House works all night, passes most proposals

The House ended up working through the night and passed all items on Gov. Bill Richardson’s agenda except one that would place limits on campaign contributions.

The session ended shortly before 7:30 a.m. after a contentious night that included attacks by Republicans against Richardson and House Democrats and long debates by exhausted lawmakers on controversial bills.

Most House Democrats who were present went along with approval of the governor’s agenda and Speaker of the House Ben Lujan’s goal that they pass it in one meeting so everyone could go back home. But not all sounded happy about it.

“We usually get a break at least by four or five (a.m.). I think it’s the first time we’ve gone all the way through,” said State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. “The effort expended seems disproportionate to the policy advanced.”

The House has recessed subject to the call of the chair, so Lujan could call everyone back again to debate the contribution limits bill, House Bill 7.

Cervantes didn’t know why the bill wasn’t heard, but said he overheard its sponsor, Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque, ask Lujan to skip over it. Cervantes said there were a number of amendments being circulated, and he suspects that Lujan’s decision might have had to do with the late – or early – hour.

It is a contentious bill. The House passed a version during the regular session that limits gifts to candidates for state offices. The Senate tacked on amendments that would apply the contribution limits to candidates for local offices and political action committees.

That last point proved to be the most debatable. The less-partisan Senate agreed that leveling the playing field involved getting rid of large individual contributions upon which Republicans rely and gifts from groups upon which Democrats rely. The House Democratic leadership, on the other hand, operates the powerful Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee it doesn’t want weakened.

Lujan told the Associated Press there wasn’t time to scrutinize the bill. He didn’t indicate whether he would call House members back.

Lujan kept Democrats in line through the night, though many didn’t want to be there, which helped defeat the Republicans’ attempt to adjourn sine die. It failed on party line, 36-20 vote.

That forces the Senate to return by Saturday. At this point, a number of Democratic senators plan to vote with Republicans on that day to adjourn sine die again and continue the stalemate.

Richardson will push hard to try to change their minds. If he is unsuccessful, senators could continue to convene every three days long enough to vote to adjourn sine die. Richardson’s special session, by law, ends in 30 days.

However, Richardson could call another session if this one expires without the Senate considering his proposals.

A Richardson spokesman had no immediate comment.

Scroll down to read more about what happened last night.

Update, 1 p.m.

Richardson had this to say in a statement released by his office:

“I am pleased and thankful for the hard work by the House of Representatives, which showed its resolve to complete this important agenda for the people of New Mexico,” he said. “The stage is set for the Senate to return to work and give an up-or-down vote to these important initiatives. I plan to meet soon with the Senate leadership to discuss the next steps.”

“I appreciate the time of all of the House members, including the sponsors of the bills who stepped up to the plate and worked tirelessly on behalf of New Mexicans who wanted stronger ethics laws, modern roads, tougher public safety laws and civil rights protections for all citizens,” Richardson added.

A prior version of this posting incorrectly implied that every House Democrat present voted to approve every bill that was considered.