The New Mexico Senate voted again today to adjourn sine die in defiance of the governor.
It’s the second time in a week the Senate has voted to end the session and reject Gov. Bill Richardson’s call for a special session. The move places the ball back in the House’s court, as that chamber’s membership must now decide whether to adjourn sine die and end the session or force the Senate to meet a third time.
The Senate didn’t approve the feed bill before adjourning today, so House members would be working without per diem, as they did during the first week of the special session, if they continue. If they keep working, the Senate must return by Wednesday, but could vote to adjourn again.
Democratic Sens. John Arthur Smith of Deming, Tim Jennings of
“We do not have an imminent emergency in state government for a special session,” Smith told me following the vote.
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.
The House has approved all proposals except the contribution limits bill.
Smith said one of the most contentious issues is the road funding bill. It’s dubbed GRIP II, with the acronym standing for Governor Richardson’s Improvement Plan. The issue is that GRIP I, passed years ago by lawmakers, is some $300 million over budget and unfinished.
“I don’t believe until we fund GRIP I we should even move on to GRIP II,” Smith said.
Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces, said the House Democratic caucus, which to this point has kept the special session alive by refusing to adjourn, should realize that the Senate has no intention of approving the bills already approved by the House.
“At a certain point, I think the House has to accept the Senate’s position just out of mutual respect,” Rawson said.
In addition, Rawson noted, there’s a hardship for House members because they aren’t getting per diem.
“They’ve got members who have to travel from around the state, too,” he said.
The governor’s office had no immediate comment.
Update, 12:20 p.m.
When the Senate voted Tuesday to adjourn sine die, eight Democrats sided with Republicans. Three of those Democrats did so again today, but four others changed their votes, and one was absent.
Those who changed their votes were Ben Altamirano of
Democrat Gerald Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque, who voted Tuesday to end the session, was absent for today’s vote.
As for
Update, 3:15 p.m.
Here’s a statement from
“The governor is very disappointed that the Senate chose to continue to shirk its responsibility to the citizens of
“The governor is not giving up and expects the Senate to address these issues. The House debated the bills, amended them and passed solid legislation,” he said. “The Senate may have temporarily avoided their work today but they will have to come back. This is not over.”