Many of you know about some of the higher profile bills the Democrats have been pushing through our state legislature; legalizing late term abortions; largest tax increase in history; anti-mining bills; anti-2nd amendment bills. But the liberals in the Democrat party are pushing even more rights infringing or self-enriching legislation this session.

Democrats have introduced House Joint Resolution 5 which will amend Article 4 of the NM Constitution deleting the per diem and mileage payments received by elected officials while in the course of discharging official duties. The commission will establish a rate of compensation for these officials every odd year. Notice that the commission is not being established to study the feasibility, pros/cons, or alternatives to the current system; it is being established solely to determine the rate of pay. How about increasing the per diem reimbursement if it is not enough? It will not remove the temptation to line one’s pockets with campaign donations or sweetheart deals from donors. It will create a permanent class of professional politicians and will lead to longer sessions. This is a bad step, but how about we add an amendment that says any legislator currently holding office when this bill was introduced and when it is passed is not eligible to receive a salary?

House Republicans introduced and voted unanimously to pass HB131. This bill would increase reporting requirements for lobbyists especially during the session. It would also prohibit lobbyists from spending ANY money on legislators during the session. No fancy dinners, parties, meals, etc. It did get some support from Democrats, but that’s because they know it will not pass the Senate and even if it did, the Governor will not sign it.

House Republicans introduced a budget proposal that increased spending on the state’s schools (remember Lujan Grisham reneged on a promise to increase teacher’s salaries); increased funding for road repairs; and gave every NM citizen a $200 rebate. Every Democrat voted against the measures, but you’ll be glad to know that they voted to give the movie industry tons of tax breaks and incentives to continue filming in NM.

Ten counties in NM have passed Right to Work ordinances that prohibit mandatory union membership and payment of dues. Democrats introduced and passed through the House, HB85, which will overrule the citizens of those counties. Study after study has shown that counties, states or municipalities with RTW laws have higher employment, higher wages, and more industry. Apparently, we citizens aren’t paying the politicians in Santa Fe as much as the unions have been.

Democrats unanimously supported HB84 that will not require people to prove they are NM citizens in order to vote in our elections. During a late night 'debate' Democrats could not answer how the integrity of our voting systems could be maintained and ensure that only NM citizens vote in our elections. Republicans introduced several measures proven to limit fraud in the voting process, but each was unanimously defeated by the Democrats, claiming voter fraud in NM is 'rare.'

These are just a few of the measures that our representatives are pushing through the legislative process. Maybe some won’t pass and become law, but the fact that they are being introduced is just the start. They will be brought forth again in future sessions and will eventually become law.

Part of the problem is that some of our local representatives are not speaking out against those bills that will clearly hurt our economy. The excuse that the bills won’t pass as a reason for their silence is a cop out. It is also tantamount to supporting those bills because they know these bills will come back. Many of you now know where their loyalty lies. Welcome to the club.