Editorials

By: Rep. Jared Hembree (R-Roswell)

New Mexico is fortunate to have millions of acres of state trust lands that generate billions of dollars to benefit our schools, universities, hospitals, and other public institutions. The State Land Office currently manages 9 million acres of surface real estate and 13 million mineral acres of trust land which generated $2 billion in Fiscal Year 2022. The most significant revenue source has been through leases for oil and natural gas development. The State Land Commissioner --- who directs the State Land Office -- has a fiduciary responsibility to manage the trust lands in a manner that maximizes the financial return for the many beneficiaries that are guaranteed to receive a specific portion of the revenues.

By Rebecca Dow

In 2023, the Legislature passed HB 130, a bipartisan bill signed by Gov. Lujan Grisham to extend classroom time for New Mexico students. The idea of enforcing 5-day school weeks was considered during discussions yet rejected. During this year's budget debates (HB 2), an amendment prohibiting the Government from allocating funds to mandate 5-day school weeks was introduced and approved on a bipartisan basis in the House, then the Senate.

Despite these efforts, Gov. Lujan Grisham quickly acted to disregard the Legislature and enforce the 5-day school week. Due to overwhelming opposition including from the unions which form her political base, Lujan Grisham made some small compromises: 
• Early college high schools will be exempt from the minimum 180 instructional day requirement.
• There is also some flexibility for apprenticeship, a work study program, a dual-credit program, employment, community service, or similar activities.
• But, for your average rural district a host of new requirements relating to educational performance metrics are designed to ultimately force them to adopt 5-day weeks.

By Paul J. Gessing

March 11, 2024, is the fourth anniversary of Gov. Lujan Grisham's first public health emergency dealing with what was then the start of the COVID 19 pandemic. Although restrictions varied widely throughout the next three years, the public health emergency did not end until March 31, 2023.

Under New Mexico's public health emergency laws governors have wide discretion to make policies unchecked by the Legislature or any other elected body. Objectively, it is hard to see any significant achievements thanks to the Gov.'s restrictive COVID policies.

Op-Ed
By: Rep. Jim Townsend (R-Artesia)

When is a Four-day school week appropriate? The answer is simple. When it meets the educational needs of the students, when it is supported by parents and educators and the community! Why does it have to be so difficult, especially when it works?

I have said on the House Floor that New Mexico has a hard time dealing with prosperity. When we have an industry providing over 100,000 great jobs, creating billions of dollars of revenue, what does the Legislature do? It attacks, taxes, regulates and imposes anti-industry legislation, hardly beneficial to families and certainly detrimental to New Mexico.

In the Education World, we try the same silliness.

By Paul J. Gessing

As Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) told the floor as debate over this year's budget wrapped up. "You're not a poor state. Quit telling other people you're a poor state."

He's right. The State of New Mexico is NOT poor. But what about the people of New Mexico? Among the citizens poverty remains high. According to World Population Review, New Mexico has the third-highest poverty rate in the US. Crime remains troubling and the education system is in dire straits.

The State of New Mexico (meaning the government itself) has had massive surpluses in recent years. Sadly, the government has either held onto or spent a majority of those dollars. The Legislature and its policies keep New Mexicans poor while the State retains massive wealth. A 2023 report stated that New Mexico's permanent funds amount to $43 billion.  

Briefing on SB 3 – PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

By Leanna Derrick – 505-210-1460, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Sponsors:

Senator Mimi Stewart
Rep. Christine Chandler ENM'18
Rep. Linda Serrato ENM'18
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero ENM'07 

Report:

SB 3 is a tax bill to create a new fund that benefits employees but mandates businesses to carry the burden making it difficult for business owners to thrive or could shut their doors in New Mexico. SB 3 would have set up a program to be run by the Department of Workforce Solutions at an estimated startup cost of $36 million and be funded by contributions from all employees and employers with more than five workers. Opponents argued the program will place an extra financial burden on both businesses and employees, and without penalties could allow for employees to commit fraud and abuse the fund.

Democratic Legislators neglected and overlooked opportunities to include conservative input.  At key moments, decision makers overstepped their privileges of power to shut down constituents who voiced opposition to the bill.  Throughout there were actions that indicate a coordinated effort to maneuver this bill through committee preference and arrange this legislation into law.

One goal of Emerge New Mexico, a political training program, is to repower political structures by flipping state legislatures, transforming campaigns and office leadership into majority-woman, and filling appointed boards and commissions with Emerge Alumnae.  In the case of SB 3, actions by cohorts do align with the Emerge New Mexico goals.

SB 3 is an expansion of the 1993 Federal Paid Leave Act.  Emerge America championing this effort to create a separate state fund.   Eleven other states (including Washington, D.C.) have created statewide, government-run paid family and medical leave programs. 

1.       All new legislation should go through either or both house's judiciary committee, yet SB 3 was not heard in either judiciary committees. 

2.       According to Carla Sonntag, in 2022 the NM Business Coalition, was invited to participate in the Paid Family & Medical Leave Task Force organized by the Southwest Women's Law Center (SWLC). The Business Coalition created a survey, tabulated the results, and presented their findings that businesses independence business could not afford the burden of this tax. The task force did not take into consideration the needs of the state's business owners.

3.       Currently, 3 Emerge alumnae are serving on the SWLC board:

·         SWLC Officer President Mary Clark ENM'15, employed as the sustainability manager at the University of New Mexico, overseeing the Office of Sustainability.  

·         SWLC Director Erika Harding ENM'09, current Director of Amplify Consulting & Communications solutions, former Chief Replication Officer and Global Replication Director at the ECHO Institute for many years.

·         SWLC Director Sydney Tellez ENM'18, JD from University of New Mexico School of Law, 2023.

4.       The Senate Committee's Committee determined SB 3 would be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. SB 3 was heard in the Senate Finance Committee over 5 hours on Thursday evening (2/8/2024) and made statewide media coverage because of the voter pushback.  Passed in the Senate - Y:25 N:15.

5.       The Speaker of the House determined which committee a bill will be scheduled to be heard.   In the case of SB 3, the bill was heard in House Health and Human Services Committee.  SB 3 was scheduled late Sunday evening to be heard the next morning on Monday at 8:30 am giving little notice for the public to attend in person.

6.       Rep. Liz Thomson, Chair of House Health and Human Services Committee repeatedly overstepped her privilege of power by shutting down committee discussion even when prompted by any of the three Republican committee members that their questions were on behalf of their constituents.  Chair Thomson dictated that public testimony was limited to 20 testimonies for 1 minute per speakers, 10 each for/opposing. 

7.       Testimony from constituent groups against the bill were more numerous in number than testimony for the bill.  Opposing testimony from the NM Restaurant association, Business Coalition, and Better Together New Mexico could not sway the Do Pass Vote 7 to 3. Action:  Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation

House Health and Human Services Committee Members

Name                                                       District  Party  Role

Rep Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson  ENM'09      24          D      Chair            

Rep Pamelya Herndon                              28           D      Vice Chair
Rep Jenifer Jones                                     32           R      Ranking Member
Rep Kathleen Cates   ENM'22                  44           D      Member
Rep Eleanor Chávez                                 26          D      Member
Rep Joanne J. Ferrary   ENM'13              37           D      Member
Rep Tara Jaramillo                                   38            D      Member
Rep Stefani Lord                                      22           R       Member
Rep Reena Szczepanski   ENM'08          47           D       Member
Rep Harlan Vincent                                  56           R       Member

 

 

8.       SB3 was introduced on Thursday evening in the Senate Finance Committee and ended with Do Pass 6 to 5. In retrospect, the best chance to defeat the bill was in this committee.  Only one Emerge alumnae is on the committee.  

Senate Finance Committee Members 

       Name                                            District    Party      Role

Sen George K. Muñoz                          4             D           Chair

Sen Nancy Rodriguez                         24            D           Vice Chair

Sen William E. Sharer                         1             R            Ranking Member

Sen William F. Burt                             33            R            Member

Sen Pete Campos                                8            D           Member

Sen Crystal Diamond Brantley           35            R           Member

Sen Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales       6            D           Member

Sen Siah Correa Hemphill  ENM'19   28            D          Member

Sen Michael Padilla                           14            D           Member

Sen Jeff Steinborn                             36            D           Member

Sen Pat Woods                                   7            R           Member

 

9.        SB3 was killed on the House Floor on 2/14/2024. The state House of Representatives voted 36-34 Wednesday to defeat a bill that would have created a statewide paid family and medical leave program. 11 Democrats joined 25 Republicans to stop Senate Bill 3.

10.   Better Together New Mexico counted over 80,000 responses in emails and phone call from voters who opposed SB 3.