2-2-23 Alert

Good Afternoon, New Mexico Activists:

Two House Joint Resolutions about modernizing the legislature — increase the number of days, pay legislators a salary, and more — are coming up for a hearing on Monday. Written comments must be submitted before Friday at 8:30 a.m. These changes in our legislature can make an enormous difference in legislators’ capacity and effectiveness and give us a body that truly represents the people of our state.

If you missed yesterday’s Alert about Friday morning hearings on HB 4 Voting Rights Protections and HB 7 Reproductive & Gender-Affirming Healthcare Freedom, you can find it at this link.

On Mon., Feb. 6, 8:30 a.m., Room 305, House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs will hear HJR 2 Legislative Session Changes and HJR 8 Legislative Salaries. HJR 2 would amend the state constitution to lengthen the even-numbered session to 60 days (currently 30 days), allow bills of all subjects – not only revenue and budget bills or those deemed “germane” — and add a 5-day recess in the middle of each session. HJR 8 would amend the constitution to allow for legislative salaries and create a 9-member citizen commission to establish those salaries. We don’t have talking points yet, but you can learn about why our legislature needs these changes at this page from Common Cause.

You must email written comments at least 24 hours before the hearing (we assume to mean Friday at 8:30 a.m.?), to Angel Martinez at angel.martinez@nmlegis.gov and Patrick Gallegos at patrick.gallegos@nmlegis.gov. You can offer public comment in person at the hearing or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81850374006. One tap mobile: +12532050468, 81850374006# or +12532158782, 81850374006# Webinar ID: 818 5037 4006. Or watch the hearing Webcast at this link.

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee

Copy and paste for bulk email: “Janelle Anyanonu” <Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov>, “John Block” <John.Block@nmlegis.gov>, “Gail Chasey” <gail@gailchasey.com>, “Natalie Figueroa” <natalie.figueroa@nmlegis.gov>, “Dayan Hochman-Vigil” <dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov>, “D. Wonda Johnson” <dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov>, “Charlotte Little” <Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov>, “William “Bill” R. Rehm” <bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov>, “Martin R. Zamora” martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov

Join us at 6 tonight for our Zoom Webinar on the Green Amendment! Register at this link.

Thank you, everyone, for your commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice in our state!

In Gratitude & Solidarity,

Roxanne and Paul

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