3-14-21 pm Alert

Which Bills Can Still Be Saved?

Dear New Mexico Activists:

This is the final week, and we have a number of bills that need our help to make it through. Below we report on which bills still need our help and, with that help, can pass. There are several on the House or Senate Floor that will undoubtedly pass, so we’re not asking you to act on those.

If you want to read about the status of all the Transformational and Priority bills on our list, go to this blog post for details about which passed, which are still likely to pass, which likely won’t make it, and which are dead.

Remember, at this point we’re contacting only Democratic Senators and Reps. It’s not worth our time and energy to contact Republicans because, with rare exception, votes are falling along party lines. And there’s no need to include talking points – the basic message is “Please pass this bill!”

HJR 1 Permanent Fund for Early Childhood is in Senate Finance today. It’s not too late to email Democratic committee members to ask them to retain at least a 1% increase in Permanent Funds to early childhood education and urge them to pass the bill. Contact info below.

HB 291 Tax Changes is in Senate Finance but not yet on the schedule. It is sure to be scheduled soon, but we’re waiting for an update from NM Voices for Children to know what kind of message we want to send. More about this one later…

Senate Finance Committee (SFC)

HB 47 Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act is scheduled today in Senate Judiciary. Please email Democratic committee members to urge them to pass this bill. Contact info below.

HB 12 Cannabis Regulation Act is in Senate Judiciary but has not yet been scheduled. Please email and call Democratic committee members to urge them to hear this bill and pass it! Contact info below.

HB 16 Rural Opportunities Act is also in Senate Judiciary. The Chair, Senator Cervantes, has said it will be heard on time to get to the Senate Floor for a final vote. But it won’t hurt to call and Democratic email committee members to make sure it’s heard and passed! Contact info below.

HB 111 Housing Discrimination Changes passed Senate Health & Public Affairs on Friday and is now in Senate Judiciary. It hasn’t been scheduled yet, so please email and call Democratic committee members to urge them to hear this bill and pass it! Contact info below.

Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC)

HB 20 Healthy Workplaces Act (paid sick leave) is scheduled to be heard today in Senate Tax, Business & Transportation. It’s not too late to email Democratic committee members and urge them to pass this bill.

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee (STBTC)

SB 66 Permitted Percentage Rates for Loans is scheduled to be heard in House Judiciary tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. There’s still time to email and call Democratic committee members to encourage them to pass this bill.

House Judiciary Committee (HJC)

SB 84 Community Solar Act passed House State Govt., Elections & Indian Affairs this morning, but it’s been significantly weakened by utility industry-friendly amendments. It will now go to the House Floor and is likely to pass, but we’re waiting to hear if there’s any last-minute strategy that might restore some of its integrity. More on this later…

That’s all for today. Your dedication to this process is invaluable. Thank you for sticking with it through the final week! Write to us any time at retakeresponse@gmail.com if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity, gratitude, and hope,

Roxanne and Paul

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