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Monday, February 13, 2006
Democracy Disaster: NM Senate Kills Key Reform Measures
Bills to open legislative conference committee meetings to the public, tighten campaign contribution reporting and allow medical marijuana for seriously ill patients were all defeated in the NM Senate. Read all about this failure of democracy at Senator Dede Feldman's blog.
With a Democratically controlled State Senate and House, as well as a Democratic governor in office, it's shocking that crucial bills likes these are stymied. I thought the Democratic Party stood for clean and open government, as well as compassionate and reasonable treatments for suffering people. Guess not, at least during this legislative session. A big thanks goes out to Senator Feldman for all efforts on behalf of these measures, even if she got little help from some in the Democratic establishment.
February 13, 2006 at 10:45 AM in Local Politics | Permalink
Comments
I'd like to know who voted against these bills especially the campaign financing reform measures. A wall of shame would be good.
Posted by: -suz | Feb 13, 2006 12:21:02 PM
The thing about smoked marijuana is the danger that it will be a gateway drug, a gateway to tobacco smoking. At least let the little old lady in the wheelchair, dying of cancer, smoke the stuff if she and her doctor say okay. Why begrudge her that. The U.S. Attorney threatens to prosecute federally. This is a shame. p.s. I have never tried it. jack
Posted by: Jack Love | Feb 13, 2006 5:23:46 PM
Here's what I have for a vote count on the final vote. However, the bill was amended prior to the final vote.
Voting against the bill were Sharer and Sens. James Taylor, D-Albuquerque; Phil Griego, D-San Jose; Shannon Robinson, D-Albuquerque; Bernadette Sanchez, D-Albuquerque; Tim Jennings, D-Roswell; Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces; Richard Martinez, D-Española; Stuart Ingle, R-Portales; Rod Adair, R-Roswell; Dianna Duran, R-Tularosa; Steve Komadina, R-Corrales; Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque; Steven Neville, R-Aztec; Carroll Leavell, R-Jal; Clint Harden, R-Clovis; Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque; H. Diane Snyder, R-Albuquerque; William Payne, R-Albuquerque; Vernon Asbill, R-Carlsbad; Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs; and John Ryan, R-Albuquerque.
Posted by: Matt Brix | Feb 14, 2006 10:06:44 AM
