Last week, New Mexico’s 56th Legislature convened. I missed the telecast of the first in-person State of the State speech in three years as I was on a plane. I’m sure it said all the right things about our children, our opportunities and our great state.
The session is starting with a lot of new leadership and a lot of new bills that I hate. The leadership is a mixed bag. New faces are, to me, a good sign in general. However, as new House Minority Leader Ryan Lane (R-3), Minority Whip Jason Harper (R-57) and Caucus Chair Gail Armstrong (R-49) show some movement to the center for the GOP, Democratic leadership continues a leftward bent.
The intent of new Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-11) was made quite clear as incumbent, moderate, and pro-business House Appropriations Chair Patricia Lundstrom (D-9) was removed from that committee entirely and replaced by progressive legislator Nathan Small (D-36).
The GOP leadership may reflect a more moderate tone, but the Democrats aren’t meeting them in the middle. And they have the numbers – 45 to 25 – to do as they like.
I have an unfortunate habit of emphatic sighing. I don’t need an audience. A dramatic audible exhale is a small mini-catharsis for me throughout the day as I cope with the small injustices thrown my way each hour.
I am sighing a lot as I contemplate this upcoming session.
Our state minimum wage is totally going up. To $16 an hour according to the legislation, having just been raised to $12/hour in 2023 per...
A short video circulating widely on social media claims that US Representative Ilhan Omar referred to World War II as “World War 11” while discussing the Alien Enemies Act. The clip has been share...