.
Most New Mexico families whose infants were exposed to illicit drugs, marijuana or alcohol in the womb have become dependent on the subsidy since the state changed its policy in 2020 to end automatic referrals to protective services. are not accessing medical treatment or other voluntary support services.
Lujan Grisham can veto any provision of the budget, but cannot add spending. The governor has until March 6 to sign the bill. A “pocket veto” applies to unsigned bills.
Lujan Grisham applauded the passage of $125 million for the Housing Accelerator Loan Fund and the passage of related legislation that expands the New Mexico Financial Services Authority’s mission to include housing construction.
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The governor plans to develop strategic new water sources for industry by buying and selling water extracted from ancient saline underground aquifers and recycled water from oil field waste. I could not find any solid basis for the proposal.
