The following is a commentary by James G. Townsend (R), New Mexico State Representative, District 54:
When Your Governor Goes Rogue
This week has been a whirlwind for some in the New Mexico Legislative body. Many of the Legislators, some on both sides of the isle, have been working to protect our Constitutional Rights, but are there enough of them?
Our options are described in law. We as Legislators can call ourselves back into an extra-ordinary session if three-fifths (3/5) of each Chamber votes to do that. What does that mean?
It means that in the 70-member New Mexico House of Representatives, where there are 45 Democrats and 25 Republicans, at least 42 members, a bipartisan group, must vote for a specific reason to call themselves back into session.
It means that in the 42-member New Mexico Senate, where there are 27 Democrats and 15 Republicans, at least 26 members, a bipartisan group, must vote for the same.
Remember, there are three types of sessions. The Regular Session, the Special Session (only called by the Governor), and the extra-ordinary Session (called by the Legislators themselves).
Our founding fathers were brilliant. The specified process requires transparency. The people get to see clearly who is and who isn’t working for the People. But will they?
The New Mexico Legislature is clearly controlled by the Democratic Legislators in both Houses. In both Houses, the Democrats, by themselves, could call the Legislature back into Session and they can also prevent that from occurring. Which will they do? The Republicans can only do this if 17 Democrats join them in the House and 11 Democrat joins the Senate Republicans in the Senate. Remember, for the Session to be called by the Legislators, both Houses must vote in the affirmative.
The Governor’s mandate to restrict our constitutional right to bear arms is in direct violation of our second amendment rights to bear arms. She has gone too far in her reaction to the recent gun violence that occurred. Everyone is deeply saddened for the families and the victims involved in all violence, including the recent shooting.
But violence is amuck in New Mexico, and Albuquerque in particular, and it has been worsening in recent years. To turn your back on the southern border issues, to ignore the fentanyl crisis, to become numb to the mental issue issues plaguing our State, and to say you’re going to correct it with a 30-day assault of law-abiding citizens’ rights to protect themselves is completely asinine. In fact, in the mind of many New Mexicans, it is criminal – and I agree with them.
When your own Attorney General notifies you that he cannot represent your actions…..there is a message there.
In my opinion, the Governor has reacted in an emotional way and in complete disregard for the other two million people who live in the State of New Mexico. Or, maybe that was her plan all along.
For the last several years, the Democrat legislators have undermined law enforcement efforts. They have stripped qualified immunity from our law enforcement, restricted their input in committee hearings, tabled crime packages that were presented, and the list goes on and on. This is their fault. They own this tragedy and they have the numbers to fix it.
So, with the Majority comes much responsibility and accountability. The Democrat Legislators in the greater Albuquerque area have been as quiet as church mice. We haven’t heard a peep out of many of them, yet their own constituents are the ones screaming for accountability. If their meekness continues, I expect their constituents will remember next November at the polls – as they should.
But, the most important thing we must do is to protect our Constitution and all of the Legislators, Republican and Democrat, must come together to address the issue of crime plaguing our State. It is time and time is of the essence.
I am asking each and every one of you to contact your Legislators and demand that they unite, call themselves back to Santa Fe, and address crime in New Mexico. We were elected to represent and protect; staying quiet as our constituents cry out is unacceptable.
If your elected officials refuse to take action, they are in fact aiding and abetting the Governor in this process and should be held accountable for their refusal to act.
Oh and by the way, I hope you all remember this and when the Legislators try to pass a law to pay themselves next year. Remember to pay them what they are worth.
Representative James G. Townsend (R)
For Representative Townsend’s Facebook page, click HERE.
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. District Court Judge David Herrera Urias today granted a temporary restraining order against Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent orders banning the lawful carry of firearms in Bernalillo County. The ruling cited the orders’ direct conflict with the Second Amendment and will halt implementation of the orders pending a final hearing.
Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen) issued the following statement regarding the ruling: