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Reps react to governor's call for special session
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced last week she will call the New Mexico Legislature into a special session on July 18 to take up additional public safety protections that New Mexicans demand.
Lujan Grisham said she decided to convene a special session to allow lawmakers to finish what they started during the 30-day session. Based on discussions with legislative leadership, the governor anticipates that the special session will be completed within several days.
“While we made some progress toward a safer New Mexico during the 30-day day session, we agree that we must do more,” Lujan Grisham said. “The special session in July will enable us to deliver additional statutory changes that reduce the danger and risk New Mexico communities face every day. The best proposals for making our state safer will be under consideration, and I welcome input from my colleagues in the Legislature.”
The July 2024 special session will be the fifth special session of the Legislature during Gov. Lujan Grisham’s tenure as governor.
The Observer reached out to several elected officials who represent Rio Rancho and Sandoval County for their reactions to the governor's call for a special session.
State Rep. Joshua Hernandez (District 60)
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"Crime has been plaguing New Mexicans for years, and this governor has done little to combat the root causes. I do welcome the opportunity to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to hold criminals accountable, stand with law enforcement and fully fund mental health remedies — as long as there are real solutions on the table and not election-year Band-Aids."
State Rep. Alan Martinez (District 23)
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"I have never been a fan of special sessions to deal with one or two issues that the governor was not able to get through during a regular session. I think it is a waste of taxpayer money, and unless it is to deal with a budget issue, I have never seen a successful one. The issues, if passed, usually end up getting pushed through with very little debate and then we have to go back during a regular session to fix it.
"If, in fact, the governor wants real and impactful public safety legislation, all she has to do is come out in support of the bills that Republicans introduced over the last couple of sessions. The bill for an increase in sentences for crimes committed with a firearm has been introduced several times; each time it was defeated in committee or was never even given a hearing. A bill dealing with increased penalties for fentanyl possession or distribution should also be on the table; this is killing New Mexicans every day. In fact, we are seeing more deaths from fentanyl than we see from anything else.
"I just don't understand why it took so long for the governor to realize that these issues must be dealt with, and now there is this urgency to deal with rising crime during an election season.
"If the governor and the progressives are finally concerned, then let's pull up the bills we introduced the last few years and get them passed. It should not take more than two days."
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State Rep. Kathleen Cates (District 44)
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"I believe that public safety is one of the most important issues facing New Mexico. The 30-day session is a sprint and not all bills can be fully discussed and voted upon, since the budget is the most important part of the session and takes up much of the time. The special session will give the Legislature an opportunity to consider some of these public safety bills, and the timing will allow legislators to be able to review the issues prior to the session."
