Members of the New Mexico Senate voted unanimously this afternoon to begin live audio and video webcasting from the Senate floor as soon as is technically possible, the New Mexico Independent is reporting.
Webcasting could begin as early as Saturday following approval of Senate Resolution 4, a compromise sponsored by Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque, and John Sapien, D-Corrales. Under the legislation, the Senate will install one camera at the back of the Senate chamber to try to replicate what a member of the public sitting in the gallery above the Senate floor can see.
The resolution also sets up an oversight agency to handle webcasting.
While that’s not as good as the original proposal to install three cameras and have video zoom in on lawmakers while they are speaking, it’s better than what is available in the House, which has approved audio webcasting but no video.
Today’s approval follows a long battle between lawmakers that has been shaped this session by the fact that webcasting and liveblogging have been taking place regardless of what lawmakers want. Senators spoke at length during today’s debate about the webcasting that’s been done in the Senate by NMI and the Santa Fe Reporter. In fact, today’s debate was webcast by the two news organizations.
Thanks to senators for approving this resolution. Congrats to Boitano, NMI, the Reporter, the cameramen behind the NMI/Reporter webcasts (Mark Bralley and Ched MacQuigg) and others who contributed to shaping the debate and making this happen. Your efforts have been worth it.