Gov. Bill Richardson will call a special session for health-care reform, and says it could begin as early as Monday but he’s willing to work with legislative leaders on the timing.
Richardson made the announcement, in a speech that was highly critical of Senate leaders, shortly after the regular legislative session ended today.
“While we had some major accomplishments during this year – tougher domestic-violence penalties and progressive energy-efficiency legislation – I’m not going to sugarcoat my feelings about this session,” Richardson said, according to prepared remarks released by his office. “After five hugely successful sessions, this is the least productive session since I have been governor. The results are mediocre, at best.”
Richardson said he is the voice for 400,000 New Mexicans who don’t have health care, and praised those representatives who worked toward compromise and House approval of his health-care plan during the regular session. The Senate didn’t even consider his plan.
“But I’m not giving up. I said I will call legislators into special session (if his health-care bill wasn’t approved), and that is what I will do,” Richardson said. “My preference is to do it immediately, but I am willing to work with the leadership on the timing. I have directed my staff to start preparing the proclamation declaring a special session.”
If the session is held immediately, Richardson will have the leverage of potential capital-outlay vetoes. He doesn’t have to act on the capital-outlay bill for 20 days. Every legislator is up for re-election this year, creating an added dimension to the dynamic of a special session.
Less than an hour after Senate leaders put out a news release saying the session was successful because the funding bills were approved and are fiscally responsible, Richardson said New Mexicans “expect more from us” than funding state government and “pork projects.”
“Unfortunately, a handful of senators, including certain members of the Senate leadership and the Senate Finance Committee, were more focused on power, turf and personal agendas,” Richardson said. “We heard it and saw it throughout the session. These senators were more interested in regaining power they feel they have lost to me during the past five years. They were more interested in blocking my proposals than working for what’s best for New Mexicans. The result was no effective leadership in the Senate.”
Richardson said that is why other important legislation including domestic partner benefits, a regional transit district, stem-cell research and an ethics commission failed during the regular session.
“We can still pass health-care reform. We will pass health-care reform,” Richardson said. “I will not stand by while 400,000 New Mexicans continue to struggle day-to-day without access to health care.”
Gov. Bill Richardson will call a special session for health-care reform, and says it could begin as early as Monday but he’s willing to work with legislative leaders on the timing.