Democracy for New Mexico

NM Sen. Altamirano Introduces Minimum Wage Bill

As reported in the the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Minimum wage: A bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $7.50 over two years was introduced this week by Senate President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City. The bill (SB 324) would increase the state's minimum wage of $5.15 an hour -- which is the same as the federal pay floor -- to $6.50 next year and to $7.50 in 2009.

Under the bill, local governments would be prohibited from raising their minimum wages higher than the state's until Jan. 1, 2013. However, that provision would not apply to local governments that already have set their minimum wages higher than the state's, such as Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, is expected to introduce a competing proposal to increase New Mexico's minimum wage to $7.50 an hour. Gov. Bill Richardson backs Altamirano's bill but also is willing to work with other lawmakers on legislation to boost the state's minimum wage, said Eric Witt, Richardson's director of legislative affairs.

You can see a copy of Sen. Altamirano's bill, SB 324, here, as well as track its progress. It will go first to the Senate Corporations & Transportation Committee (SCORC). Click for membership. If it passes there, it will go next to the Senate Finance Committee (SFC).

Something to keep in mind is there is no guarantee that the minimum wage will be raised at the federal level this year. Although a minimum wage bill passed in the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate's bill to raise the minimum wage nationally is essentially being filibustered by Republicans because they want a tax cut for small businesses added. Senate supporters of the bill don't have the 60 votes needed to bring the bill to a vote without amendments. Read more.

Here's the vote tally. NM Sen. Pete Domenici voted against cloture (for the filibuster). No Democrats voted against cloture, and they were joined by 5 Republicans: Senators Coleman, Collins, Warner, Snowe and Specter who were against the filibuster.

Health Insurance Coverage for Domestic Partners Clears First Hurdle at NM Legislature

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports:

A bill that would require insurance companies to provide health coverage to domestic partners of employees -- if requested by an employer -- cleared its first hurdle Tuesday when it was unanimously endorsed by the House Consumers and Public Affairs Committee.

"What we're doing is kind of working along the edges to close gaps that exist as we move toward universal coverage," bill sponsor Rep. Peter Wirth (photo right), D-Santa Fe, said after the committee hearing.

The bill (House Bill 15) next goes to the House Health and Government Affairs Committee.

I have a personal stake in this one as I get my health insurance via my partner's job. We have to pay extra for it on a taxable basis, but if my partner's employer didn't use an insurer that provides such coverage, I'd be out of luck. And that insurer could change its mind any time about offerering domestic partner coverage.

There are a number of insurers (not to mention employers) in NM that flat out refuse to offer it. If my partner took a job at a company using one of them, I'd lose my coverage. Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to purchase COBRA coverage if my partner should lose her job for any reason, unlike the spouses and dependents of employees, but at least I have it for now. Sadly, my partner has actually had to turn down jobs with employers whose insurance plans refused to offer domestic coverage, despite the fact the employer wanted it. Unfair indeed.

Fortunately, it looks like this bill, which would apply to both straight and gay domestic partners, has a good chance of passing, according to its sponsor:

Wirth said he has received overwhelmingly positive feedback to his bill. "This is one of those bills that really makes sense," Wirth said.

This bill is one of the legislative efforts being supported by Equality New Mexico. Click here for their report on the bill, which includes some warnings about possible right wing interest in excluding GLBT citizens from coverage by introducing a Super DOMA bill. Also see my previous post for more info on EQNM's legislative plans.

Here's a list of members of the House Health and Government Affairs Committee, where the bill will next be heard. It's very important to contact them NOW.

You can see a copy of the bill and follow its progress here. If passed by the House Health & Government Affairs Committee (HHGAC), the bill will go to the Senate for committee assignment there.

Photos: NM Impeachment Press Conference

Photos by Terry Riley (click on images for larger versions):

Leland Lehrman of Mother Media starts it off.

Senators Gerald Ortiz y Pino and John Grubesic speak at Roundhouse press conference announcing introduction of Cheney-Bush impeachment resolution at the NM Legislature in Santa Fe yesterday. It is now Senate Joint Resolution 5 (PDF).

Sen. Ortiz y Pino rouses the crowd with Sen. Grubesic next up.

"We're simply doing what all elected officials should be doing. That is, listening to the voice of the people and trying to carry it out as best we can." --Sen. Ortiz y Pino

"I am an American citizen that believes that the Constitution is a sacred document and that the Bush Administration clearly does not share this sentiment." --Sen. Grubesic

Packed Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe. There were also many citizen speakers and cheers kept breaking out all over as things progressed!

You can see local coverage, including video, at KOAT-TV 7 News. Other coverage can be found at After Downing Street, which is tracking the effort. And here's Steve Terrell's report for the Santa Fe New Mexican. This article includes quotes on the bill by Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall:

"Sen. (Jeff) Bingaman doesn't think it would be in the best interest of our country to initiate measures to impeach President Bush, though he has a number of concerns about aspects of the administration's domestic and foreign policy agendas," Bingaman spokeswoman Jude McCartin said Tuesday. "Sen. Bingaman thinks our policies should be a reflection of our priorities as a nation and that all too often (Bush's) priorities seem inconsistent with our nation's values."

Rep. Tom Udall on Tuesday didn't close the door on the memorial. He said he would closely monitor the resolution in the state Legislature. "These legislators speak for many of my constituents," he said. Udall said he hopes to talk with those supporting the resolution.

To contact them, visit Congress.org.

See our previous post for more information on the bill.

The Joint Memorial has been assigned to three committees on the Senate side: Rules (SRC), Public Affairs (SPAC), Judiciary (SJC). You can track its progress at the NM Legislature website ats https://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/ and find contact information for legislators who serve on committees that will hear the bill.

Latest on NM Impeachment Effort

The effort to pass a resolution of impeachment against Bush and Cheney in the NM Legislature got front page coverage in the Albuquerque Journal this morning in this article. Quotes:

"Everyone says, 'This is symbolic.' So was dumping tea in Boston Harbor," Grubesic said. "We need to send a clear message to the rest of the world that we're not as insane as our administration is."

... It has been a hot-potato issue within the New Mexico Democratic Party: The party during its convention of more than 1,200 delegates last spring added a call for impeachment of Bush to its platform. But top-tier Democratic politicians, including Gov. Bill Richardson, were quick to distance themselves from that position.

...Both senators said they expect to take some heat for the proposed resolution but believe it can pass the Senate. "Politicians seem to last longer the less controversial they are— don't take on the tough issues; don't take a stand," Grubesic said. "With something important as this, I don't think you can just sit on your hands."

Also, the time of the press conference on the NM Impeachment Resolution has been changed:

From Gerald.Gonzalez@nmlegis.gov:
This Tuesday, January 23rd, at 2PM (not 1PM as previously stated), Senators Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-ABQ) and John T. L. Grubesic (D-Santa Fe) will introduce their resolution to impeach President George Bush and Vice-President Richard Cheney. Eight Senators in total have signed the Resolution including the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Cisco McSorley, and the Chair of the Rules Committee Linda Lopez. Based on a resolution crafted by Phil Burk of impeachbush.tv and the national impeachment movement, the resolution makes four charges, three of which are violations of the US Constitution.

The press Conference will directly follow the introduction of the excellent Joint Memorial opposing the creation of a National ID Card in New Mexico sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez and House Majority Leader Ken Martinez.

Who: Mother Media and Citizens from all over New Mexico
Where: The Capitol Building Rotunda
When: Tuesday, January 23rd, 2PM to 3PM
What: Senators Gerald Ortiz y Pino and John T. L. Grubesic to Introduce Impeachment Resolution in the New Mexico Senate

The charges in full:

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney conspired with others to defraud the United States of America by intentionally misleading congress and the public regarding the threat from Iraq in order to justify a war in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371; and 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted to ordering the national security agency to conduct electronic surveillance of American civilians without seeking warrants from the foreign intelligence surveillance court of review, duly constituted by congress in 1978, in violation of Title 50 United States Code, Section 1805; and

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney conspired to commit the torture of prisoners in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 113C, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Geneva Conventions, which under Article VI of the United States constitution are part of the "supreme Law of the Land"; and

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney acted to strip American citizens of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite detention without access to legal counsel, without charge and without the opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the president of a United States citizen as an "enemy combatant", all in subversion of law.

*******
More info on Impeachment
https://impeachpac.org
https://impeachbush.tv
https://articlesofimpeachment.net

Support NM Effort to Impeach Bush and Cheney

Editor's Note: A press conference about NM Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino's impeachment bill will be held at the Rotunda in the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Tuesday, January 23. Meet at the ground floor of the Roundhouse at Noon for lobbying and then join the press conference at 1:00 PM in the Capitol Rotunda. All are invited and urged to attend! For more information contact legislative aide Desi Brown at (505)256-0668 or desibrown@comcast.net. Click for flyer (doc).

From Terry Riley:
Please act on this request ASAP. We have a chance to force our national legislators to do what they seem to be afraid to do. We need to show the world that we do not support Bush, especially since it is very likely that he will be attacking Iran very soon. We have to act NOW before the whole world acts against us.

There is a bill being presented in the legislature this Tuesday to bring impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheny. According to the Constitution, if a state legislature passes a bill like this and it is presented to Congress, Congressman Udall has agreed to carry it (I believe), the Congress has to put aside all other matters and begin impeachment proceedings. WOW! Please be a part of this very important action:

Please thank:
Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino: jortizyp@aol.com
Sen. John Grubesic, Rules Committee Vice Chair: john.grubesic@nmlegis.gov

Please ask these Rules Committee Members to cosponsor:
Sen. Linda Lopez, Rules Committee Chair: linda.lopez@nmlegis.gov
Sen. Cisco McSorley: cisco.mcsorley@nmlegis.gov
Sen. Dede Feldman: dede.feldman@nmlegis.gov

Send them a message something like this (change and expand as you like):

Please cosponsor, along with Senators Ortiz y Pino and Grubesic, the resolution to petition the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. If we go into the next presidency having established that a president can lie us into war, spy on us in violation of the law, detain without charge, and torture, we will be throwing away the democracy we've struggled to keep and expand for over 200 years. We all have a solemn duty to work for the impeachment of men who have made our executive branch of government into a monarchy. You are in a position to play a key role in making this happen. Please do the right thing. Make the choice you would want your great-grandchildren to be proud of.

More information: https://www.afterdowningstreet.org/nm

Thank you,
Terry Riley
Veterans for Peace
Military Families Speak Out

Editor's Note: Also see our earlier post.

NM Legislature '07: Equality NM Lobbying

From Equality New Mexico:
LEGISLATURE IN SESSION: The 2007 Legislative Session has officially begun!!! For the next 2 months, Equality New Mexico will be actively lobbying the legislature with a proactive agenda trying to expand the rights and protections New Mexico offers to its LGBT citizens. quality New Mexico is putting forward an aggressive agenda to procure new rights and benefits for LGBT families and to maintain the protections that already exist. 

Equality New Mexico will be pursuing the passage of four important pieces of legislation, all the while continuing our efforts to maintain New Mexico’s status as one of only four states that does not define marriage as solely between a man and a woman, by advocating for the defeat of any form of DOMA (Definition Of Marriage Act).

The four pieces of legislation that we will be advocating for are:

1) Domestic Partnership Legislation: this legislation would create a domestic partner registry allowing any two non-familial adults in an intimate relationship to form a domestic partnership.  This domestic partnership would provide the couple with all of the rights, protections and responsibilities available to married couples on the state level. 

This domestic partnership legislation is the center piece of our legislative agenda this year. EQNM will also be introducing marriage legislation (see below). We strongly believe that ALL New Mexicans deserve full equality under the law. However, we believe that domestic partner legislation has the best chance of passing this session. As the statewide LGBT advocacy organization, we are committed to obtaining the maximum rights and benefits for as many as possible, as soon as possible. While clearly domestic partnership does not give the LGBT community the equality we deserve, this legislation will provide many of the rights and protections so many of our families desperately need. 

2) Legislation to correct the disparity between state employees that are married and those that are domestically partnered: Currently, when a state employee retires, their domestic partner loses their insurance. This bill would allow domestic partners to maintain their insurance after their state employee partner retires.

3) Insurance Legislation: this bill would require that insurance companies offer domestic partner insurance benefits if an employer wants to offer them.

4) Civil Marriage Legislation:This legislation would amend the marriage license form to remove the gender specific language and would include a clear statement that the purpose of this legislation would be to allow same gender couples to enter into civil marriage.

Our agenda is aggressive, difficult, and also achievable, but we will need the help of the entire LGBT community and our allies. There are several things you can do to help:

• Sign up at our EQNM Action Center for regular e-blasts from EQNM to stay informed: https://eqnm.org/index.html
• Contact your legislators and ask them to support EQNM’s legislative agenda: https://eqfed.org/eqnm/leg-lookup/search.html
• Join EQNM at the Roundhouse on Lobby Day, March 5, 2007: https://eqnm.org/lobbyday.html
• Make a contribution to our lobbying efforts: https://eqnm.org/donate.html

NEW EQUALITY NEW MEXICO WEBSITE LAUNCHED: Equality New Mexico has launched our new website!  The EQNM staff, board and volunteers have been working diligently to develop this new site to make it more user friendly.  With the launch of this new site, it will be easier for the community to get updates on what’s happening  at EQNM, in the legislature, and in the LGBT community in New Mexico and beyond. Please check it out at www.eqnm.org. This site will continue to be improved, but we would love your input. What do you want to see on the EQNM website?  What features will help you and the rest of the community?  Please let us know by e-mailing info@eqnm.org.

Special thanks go out to Board Member Michael Palmer and Administrative Manager Michelle Penson for taking on the bulk of this difficult task!

Please mark your calendars for these important upcoming events:

February 3, 2007:     Lobbying Training, sponsored by EQNM and Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance (Santa Fe, Location TBD)

February 11, 2007     Bubbly to Benefit Equality: Wine Tasting Fundraiser (Gruet Winery, Albuquerque)

March 5, 2007           EQNM LOBBY DAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE: https://eqnm.org/lobbyday.html

April 28, 2007           2nd Annual Equality Ball (Sandia Resort and Casino)

August 8–11, 2007    Equality Federation Summer Meeting (Nativo Lodge, Albuquerque)

Next Up on Insight NM Radio: Saturday 1.20.07

Insight New Mexico, the new radio talk show about local politics hosted by Eric Griego and produced by Suzanne Prescott, continues this Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Progressive Talk Radio, 1350AM. See our previous post for more info on this excellent new weekly progressive forum and call-in show. Also be sure to check out the show's website and blog at .

The January 20 show lineup Includes:

Mimi Stewart - serves in the New Mexico House of Representative from District 21. In the past Mimi has been Chair of the Government & Urban Affairs Committee and active on the following House Committees: Judiciary, Water & Natural Resources, Courts Corrections & Justice, and Legislative Education Study. Mimi can be reached at: mstewart@osogrande.com

Kate Nash - is an Albuquerque Tribune political columnist familiar to readers throughout to New Mexico and a special favorite of political junkies, traversing the hectic and often tumultuous landscape of New Mexico politics. Contact Kate at
https://www.abqtrib.com/staff/kate-nash/contact/

Joe Monahan - Joe's blog could just be the most widely read blog by political insiders in New Mexico. Joe's wide network of contacts, friends and confidantes bring local and timely news to his blog, New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. What insider information captured reader interest this week? Tune in to find out. Kate Nash reports that Monahan describes his blog as "the front page, the entertainment page, the sports page and the editorial page all rolled into one. "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan: https://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/

A Surprise Special Guest - Eric will feature a guest from one of Albuquerque's most active advocacy groups.

If we want this show to succeed and become a permanent part of the radio landscape here in Albuquerque, we need to tune in, call in and urge our friends and colleagues to do the same. If you'd like to learn about how you can become a supporter or sponsor of the show, contact Suzanne Prescott at .

TAKE ACTION: Sen. Kennedy Says State Pressure Critical in Stopping Bush Escalation Plan

Editor's Note: I participated in the conference call described below and encourage you to join the 50-state effort to get state legislatures to oppose Bush's escalation of troops. Here's an online tool that makes it easy to contact your state legislators and lobby them to introduce, debate and pass a resolution to urge Congress to prevent Bush's Iraq escalation plans. Sen. Ted Kennedy, among others, is convinced that action from the ground up is necessary if we want to stop Bush in his tracks on this. Let's get a resolution passed in New Mexico! Here's the proposed resolution and more resources.

From Progressive States Network:
Missoula, MT – In a conference call with state legislators from across the country, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy said that pressure from state governments would be key in preventing President Bush’s escalation plans from seeing the light of day.

Senator Kennedy drew a parallel between the minimum wage – which was increased by voters in six states last fall and in statehouses across the country last year – and the Iraq war in noting the ability of states to put opposition to the escalation on Congress’s front burner.

Kennedy is sponsoring legislation in the U.S. Senate to require that the Bush Administration seek Congressional authority for any escalation. The conference call was organized by the Progressive States Network and co-sponsored by Women Legislators’ Lobby, MoveOn, and Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

Steve Doherty, co-chair of the Progressive States Network and former minority leader of the Montana Senate, explained the crucial role that state legislators – elected leaders who remain near their constituents year round – have served as a crucial moral voice in recent history.

“Some folks will say that foreign policy is not a responsibility of the states, but I saw during my own time in the legislature the difference we made – speaking out on Irish terrorism, supporting our troops, standing for fair trade. Elected leaders are supposed to stand up for their constituents – America needs us now more than ever,” said Steve Doherty.

Prior to the call, resolutions opposing the escalation were being drafted and introduced in nearly ten states. Today, the Progressive States Network and its allies are working to get more resolutions introduced and to provide the legislators introducing them with the grassroots support they need to pass the resolutions.

“Since we have announced this campaign, the level of interest from legislators, from the grassroots, and from Congress has just been overwhelming. The resolutions are sprouting up all over the country. It’s a sign of just how deeply flawed this escalation policy really is – that it is creating these types of grassroots alliances to fight it,” said David Sirota, co-chair of the Progressive States Network and bestselling author of Hostile Takeover.

Opposition from legislatures is one facet in a much larger campaign to prevent President Bush’s reckless escalation policy. For more information on the Progressive States campaign, President Bush’s proposed escalation, a recording of the conference call, or model state resolution language, please visit www.progressivestates.org/iraq.

The Progressive States Network was founded in 2005 to drive public policy debates and change the political landscape in the United States by focusing on attainable and progressive state level actions. It accomplishes this mission by uniting policy makers with experts and grassroots organizations to provide the combination of efforts needed to advance good policy. It’s board of directors includes representatives of MoveOn, AFSCME, SEIU, AFL-CIO, Center for American Progress, ACORN, and Media Matters for America.

NM Senator Carlos Cisneros to Introduce Health Security Act

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Senator Carlos Cisneros (Taos) will sponsor the Health Security Act this legislative session. Growing public support combined with the deterioration of our health care system has led the Campaign to conclude that it is time to pass the Health Security Act — the only proposed New Mexico solution that has received substantial public input over the years.

The choice for New Mexico is

• to continue to invest more and more taxpayer dollars in our failing private insurance system, or
• to move in a new direction with the Health Security Act.

The Health Security Act will enable the state to set up its own health plan — like a cooperative — with freedom of choice of provider and a comprehensive benefit package. As soon as the legislation is introduced, we will let you know the bill number.

Increasing County and City Support
Since July of 2006, numerous county commissions and city/village councils have passed resolutions in support of the Health Security Act. This is a very new and exciting development in Campaign history. And more resolutions are expected in the weeks to come!

Here is the latest list.

Counties: Bernalillo, Cibola, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sandoval, Taos, Valencia

Cities: Albuquerque, Belen, Carlsbad, Deming, Grants, Hatch, La Mesilla, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Pecos, Rio Rancho, Silver City, Taos

How You Can Help
Contact Dana (northern New Mexico) or Cathilia (southern New Mexico) if you want to set up a meeting with your local county commission or city/village.

Dana: 269-3779; e-mail: dsmillen@msn.com
Cathilia: 635-0996; e-mail: cathilia@gmail.com

Let us know if you are willing to be a phone contact person, which means you are able to get 5 other people in your community to contact their local representative when the time is right at the legislature.

More News to Come
We are planning a lobby day at the legislature. Details will be available shortly.

JOIN IN: Help PSN, Moveon & Kennedy Launch the 50-State Response to Bush's Iraq Escalation Plan

From David Sirota:
A press release was just issued by the Progressive States Network (PSN) about the kickoff of a 50-state legislative response to President Bush's Iraq escalation plan. Tomorrow, January 17th at 9:30 AM MST, PSN will be holding a conference call with Moveon.org, other grassroots groups, Sen. Ted Kennedy and legislators from all over the country to launch the campaign to have state legislatures introduce and pass resolutions demanding Congress stop Bush's escalation. You can join the call by RSVP-ing at here. (I just did.)

Editor's Note: A previous post reports that NM Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino will be introducing a Memorial calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Ortiz y Pino also plans to introduce a resolution that calls for the impeachment of Cheney and Bush. I imagine he would want to participate in this 50-state escalation fight at the legislative level. Are you ready to join in and contact NM legislators to gain their support as well? We'll keep you posted.