FGGAM just received this update from the NM House Republican Caucus:
We are a little over a week into the 2016 Legislative Session. While House Republicans have passed bills that will make New Mexico a safer place to live and raise a family, those bills are languishing in the Senate.
Waiting on Senate Action:
Bipartisan legislation to close a dangerous child pornography loophole passed the House Floor on Bipartisan Vote. “House Bill 65 would allow prosecutors to charge one count of possession for each visual porn item possessed instead of the current ability to charge one count total no matter how many images are possessed.” (“House passes child porn “loophole” bill on 60-2 vote,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/26/2016)
Bipartisan bill to increase penalties for child abusers passed the House Floor. “The pair of bills would make life in prison possible for somebody convicted of intentionally abusing any child under 18 to the point of death, which is outlined in House Bill 69. House Bill 68 triples the prison time for somebody who intentionally injures a child but doesn’t kill them.
House Bill 68 passed a House vote, 61-1. House Bill 69 passed by a unanimous 63-0 vote.” (“House passes child porn and child abuse legislation,” KOB, 1/26/2016)
Bill that would stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and bring New Mexico into REAL ID compliance passed the House Floor on a bipartisan vote. “The Republican-led House voted Wednesday to require New Mexicans to obtain driver’s licenses that comply with federal Real ID requirements – except for undocumented immigrants, who would be issued driving privilege cards.
House Bill 99 passed 39-30, with all Republicans and two Democrats in favor and all other Democrats opposed.” (“Republican-led House passes Real ID license bill,”Albuquerque Journal, 1/27/2016)
Bill that would expand New Mexico’s current “three-strikes” law passed the House Floor on a bipartisan vote. “A bill that would expand New Mexico’s never-used “three-strikes” law for repeat violent offenders is headed to the Senate, after being passed in the House late Thursday on a 47-15 vote.
Rep. Paul Pacheco, R-Albuquerque, the measure’s sponsor, said the bill, had it been in place, would have applied to just 60 criminals in a recent 15-year span. But he also called it necessary to ensure violent repeat offenders get stiffer sentences.” (“House approves expansion of ‘three-strikes’ law,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/28/2016)
Passed House Committee:
Measure that would allow local governments to impose curfews cleared the House Judiciary Committee. “Legislation allowing cities and counties to impose curfews on young people is headed to the full House for a vote after clearing the House Judiciary Committee.” (“Curfew measure on to House; passes panel on 9-4 vote,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/27/2016)
House Safety and Civil Affairs Committee passed three bills to crack down on DWI offenders. “Three anti-DWI bills that Gov. Susana Martinez hopes become law made it through their first committee today.” (“3 anti-DWI bills pass first panel,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/28/2016)
Meanwhile Democrats Flounder:
Ignoring the facts, Senate Boss Michael Sanchez said that New Mexico has some of the toughest DWI laws in the country. “This hearing came just hours after House Republicans slammed Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, for saying New Mexico has some of the toughest DWI laws in the nation and Senate Democrats in general for historically blocking tougher DWI penalties.” (“3 anti-DWI bills pass first panel,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/28/2016)
Two House Democrats, Moe Maestas and Eliseo Alcon, opposed legislation that would protect vulnerable children from dangerous predators. “Reps. Antonio ‘Moe’ Maestas, D-Albuquerque, and Eliseo Lee Alcon, D-Milan, were the only ‘no’ votes on the bill, which passed the chamber with 60 votes and now moves on to the Senate.” (“House passes child porn “loophole” bill on 60-2 vote,” Albuquerque Journal, 1/26/2016)
Democrat lawmaker Moe Maestas made an outrageous reference to the Holocaust during debate of driver’s license debate. “That reference to boxcars has people outraged because they said it evokes images of the Holocaust.” (“REAL ID debate: Lawmaker defends ‘boxcar’ comment,” KOAT, 1/26/2016)
House Democrat Javier Martinez made a heinous comparison on Facebook when he likened the House Republicans driver’s license compromise bill to slavery. “Martinez, an Albuquerque Democrat, compared the GOP bill to ‘sanctioned slavery’ because it would ‘legitimize discrimination’ against immigrants in the country illegally.” (“A New Mexico House GOP-backed proposal to make the state compliant under the federal REAL ID Act passes in the House,” Associated Press, 1/27/2016)
House Democrat Miguel Garcia also made an over-the top slavery reference during debate on the driver’s license compromise. “A Democratic lawmaker says a GOP House proposal bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act would make some immigrants ‘indentured servants.’
Rep. Miguel Garcia said Wednesday the proposal would discrimination against immigrants living in the country illegally and transform the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department into a deportation ‘pipeline.’” (“A New Mexico House GOP-backed proposal to make the state compliant under the federal REAL ID Act passes in the House,” Associated Press, 1/27/2016)
Pictured is Senate Boss Democrat Michael Sanchez
