Post by pavel on Feb 13, 2016 1:52:45 GMT -6
SANTA FE – A bill aimed at adding New Mexico law enforcement officers to the state’s hate crimes law was derailed Friday at the Capitol, with critics questioning whether it was really needed.
But backers of the measure – which cleared the House last week on a 58-4 vote – said the killing of two police officers in the Albuquerque area recently showed the need for more teeth in state law.
“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement,” House Majority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, the bill’s sponsor, said after Friday’s vote. “I was hopeful we could provide an extra layer of protection to our law enforcement.”
The bill, House Bill 95, stalled Friday in the Senate Public Affairs Committee when a “do-pass” motion failed on a 4-5 party-line vote. All five Democrats on the panel cast “no” votes, while all four Republicans voted in favor. The vote means the bill is likely dead for the 30-day session that ends next week.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/723206/news/senate-panel-votes-down-hate-crimes-for-police-bill.html
But backers of the measure – which cleared the House last week on a 58-4 vote – said the killing of two police officers in the Albuquerque area recently showed the need for more teeth in state law.
“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement,” House Majority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, the bill’s sponsor, said after Friday’s vote. “I was hopeful we could provide an extra layer of protection to our law enforcement.”
The bill, House Bill 95, stalled Friday in the Senate Public Affairs Committee when a “do-pass” motion failed on a 4-5 party-line vote. All five Democrats on the panel cast “no” votes, while all four Republicans voted in favor. The vote means the bill is likely dead for the 30-day session that ends next week.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/723206/news/senate-panel-votes-down-hate-crimes-for-police-bill.html