I figured this would be coming………Balloon Fiesta pushed back to 2021
Other news today……..
Santa Fe- Today is Monday, June 22, the fifth day of the 2020 special legislative session. The House of Representatives could possibly be here through Wednesday. The Senate on the other hand, finished their work on Saturday afternoon.
The session has been marred with confusion, lapses in public transparency, and has revealed cracks in the cohesion within the majority’s ranks. This has caused the Speaker to resort to “breaking arms” behind closed doors to ensure party discipline.
The special session was scheduled following three months of excuses by the Governor as to why solving our historic budget crisis was delayed. It appears the Governor is more interested in preserving her record 20% increase to state spending rather than trying to address the $2 billion revenue shortfall.
Prior to the special session, the Governor and progressive legislators tried to frame the session as an opportunity to provide hyper-focus on fixing the budget and addressing the serious economic ramifications following the Governor’s forced shutdown of the economy. Yet, just hours before the session was to begin, the Governor revealed a slate of hyper-partisan legislation designed to enhance the Governor’s power and further her radical agenda.
The public and legislators alike, were not allowed to read the text of any of the legislation the Governor deemed worthy of consideration until nearly three hours after both chambers gaveled in to begin their work. Much of the session was derailed by significant technical issues that prevented public webcasting; further limiting public access following a decision to prevent the public from entering the building to watch committee and chamber debates.
“I think lawmakers and the public are both in shock that this special session has been marred by such partisan tactics while our economy implodes,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia). “The Speaker should be embarrassed that we will waste more taxpayer funds to finish work that the Senate completed in three days. People are struggling to make ends meet, fighting to get government assistance, and businesses are closing. We were elected to make tough decisions and the only tough decision I saw made was to allow legislators to be paid while they sit at home.”
The main budget bill was passed without House Republican support due to bipartisan concerns that the continuing economic ramifications will be far worse as the year continues and will lead to massive cuts in government spending while setting the stage for significant tax increases on New Mexicans.
The only win for New Mexicans thus far has been to prevent the tax department from levying fines and penalties on taxpayers due to the Governor’s shutdown of essential government agencies and the private sector.
“There is a reason why Republicans call this session smoke and mirrors. We simply did not do enough to protect New Mexicans from massive tax increases that the majority obviously plans for January,” said House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (Farmington). “The real losers of this session are the businesses, workers and law enforcement who will pay the price for this lack of leadership.”
From earlier today……..
Just to be clear, the Legislative Session did not end last night for the House of Representatives. We tried to end it but the progressives wanted to continue wasting a few more dollars. (The estimated cost for the session is about $50,000 per day).
Every Republican Bill was never heard. The speaker sent those Bills out of order to the Rules Committee to die. He never allowed the Rules Committee to reconvene. Purposely ignored the constituents of those representatives districts to force his political pressure, I am sure as he was instructed to by the Governor.
The Speaker ignored rules to advance his personally sponsored and promoted Bills. For example, House Rule 11-14-2 requires the Speaker to send Bills with appropriations to House Appropriations Committee for review. He knows that, he chose to ignore the rules so his political agenda could be quickly advanced.
On another occasion, 14 democratic legislators voted with Republicans to oppose a politically charged election bill change. That is when all hell broke loose. The speaker immediately picked up his phone called one of his Chairmen and had them move to Reconsider the Bill and adjourned to a Caucus meeting. Two hours later those legislators, with their heads held low, filed into the Chambers and enough of them changed their votes to Pass the Bill.
This is a perfect example of why New Mexico is so far behind the curve. In almost every ranked category; education, deployment of capital, seniors well being, children living in poverty New Mexico is ranked nearly last out of all 50 States and has been for years and years and we will continue being ranked last until change occurs and the people of New Mexico are allowed to speak through their representatives.
So on Monday morning, the House of Representatives will go back into Session alone, the Senate adjourned last night and went home, the House will reconvene and hear a memorial and a couple of other progressive bills and possible adjourn.
Representative Bandy of San Juan, on his last day of attending the Legislature, he is retiring, made the motion to Sine Di, but in unison that side looked to their progressive leader to see how to vote and followed their political orders as instructed. I’ll be glad, when the will of the people is more important than to whims of political leaders then and only then will the well being of New Mexicans be better.
Remember in November and vote for a change, vote for New Mexico, together we can make a difference that improves the lives of every New Mexican.
I am so very thankful that I have my Sharon and the kids and Daisy and my Church family and the many friends we have through FGGAM……many Americans do not have a Church family for one reason or another.
One more thought…we were talking at Church yesterday about social media…… we all agreed that social media is 50% bad….or more? It sure can spread hate and fake news…..here at FGGAM we stay on social media because God says to shine his light, to bring the truth!
Watch Joni’s Latest Video!As our nation confronts injustice and brokenness, God sees our pain, and he is touched by our tears. The Lord longs to give healing and hope. Watch Joni’s Latest Video! |
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