Some New Mexicans say they’re glad lawmakers and the governor negotiated a deal behind closed doors that led to today’s special session. Others are concerned about a lack of transparency.
Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.net
A statue of children outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, where a special session begins Monday.
A session costs roughly $50,000 a day. Gov. Susana Martinez and legislative leaders saved taxpayers money by working out details in advance on a capital outlay bill, tax-incentive legislation and supplemental funding for the Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Health, some said.
“Given the cost associated with a special session, I’m glad they came to a compromise before calling the session,” Larry Evans of Las Cruces said in a discussion on NMPolitics.net’s Facebook page. “That is, of course, as long as both floors open the bills for debate, and not just ramming them through.”
There should be opportunity for lawmakers to debate the bills. Legislation is normally considered by committees and the full House and Senate.
Martinez and four legislative leaders announced Wednesday evening that they had reached the deal to hold the session. Five days later, with the session starting at noon, the public has yet to see what lawmakers will consider.
Asked for copies of specific bills or more detailed summaries than had been included in a news release and the proclamation mandating the session, Chris Sanchez, Martinez’s spokesman, said he could provide none.
‘You’re doing it wrong’
John Jones of Albuquerque asked about the likelihood “of seeing the content of the legislation prior to the start of the special session.”
“Surely, the legislators (all of them) will want to read it before they pass it… verdad?” Jones asked.
Juan Carlos Holmes of Albuquerque wrote on Facebook that he was concerned about a lack of transparency.
“Without public scrutiny, there’s no public policing of potential side deals, no way to know who promised what to whom, and no way to know what was taken off the table without our right to comment,” Holmes said. “Saving money is well and good, but if your first cost-cutting measure is the elimination of public scrutiny, you’re doing it wrong.”
Charles Buehler of Rio Rancho said he would like to stop “these back-door agreements” and know what’s being considered before bills are passed.
‘At least something is getting done’
Martin Kretzmann of Albuquerque, meanwhile, said he doesn’t see the problem. People have known since March that lawmakers and the governor were trying to reach a deal after the capital outlay bill failed in the regular legislative session earlier this year.
“I think there’s been ample time for the public to tell their representatives what they want,” Kretzmann said.
Mark Benson of Las Cruces said he is fine with the closed-door dealings.
“At least something is getting done. This deal will create much needed jobs and infrastructure improvements for the state,” Benson said. “Given how dysfunctional our government is at the state and national level, sometimes a secret meeting between the respective party leaders is the only way to get anything done.”