House Dems appear ready to continue special session

It doesn’t appear that House Republicans have the votes they need to end the special session today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try.

Minority Whip Dan Foley, R-Roswell, has made several attempts since the House convened more than 90 minutes ago to amend the feed bill for the special session – first to remove the funding for the Senate since it isn’t working, then to cut the funding for Legislative Council Services to shorten the session, then to remove the funding for the House.

Each failed on a party-line vote, with all 36 Democrats who are present voting against the motions. For the first couple of votes, 24 Republicans were present, and there were later 25 present.

The votes are likely indicators of how Democrats would vote on a motion to adjourn sine die.

The House is still meeting, and sources tell me Republicans will still try to end the special session. In the meantime, there’s a debate going about the need for a special session.

Foley blasted Gov. Bill Richardson early in the debate for leaving the state to campaign in California while requiring lawmakers to be in Santa Fe.

But a number of Democrats defended the need for the special session. Majority Leader Ken Martinez, D-Grants, explained why he believes each item on the agenda for the session is important.

In an e-mail he sent me while House members were deliberating, Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa, said he didn’t mind working without receiving per diem, which is what House members are doing since the Senate adjourned without approving the feed bill.

He also defended Richardson.

“Gov. Richardson’s responsibility is to call for the special session, and our responsibility is to accomplish the people’s work,” Campos told me. “… As a member of the House of Representatives, I do not need the governor to hold my hand through the legislative session. Today, I am here doing the work I was elected to do, the people’s work.”

Update, 4:15 p.m.

Missing from today’s floor session are Las Cruces Democrats Joseph Cervantes, Mary Helen Garcia and Antonio Lujan, in addition to Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe and George Hanosh, D-Grants. On the Republican side, missing are Brian Moore of Clayton, Eric Youngberg of Albuquerque and Dianne Hamilton of Silver City.

Update, 4:20 p.m.

The House passed the feed bill on a vote of 47-13 and is considering the domestic violence bill Richardson wants passed. An attempt to adjourn sine die could be made during announcements later in the afternoon but another House Republican, Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, is leaving because of a prior commitment.

Update, 5:15 p.m.

The House is currently in recess but will come back tonight to do more work, and may not meet again after that until the Senate returns on Saturday, Kate Nash is reporting on her blog.

In the meantime, Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos had this to say in response to attacks by Foley and others:

“Some Republicans made similar complaints before the regular session – that Gov. Richardson could not simultaneously be a strong chief executive and run for president,” Gallegos said. “Yet they were forced to admit when the session concluded that it was among the most productive in state history. This special session can be equally productive, if legislators focus on the work at hand.”

Update, 6:25 p.m.

Foley really went after Richardson today. You can read more about it from the Associated Press by clicking here.

Meanwhile, the House is still in recess while the Judiciary Committee considers some of the bills on the special session agenda.

Update, 6:40 p.m.

After several days of being coy about this week’s campaign schedule, Richardson’s people posted it on his campaign Web site today. I and at least one other New Mexico political reporter didn’t get it, though we normally receive such e-mails from the campaign. That raises my eyebrows, especially since Richardson failed to mention yesterday that he was leaving the state last night when asked by a reporter about his campaign schedule for the week.

At any rate, here’s the schedule, exactly as it was released:

Wednesday, March 21

WHEN: All day
WHAT: Fundraising and other closed campaign events
WHERE: Palm Desert and the Los Angeles area, CA

Thursday, March 22

WHEN: Morning
WHAT: Fundraising and other closed campaign events
WHERE: Los Angeles area, CA

WHEN: Afternoon
WHAT: Fundraising and other closed campaign events
WHERE: Phoenix, AZ

Friday, March 23
Nevada Contact: Josh McNeil, Nevada Communications Director, (702) 385-2455

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHAT: Culinary Workers Local 226 Contract Negotiation Rally
WHERE: CWA Local 226, 1630 S. Commerce St., Las Vegas, NV
Note: The Governor will hold a press availability in the press tent at approximately 7:30pm

Saturday, March 24:

WHEN: 9:00 a.m.
WHAT: SEIU/CAPAF Presidential Candidates Forum
WHERE: Cox Pavilion, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV

WHEN: 11:00 a.m.
WHAT: Speech to the National Convention of the Stonewall Democrats
WHERE: Riviera Hotel & Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV

WHEN: 12:45 p.m.
WHAT: Richardson for President Block Party
WHERE: Richardson for President Headquarters, 515 S. 7th St., Las Vegas, NV

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHAT: Keynote address to the Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner
WHERE: Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA