Democracy for New Mexico

(Updated) NM Impeachment Resolution Passes Second Committee, Senate Public Affairs, 4-2

UPDATE: Good news! According to Las Cruces blogger Heath Haussamen, Democratic Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-Doña Ana 38), was allowed to add her yes vote to the tally on the impeachment resolution since she was present for most of the committee hearing Sunday, making the final Do Pass margin 4-2. Another Democratic member of Public Affairs, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia (D-Doña Ana 36) has signed on to the bill as a cosponsor even though she wasn't able to attend Sunday's hearing. Hurrah for Senators Papen and Garcia!
***********************

SJR 5, the New Mexico impeachment resolution, passed the NM Senate Public Affairs Committee this afternoon by a vote of 3-2! Once again the hearing room was packed, with many left standing and even more trailing out into the hallway. Not one person spoke against the measure during about an hour and 15 minutes of testimony. Particularly moving were a passionate speech from a gentleman from Carrizozo, who led off the testimony, and an eloquent and heartfelt statement by another gentleman who had been a history professor for more than 30 years.

Dems present and voting to pass the resolution were:

Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, (D-Bernalillo 12), the bill's original co-sponsor (along with Rep. John Grubesic)

Sen. Dede Feldman, (D-Bernalillo 13), Committee Chair

Sen. David Ulibarri (D-Cibola, Socorro, Valencia) of Grants [no photo available]

A big thank you goes out to these three patriotic State Senators! If you'd like to tell them how much you appreciate their votes, click on their names above for their contact information.

Two Democrats Don't Vote
Although another Dem, Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-Dona Ana 38), was present for most of the hearing, she left without voting on the measure. The other Dem on the Committee, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana 36), who had previously signed on as a cosponsor of SJR 5, was not in attendance and may have been busy at another committee hearing.

Committee Republicans
Three Repubs attended most of the hearing, although one left near the end and did not vote, thus giving the measure only two nay votes, by Senators Stuart Ingle (R-Chaves, Curry, De Baca & Roosevelt) and Steven Neville (R-San Juan). At the start of the hearing, Ingle also motioned to table the resolution. It failed by a vote of 3-3, with the three Democrats present voting nay and Sen. Gay Kernan (R-Chaves, Curry, Eddy, Lea & Roosevelt) joining Ingle and Neville voting yes.

With a victory previously in the Senate Rules Committee and now this one in Public Affairs, the impeachment resolution moves next to the NM Senate Judiciary Committee. If it passes there, it would go to the full Senate for a vote.

Also see Anne Kass' post on today's Committee hearing for her take on the hearing.

To read our previous posts about the NM impeachment resolution, visit our impeachment archive.

REMINDER: NM Public Affairs Committee Hearing on NM Impeachment Resolution Today, 2PM

A large crowd is needed in Santa Fe today to show there's strong support for SJR 5, requesting that the U.S. Congress initiate impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney. If you can't be there today, please contact members of the Senate Public Affairs Committee. See our previous post for details. Last minute update from Robb Chavez:

Leland Lehrman says the Impeachment support group will meet at 1:30 PM in the Roundhouse rotunda to make plans, including making a suggested speaker list. The Public Affairs Committee, chaired by Albuquerque's Sen. Dede Feldman, has apparently tentatively agreed to hear only 15 witnesses. That may change if there's a strong enough turnout. The Committee may meet as early as 2 PM, but no later than 2:30.

Same Day Voter Registration Passes House Consumer & Public Affairs

From the House Democratic Leadership:
Santa Fe, NM – A bill that would allow same-day voter registration was heard in House Consumer & Public Affairs this past week. HB 860, introduced by Rep. Jim Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), was passed on to the Voters and Elections Committee with no recommendation with a 6 to 0 vote.

House Bill 860 permits same-day registration in primary and general elections at a polling place in the county in which the voter resides. It would then allow the voter to cast a provisional ballot. Unlike other same-day registration proposals made earlier in the session [most of them now tabled], this bill would not require a photo or government ID to be presented.

Rep. Trujillo said, “Same-day voter registration will increase participation in our democracy. Everyone is very busy these days and it is important that citizens who want to vote be allowed to do so. This bill will also serve to increase the voter roles. Once someone registers they will be able to vote in all following elections. It’s important that we do every thing we can to bring people into the process.”

Eight states allow registration and voting on the day of an election. In New Mexico a voter must be registered 28 days before any type of election to qualify to vote in that election.

NM Senate Finance to Hear Health Security Act Sunday

Editor's Note: The Health Security Act will be heard in Santa Fe on Sunday, the same day the NM impeachment resolution is scheduled to be heard. If you're up there for that, try to stop in at this hearing as well. And either way, please contact the legislators noted below.

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Come to the Hearing This Sunday! The hearing on Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act) in the Senate Finance Committee is still scheduled for Sunday, February 25. The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearing bills on Sunday at 1:30 PM in Room 322 at the State Capitol.

Please come to the hearing! We really need you there! It's absolutely critical for the Senate Finance Committee to see how much public support the Health Security Act has.

It's Not Too Late to Call Finance Committee Senators!

If your senator is on the Senate Finance Committee (see list below), please call and ask him or her to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act.

If you have friends or relatives in any of these senators’ districts, please ask them to call their senator to urge him or her to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act. These phone calls will have a big impact on what happens in the Senate Finance Committee on Sunday!

Senate Finance Committee Members

• Sen. Timothy Z. Jennings, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 32 (Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero counties): 986-4362
• Sen. John Arthur Smith, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 35 (Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra counties): 986-4363
• Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 6 (Taos): 986-4863
• Sen. Joseph J. Carraro (R) – Senate District 23 (Bernalillo and Sandoval counties): 986-4387
• Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R) – Senate District 19 (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4395
• Sen. Pete Campos (D) – Senate District 8 (Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Torrance counties): 986-4311
• Sen. Carroll H. Leavell (R) – Senate District 41 (Eddy and Lea counties): 986-4278
• Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson (R) – Senate District 37 (Doña Ana and Sierra counties): 986-4703
• Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D) – Senate District 24 (Santa Fe): 986-4264
• Sen. Bernadette Sanchez (D) – Senate District 26 (Albuquerque): 986-4267

Keep Up the Calls to Representatives, Too!
It still looks as though House Bill 1222 (the Health Security Act) will be heard in the House Health and Government Affairs Committee this coming week, possibly as early as Tuesday, February 27. We'll keep you updated on the hearing schedule, but in the meantime, we need you to call Health and Government Affairs Committee members.

If your representative is on the Health and Government Affairs Committee (see list below), please call and ask him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.

If you know anyone at all in any of these representatives’ districts, please ask them to call their representative to urge him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.
These phone calls are key to passage of House Bill 1222!

House Health and Government Affairs Committee Members

• Rep. Mimi Stewart, Chair (D) – House District 21 (Albuquerque): 986-4840
• Rep. Nick L. Salazar, Vice Chair (D) – House District 40 (Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties): 986-4433
• Rep. Paul C. Bandy (R) – House District 3 (San Juan County): 986-4214
• Rep. Justine Fox-Young (R) – House District 30 (Albuquerque): 986-4450
• Rep. John A. Heaton (D) – House District 55 (Eddy County): 986-4432
• Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D) – House District 37 (Doña Ana County): 986-4248
• Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela (D) – House District 48 (Santa Fe): 986-4318
• Rep. Jeannette O. Wallace (R) – House District 43 (Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4452

Not Sure Who Your State Senator or Representative Is? Here’s how to find out:

• Go to the legislature’s website: www.legis.state.nm.us
• Click on “Find Your Legislator”
• Choose “Senate” or "House" and click on “Search by Name, District or Zip Code”
• Enter your zip code (in some areas—like Albuquerque—you may need to input the extra four digits after your zip code)
• You can also call your county clerk.

If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.

Bill to Allow PRC Appeals of Managed Healthcare Decisions Unanimously Passes NM House

From the NM House Democratic Leadership:
Santa Fe, NM – A consumer would be able to appeal to the Public Regulations Commission (PRC) regarding managed healthcare decisions made by the superintendent of insurance under a bill sponsored by Rep. Rhonda S. King (D-Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance). House Bill 589 unanimously passed the House today with a vote of 67-0. The bill provides consumers with an additional level of appeal before having to go to court. The bill is supported by the PRC and the superintendent of insurance.

Rep. King said, “This provides the consumer with another venue of appeal before going through what can turn out to be a costly court process.”

House Bill 589 would amend the insurance code to provide the PRC with additional authority over Insurance Division matters. The PRC would review all of the orders of the superintendent of insurance and provide the consumer the right to appeal; the PRC would review all of the managed health care decisions made by the external grievance appeals panel and would provide the consumer the right to appeal; and the PRC would have to approve all of the appointments made by the superintendent of insurance to boards, commissions, or groups.

PRC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan said, “This is a consumer-friendly bill.  It provides consumers with another option to address their concerns or complaints before having to go to court.”

Editor's Note: This bill previously was passed by the House Business and Industry, Health and Government Affairs and Judiciary Committees. It now moves to the Senate. You can find contact information for your State Senator here.

ATTENTION: Next Hearing on NM Impeachment Resolution Set for Sunday

The NM Senate Public Affairs Committee will consider SJR 5, the New Mexico resolution calling for the U.S. Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Cheney and Bush, in Room 321 at the Santa Fe Roundhouse on Sunday, February 25th at approximately 2:00 PM.

If we want this bill to move forward it's critically important that we have a large turnout of supporters this Sunday, as we did at the bill's first hearing before the Senate Rules Committee. If you possibly can, please come to Santa Fe for the hearing this Sunday. There will also be opportunities for citizen lobbying with legislators and rallying outside with signs before the hearing. Bring your digital camera and I'll be happy to post your photos or videos on the blog.

Whether you can make it on Sunday or not, PLEASE CALL the state senators listed below RIGHT NOW. Be polite, be persuasive and make a personal appeal from your own point of view.

If the resolution passes Public Affairs, it will go next to the Senate Judiaciary Committee. There are several "swing" Democrats on each committee that have not yet shown support for SJR 5. Please contact them and urge them to support the resolution:

• Mary Kay Papen (D-Dona Ana), 505-986-4270 (Public Affairs)
• David Ulibarri (D-Cibola, Socorro, Valencia), 505-986-4265 (Public Affairs)
• Michael S. Sanchez (Valencia), 505-986-4727 (Judiciary)
• Richard C. Martinez (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe), 505-986-4389 (Judiciary)
• Lidio J. Rainaldi (Cibola, McKinley) 505-986-4310 (Judiciary)

One good talking point is to remind Democratic legislators that a very large majority of the 1200 or so delegates to the March 2006 convention of the Democratic Party of New Mexico voted to adopt a platform resolution in favor of impeaching Bush (see front page of Albuquerque Journal above). The resolution is a part of the official platform of our State Party. You can read more about the Party's passage of the impeachment measure in a Daily Kos diary from March 2006.

Another good idea is to call your State Senator and urge them to support the resolution and talk to the Senators listed above to gain their support. To find your Senator, click here. Visit Leland Lehrman's Mother Media website for more detailed information about Sunday's activities in Santa Fe, as well as additional suggestions for gaining more support for this bill.

Double Check
Finally, you probably should call the NM Legislature on Sunday morning at 505-986-4300 to make sure there has been no last-minute rescheduling of the hearing on SJR 5. At this point in the process, agendas have a habit of being changed with short notice.

To read our previous posts on the NM impeachment effort, visit the DFNM Impeachment Archive.

Update on Polluting Desert Rock Power Plant Tax Subsidy Bills

From activists against Desert Rock:
This past Sunday, the NM Senate Conservation committee met to consider its version of the Desert Rock bill (SB 431). It was essentially tabled. Yet, the bill is still alive in the House. The House Energy committee was supposed to take the bill up for re-consideration on Monday morning. They have delayed consideration of HB 178 till this Friday, February 23 at 8:30 AM.

Please contact the following Reps and ask them to oppose the bill:

Representative Joni Marie Gutierrez
Las Cruces Area
Capitol Office Phone: 986-4234
Office Phone: 647-5577
Home Phone: 526-5079
E-mail: jonig@zianet.com

Representative Thomas A. Garcia
Taos, Mora, Colfax, Guad
Capitol Office Phone: 986-4242
E-mail: ocate@hotmail.com

The subsidy is being proposed through two bills being considered in the Roundhouse that would reduce Desert Rock’s overall New Mexico tax liability by about 15 percent. Sithe Global Power, the company selected by the Navajo Nation’s Diné Power Authority, to develop, finance, construct and operate the 1,500 megawatt power plant, has already negotiated a reduction of its Navajo Nation tax liability by about two-thirds. The total cost of the facility is estimated at $3 billion, making it the most costly construction project in New Mexico history.

If any money is to be given to corporate interests at all, it should go toward supporting innovative, cutting-edge coal technologies now available, such as coal gasification, that significantly reduce coal- power emissions overall, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The New Mexico Environment Department reports that Desert Rock’s emissions would significantly impact air quality in a region where air quality is already close to exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone, the most common cause of smog. The plant would increase New Mexico’s emissions of mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin, by 13 percent and the region’s sulfur dioxide emissions by 10 percent, according to a state analysis.

The plant would raise statewide greenhouse gas levels by 25 percent, boosting statewide greenhouse gas emissions to about 59 million tons per year. The state predicts its total greenhouse gas emissions would reach nearly 60 million tons per year by 2012 without Richardson's limits. His executive order calls for greenhouse gases in 2012 to be the same as in 2000, or at about 48 million tons per year. The Desert Rock plant expects to emit just under 11 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Because the state does not have jurisdiction over the facility, the state agencies cannot mandate the type of technology that should be used.

Our money should not go to subsidize a regional power plant that intends to sell most of its power out of state. Sithe doesn't want to admit it, but it is going to build this plant -- if EPA lets them -- whether or not they get the $85 million tax break from New Mexicans. So giving it to them would truly be a giveaway.

Thanks for considering this critical issue,
Kristin Casper: kristincasper@yahoo.com

Editor's Note: For more background and information on this attempted tax giveaway to what would be a filthy, polluting producer of energy in our state, check our previous post, which includes many useful links.

Video: NM Impeachment Press Conference, PLUS How to Help

Thanks to Concentric Media and Mother Media, we now have access to video of the press conference at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on January 23rd introducing New Mexico's impeachment resolution, SJR 5. The resolution passed the Senate Rules Committee on February 16, 2007 and will next be heard by the NM Senate Public Affairs Committee.

What You Can Do to Help TODAY: Senators Mary Kay Papen and David Ulibarri are the swing votes on Public Affairs. Please call their offices via the Capitol Switchboard: (505) 986-4300. Also please call Senate Public Affairs Committee Chairwoman Senator Dede Feldman encouraging her to schedule the hearing this week (Friday or Sunday) and thanking her for her leadership on the issue and her positive vote in Rules. Read more about what's needed at MotherMedia.org. You can get Basic Background Here. Mother Media: Leland Lehrman h: (505) 982-3609 o: (505) 473-4458.

National Attention: Our New Mexico impeachment efforts have gotten media and blog attention all over the nation. The Democracy for New Mexico blog has been getting up to 5,000 hits per day with thousands of visits to our previous posts on impeachment. Check out all the comments left by visitors at our post about passage of the resolution at the NM Senate Rules Committee.

Note: You can access all of DFNM's posts on the NM impeachment resolution by clicking here.

Rep. Mimi Stewart's Campaign Finance Reform Bill Passes NM House

From the NM House Democratic Leadership:
On Monday House Bill 821a — Campaign Reporting Requirements, sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), passed the House of Representatives with a 51 to 16 vote. The bill is part of the comprehensive ethics and campaign reform package that has been presented by House Democrats based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Ethics Reform. 

Rep. Stewart said, “I am pleased that this essential element of ethics reform received bi-partisan support today. The public has been asking us to enact laws like this one for years and it is our responsibility as the state legislature to do so. This bill is only one part of a comprehensive program that is designed to apply to all elected public officials. Other bills in the package will also be voted on this week. I hope that all of them pass.”

New Mexico is one of only five states that does not have any type of campaign contribution limits. HB 821a enacts four reforms that strengthen state campaign finance law. It places limits on campaign contributions that are consistent with and indexed to federal law. That limit is currently $2300 per donor, per candidate, per election. And it requires disclosure of every occupation and employer or business of a contributor of $100 or more.

The bill closes a loophole in current campaign reporting requirements in the category of “independent expenditure” for out-of-state political entities. Previously, out-of-state donor organizations had no reporting requirements at all. It also grants the subpoena power to the Secretary of State for investigations into possible violations of the Campaign Reporting Act.

Nine Republicans supported the Campaign Reporting Requirements legislation, while 16 Republicans voted against it. There was no Democratic opposition to the bill. Opponents questioned why the legislation was necessary since there haven’t been any ethics transgressions from House or Senate members in recent years. They asked if the bill would really change anything.

“A crook is a crook is a crook. And crooks will be dishonest and go around the law no matter what we legislate,” said Rep. Cathy McCoy (R-Cedar Crest).

Rep. Ken Martinez (D-Grants) said, “This bill is part of eight items of legislation that form a comprehensive package. This bill is about institutional integrity. It is not a response to a particular case of wrongdoing. People worry about money in politics with good reason. This package takes a huge step towards openness, fairness and integrity in our state government.”

Speaker of the House Ben Lujan (D-Nambé) pointed out that the bi-partisan taskforce that studied the ethics issues over the past year and recommended the bills in the ethics package acted unanimously. On the House floor he also urged a 100% vote in favor of the bill.

“We are serious about these initiatives becoming a reality. We need to assure our citizens that we are protecting the integrity of our democratic process and access to the process. It is my sincere hope that we can achieve this is a bipartisan manner. It is unfortunate that some are choosing not to support this effort,” Speaker Lujan said.

Editor's Note: The bill now moves to the NM Senate Judiciary Committee. Click for contact information for its members. If campaign finance reform is to be successful this year, it's up to citizens to push for it, especially on the Senate side where a considerable amount of opposition exists. Please call or email the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as your State Senator to urge their support for HB 821a, as well as the other parts of the ethics reform package.

Support the NM Identity Theft Protection Bill

From the office of NM Senator Dede Feldman:
The Credit Security Freeze -- aimed at Identity Theft -- will hit the NM Senate Floor Tuesday. Senator Dede Feldman asks everyone to call all Senators to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for SB 448 and SB 165. Click to find contact information for your State Senator.

Listen to Sen. Feldman's latest podcast (mp3) discussing this bill (and Miss New Mexico).

Senator Feldman has been working on a compromise with everyone who's interested in protecting consumers from identity theft. The compromise would allow consumers to freeze their credit report. The Attorney General, AARP and many others support the bill Senator Feldman is sponsoring. If passed, consumers could call the credit agencies, and, for $5, place a freeze on their account information so no one with whom they do not already do business can have access to their data to open new accounts or commit crimes. Consumers can then unfreeze their accounts and allow people to see it when they want to make a major purchase.

Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) introduced a related industry-backed bill. Together with Senator Sharer, Senator Feldman got everyone together and hammered out a compromise, which was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday. Efforts are still being made to accommodate the auto dealers who want consumers to be able to "thaw" their credit almost immediately. Miss New Mexico, a victim of identity theft, who has made this her platform, was at the Capitol Friday to help with the passage of the Bill. Senator Feldman has already received many emails but urges everyone to keep them coming because there is still a long way to go before the bill is finally passed and signed into law.

Editor's Note: Be sure to add Senator Dede Feldman's Blog to your favorites and blog roll.