Senate scheduled to meet at noon

The New Mexico Senate is scheduled to meet at noon today. Expect caucus meetings again as Democrats decide what to do.

They’ve twice voted to adjourn sine die since Richardson called the session on March 17. They might do that again – the votes are there. The might decide they don’t want to come back every three days, and vote to stand in recess until the end of the session and let time expire on it. They might hear the bills on the agenda today, but that’s the least likely scenario. They might stand in recess until a few days before the session to buy themselves a break, then consider the bills.

Only time will tell. We should know soon, but keep in mind the Senate is never on time. I’ll have updates as soon as I know what’s happening.

Update, 12:25 p.m.

It sounds like Gov. Bill Richardson might be ready to compromise. At a bill-signing ceremony this morning in Santa Fe, the governor apparently said he expects the Senate to vote today to stand in recess until a few days before the end of the session in mid-April and then consider some of the proposals.

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

“He’s very interested in working with them,” Richardson spokeswoman Carrie Moritomo said. “He fully realizes that they have families and things that they have to take care of.”

The Senate hasn’t yet convened. Stay tuned.

Update, 12:30 p.m.

The Senate is in session.

Update, 12:45 p.m.

I’m told the Senate is in recess right now for three-way negotiations between Democrats, Republicans and the governor’s office to determine whether an agreement can be reached on any of the proposals on the special session agenda.

Just to recap: Those are 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.

The time to find compromise is short, I’m told, as senators don’t plan to negotiate for more than a couple of hours, but it is an opportunity.

Maybe something will get done today.

During the regular session, the Senate passed a contribution limits bill that expanded restrictions on gifts to local elected officials and political action committees, but the House wanted the limits to apply only to state candidates. Right now, there are no limits.

The Senate also passed a bill that gave domestic partner benefits not only to intimate couples but to any number of pairs of people living in the same house.

The road-funding bill is another that is likely being discussed right now.

The Senate is scheduled to return at 2:30 p.m.

Update, 12:55 p.m.

There’s a meeting of leaders going on right now. One of the items being discussed is the road-funding bill, or at least the $25 million in the bill to construct a road from Interstate 25 in Doña Ana County to Spaceport America in Sierra County.

With the success of the project greatly dependent on Tuesday’s vote on whether to raise the gross receipts tax in Doña Ana County, state officials have been doing all they can in the last two weeks to fill the media with good stories about the spaceport. A pledge of another $25 million from the state would be considered a big boost.

Richardson has been requesting the money since the 2006 legislative session, but it’s been part of the massive spending bill senators haven’t wanted to approve. Some have spoken about possibly approving a smaller road-funding bill. We’ll see if the spaceport road funding has a shot.

Update, 2 p.m.

There were 17 Democrats and 17 Republicans present when the Senate convened earlier this afternoon. A couple of conservative Democrats are more likely to vote with the Republicans than approve some of the bills already OK’d by the House and supported by the governor, so the governor and Speaker of the House Ben Lujan may have to decide whether to give significant ground.

Update, 3 p.m.

I have to head downtown to Richardson’s spaceport tax rally. The Senate is still in recess, but I’ll have an update later today.