The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
On a vote of 35-34, the House passed the budget today, sending it to the Senate for consideration.
The vote on House Bill 2 and related bills came after three hours of debate on a handful of amendments. House Republicans were quick to accuse Democrats of stalling after Rep. Thomas Garcia, D-Ocate, took up most of the time.
“After waiting days to debate the merits of New Mexico’s budget, House GOP leaders are disappointed in the procedural stalling tactics used by those in the majority,” a GOP news release states. “Members of the House GOP were working to improve the budget with amendments, one of which was adopted, when the members of the Majority Party decided it would be more important to ‘run out the clock’ on debate.”
“Once one amendment was adopted it appeared the majority party wanted to use up the 3-hour time limit rather than allowing a vote,” the release states.
“The people of New Mexico would be disappointed in this behavior and so are we,” said Rep. Tom Taylor, R-Farmington and the minority leader. “The fact a single member of the majority easily took up over an hour of time in debate is completely unfortunate.”
Republicans weren’t the only members who were disappointed. Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, tweeted this following the vote:
“…debated budget 3 hours w/ only a few people dominating. Wanted to bring up other issues than the minor amendments offered but no time.”
The House is about to start debate of film incentive compromise.
Update, 4:10 p.m.
Rep. Andy Nuñez, I-Hatch, missed the vote. Rep. Sandra Jeff, D-Crownpoint, broke with her party and voted with Republicans against the bill.
Update, 4:30 p.m.
It’s worth noting that, had Nuñez been present for the vote on the budget, and voted against it, the bill would have died on a tie.
I don’t know how Nuñez would have voted. I’ve tried but not yet been able to talk with him about why he was absent or how he would have voted.
Update, 6:35 p.m.
Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, sent this comment after voting for the budget:
“Although I am concerned with a budget that is still unbalanced coming from the House, the Senate was entitled to have a budget to work on over a week ago according to the Legislature’s joint rules.
“We are relying on faith in coming legislation, and on the Senate, to restore the balance we are ultimately required to achieve. I look forward to voting on a balanced budget before the end of this session, and would have liked that opportunity today.”