Roosevelt County Chamber’s
Legislative Report
Jan. 23, 2019
Session hits stride
It’s going to be a long two months but legislators got settled in for the long haul this week by getting HB-1, called the Feed Bill through both Houses by Wednesday. The Governor will quickly sign the $1.18 million appropration to pay the expenses of lawmaking during the session.
A group of bills called the “Rocket Docket” was moving quickly toward the Governor’s desk as well. The bills that make up the docket were bills passed through both Houses in the last year or two that were vetoed by former Gov. Susanna Martinez. The idea is that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will quickly sign those bills. They are being fast-tracked with little committee review and will supposedly show how smoothly the legislature is working.
One of those bills that seemed to disappoint both sides of the aisle when it wasn’t signed last year was a measure that will allow teachers to actually use their full sick leave without suffering damage to their evaluation.
Teacher pay raises moving quickly
SB-47, a measure to raise starting teacher pay from $36,000 to $40,000 in 2020 is already out of the Senate Education Committee. The bill would increase starting pay to $45,000 by 2022. Level 2 teachers would see pay rise to $50,000 and $55,000 by 2022.
Changes in length of the school year are still being debated with many of the larger districts saying they’re OK with changes according to the Albuquerque Journal as long as increased funding is provided. Up to a 10-day increase in the calendar is being considered.
Minimum wage hearing overflows
In early hearings for the proposal that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $10 an hour was “jam-packed” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. There were reportedly more people outside wanting in than were seated inside. Yet House leadership didn’t move the meeing to larger quarters. HB-31 would increase the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2021 and seeks to remove the exemption of tipped employees, such as waiters and waitresses from being included in the minimum wage. Restaurant and bar owners are watching this one closely as should all small business owners.
Gas tax increase proposed
HB-6 proposes multiple changes to taxes, mostly higher, in the Democrats’ version of tax code restructuring. The thing that’s drawing the most fire from Republicans is the 10 cent per gallon increase in the gasoline tax. The bill also seeks to tax online retailers and non-profit hospitals. This one might not go so easily once the people start logging their voice on raising prices at the pump.
Anti gun control rally planned
Gun rights advocates were mustering midweek in Santa Fe to hold a rally to try and hold the line on gun rights. Several bills proposing gun control measures were opening in committee on Thursday.
Legislative Appreciation next week
The Roosevelt and Curry County Chambers will hold their annual Legislative Appreciation Dinner Monday night in Santa Fe. Our Chamber will also represent our area along with ENMU at the Santa Fe Chamber Legislative reception that afternoon. We’ll also ply legislators’ offices at the Roundhouse with Portales peanuts on Tuesday morning. We’ll post you on what happens next week.
