Richardson, senators discuss session compromise

There’s talk of a compromise between Gov. Bill Richardson and a defiant Senate on the special session, but no deal has been reached.

Senators have to return by Thursday to decide whether to consider the proposals on the agenda or adjourn sine die for a third time. Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana and the majority whip, said a compromise being discussed would have the Senate vote Thursday to stand in recess until mid-April, a few days before the end of the 30-day session.

That would allow senators a couple of weeks to rest and take care of personal business.

“That would give us a chance to come back when we’re fresh,” Garcia said. “It will only take a couple of days to do what we have to do.”

But Garcia, who voted against ending the session the previous two times the Senate met, will be at a conference in Mexico when her colleagues convene on Thursday. Two other Senate Democrats who have opposed ending the session will also be absent, she said. That almost assures that the votes exist to adjourn sine die again on Thursday.

Key senators who have voted to adjourn twice during the special session, however, may now be willing to consider at least some of the proposals, if Richardson is willing to deal. Allowing a couple of weeks off, something Richardson did not permit at the end of the regular session, would be a step in that direction.

Speaker of the House Ben Lujan said the chamber over which he presides would be amenable to the scenario suggested by Garcia. I’m awaiting a statement from Richardson’s office.

Richardson has a number of items he wants approved during the special session, including public financing of judicial campaigns, campaign contribution limits, a state ethics commission, a registry for methamphetamine laboratories, tougher penalties for domestic violence, $208 million for road projects and domestic partner benefits.

Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming and one of three Democrats who voted with Republicans to adjourn sine die on Saturday, sounded open to a compromise, if the conditions are right.

“If we’re going to handle anything other than sine die, it will be ethics and some type of road bill,” Smith said.

The Senate isn’t willing to pass the current road bill, GRIP II (GRIP stands for Governor Richardson’s Improvement Plan), because it’s too large and long-term a project, Smith said. The state budget has increased so rapidly in recent years that he and others worry it isn’t sustainable.

But, Smith said, a smaller road-funding bill might be addressed.

Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces and the minority whip, seemed to believe it’s possible the Senate will give Richardson what he’s asked for – an up-or-down vote on the proposals.

“If the governor wants this great vote on these items, then it’s no, no, no, no, no, no, no,” Rawson said. “Nothing has changed.”

But Rawson didn’t close the door on a productive compromise.

“What do I expect to happen on Thursday? I think it depends on the message from the executive,” he said.

Rawson said the question is whether Richardson “is willing to moderate so we can find some common ground.” He believes Richardson could probably get approval for two or three bills “if he was serious” about compromise.

Rawson, like Smith, spoke about the road funding bill. Noting that it’s Richardson’s proposal, he said it should be funded from the governor’s share of capital outlay, not taken off the top before the remaining money is divided up. The current proposal takes from lawmakers’ funds but gives them no say in how it’s spent, he said.

“If he would understand that perspective, I think we could find some common ground,” Rawson said. “… If he has no flexibility in his position, then we won’t get there.”