The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
The N.M. Senate moved on high-profile legislation during a session that started Monday evening and lasted into the early hours of the morning, approving the budget and a bill designed to put an end to “social promotion.”
Senators also approved a bill that amends, but does not repeal, the law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. The House has already passed a repeal bill, and with the Senate and governor unable to strike a compromise, that issue is dead.
The votes to address three of the most high-profile pieces of legislation came less than three days before the session’s end at noon on Thursday.
The budget
The Senate approved the $5.6 billion budget on a vote of 34-6, making only a few changes from the House-approved version that must be reconciled before the bill goes to the governor. House approval last week was unanimous.
The bill leaves about $24 million unappropriated that could be used for tax breaks sought by Gov. Susana Martinez or something else.
According to a news release from the Democratic caucus, the Senate’s changes to the House-approved version involved shifting $17 million to funding for “projects like drug courts, food banks, adult literacy programs, library services and established a Ben Luján Cancer Program at the University of New Mexico. Also included are budget funds to eliminate unfair mortgage practices, and job training incentive programs.”
“These are all important programs that we need to make sure that New Mexico has the tools to help our citizens flourish,” said Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen. “From food banks to job training incentive programs, these appropriations will help New Mexicans feed their families, grow in their jobs and take care of their families.”
Social promotion bill
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats sent no news release about the vote in favor of Senate Bill 96, sponsored by John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, that seeks to end so-called “social promotion” of students who aren’t reading at grade level by third grade. But Republicans touted the 24-19 vote to pass the bill in a news release.
“Reading is one of the most important topics we can talk about regarding our children’s welfare and development,” Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales and a co-sponsor of the legislation, said on the Senate floor. “I hope the attention this debate has had regarding early intervention will get the attention of parents and remind them how important they are in this process. If the parent cares, the child will do well.”
The bill not only requires retention in third grade (and allows it earlier); it also provides help before that – including parental notification, screenings, and an intervention plan.
A similar bill is awaiting a floor vote in the House.
Driver’s license bill
As for the driver’s license bill, Senate Bill 235, the Senate, as expected, rejected an amendment from the GOP to repeal the law. The Senate instead approved legislation, which was sponsored by President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, that would amend the law. From a Democratic caucus news release:
“The law requires tougher requirements for foreign nationals including license renewal every year, fingerprints in a database available to all departments of law enforcement and increases penalties for those who knowingly provide false paperwork for foreign nationals.”
“We need to strengthen the current law, and clearly address the flaws in the system,” Jennings said. “The stronger law will work to eliminate the instances of fraud, and will make sure that New Mexicans are safe and driving with other licensed drivers. This bill provides far and away more safety to New Mexicans than any other.”
Martinez, who wants a full repeal of the law, has promised to veto the Jennings bill. The House has already refused to pass legislation like it.