Op-Ed by Rep. Rod Montoya
The opening weeks of the 2019 Legislative session have proven just how out-of-touch Democrats are with the people they’re supposed to represent. They are so committed to their radical agenda that they are breaking the rules to impose it.
Before the legislative session even began, Governor Lujan-Grisham presented an unsustainable budget proposal, growing government spending to outrageous levels. The recurring budget she submitted is a 12.7% increase—more than Governor Martinez increased spending in eight years! This irresponsible proposal is only slightly worse than that of the Democrats in the legislature who are proposing a 10.6% year-over-year increase.
The restraint of Governor Martinez, along with once in a lifetime oil and gas revenues, have delivered a surplus of $1.2 billion dollars. This surplus has unleashed the largest shopping spree in our state’s history. In fact, the Governor is demanding a budget increase of near 40% for her own budget, but even that is not enough to satisfy the Democrats.
Imagine if you won the lottery and planned your budget as if you were going to win every year. In order to continue to bankroll their out-of-touch spending, Democrats are going to answer their lottery problem with TAX INCREASES! From increasing the price of gas by 10 cents a gallon which is particularly hard on the poor, to raising the income tax by 33% on middle class families—when all is said and done, tax increases proposed by Democrats will cost New Mexicans well over $300 million moving forward.
Again, New Mexico has a $1.2 billion budget surplus! How on earth can they justify raising your taxes under these circumstances?
If irresponsible spending wasn’t enough, New Mexico’s Democrats are in the process of stripping your 2nd Amendment rights. At the same time, they are fighting to make sure felons can vote. If you don’t get involved soon, Democrats will strip the rights of law abiding citizens and grant voting rights to the most dangerous criminals in New Mexico.
Most New Mexicans have expressed shock about New York making abortion legal up to the moment of birth. The reality is New Mexico has been doing this for years and we are now set to strip away the conscience rights of doctors and hospitals who refuse to participate in/or offer abortions. Even worse, abortion providers will no longer be held criminally accountable for coerced abortions, which are especially prevalent in domestic violence cases and sex trafficking.
These misplaced priorities do not reflect the citizens we are supposed to represent, but the fact that Democrats are breaking the rules to impose their agenda makes it so much worse.
The legislature’s rules, procedures, and processes likely don’t make sense to most people. However, one rule that everyone can understand is that legislators who have opposing ideas have the right to ask questions. Democrats are so intent on forcing this radical agenda that questions from Republicans are considered a “waste of time.” Not only is it against the rules of the Roundhouse, it’s against the rules of common sense.
Despite these obstacles, we will continue to do all we can to make sure those we represent have a voice. The power of the majority should not be absolute.
Our new “rulers” are mistaken if they think that New Mexicans will not hold them accountable.