Post by pavel on Feb 18, 2016 7:46:36 GMT -6
Some of the tough-on-crime House bills preferred by Gov. Susana Martinez likely will not reach her desk, as the legislative session ran down to its last hours Wednesday night with many of them still in Senate committees. But the full Senate did pass a few key proposals in a tense, late-night session.
Early in the 30-day session, House Republicans took a cue from Martinez’s State of the State speech, offering a budget that prioritizes public safety spending. Citing high-profile crimes, particularly in the Albuquerque area, Republicans also quickly sent proposals through GOP-controlled House committees that would toughen criminal sentences for a range of crimes, including repeat drunken-driving offenses, possession of child pornography and child abuse.
Democrats have said such proposals are politically motivated and meant to distract voters from New Mexico’s economic woes, as all 112 seats in the Legislature will be up for re-election in November.
A bill that would toughen sentences for DWI offenders, proposed by Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes, R-Albuquerque, passed the Senate on a 34-2 vote. But dissenting from the bill, Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said New Mexico should be putting more money into treatment programs.
Read more: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/many-house-crime-bills-languishing-in-senate-committees/article_1e423b8e-8064-5c9b-9ebc-51a1bacf5eb6.html
Early in the 30-day session, House Republicans took a cue from Martinez’s State of the State speech, offering a budget that prioritizes public safety spending. Citing high-profile crimes, particularly in the Albuquerque area, Republicans also quickly sent proposals through GOP-controlled House committees that would toughen criminal sentences for a range of crimes, including repeat drunken-driving offenses, possession of child pornography and child abuse.
Democrats have said such proposals are politically motivated and meant to distract voters from New Mexico’s economic woes, as all 112 seats in the Legislature will be up for re-election in November.
A bill that would toughen sentences for DWI offenders, proposed by Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes, R-Albuquerque, passed the Senate on a 34-2 vote. But dissenting from the bill, Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said New Mexico should be putting more money into treatment programs.
Read more: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/many-house-crime-bills-languishing-in-senate-committees/article_1e423b8e-8064-5c9b-9ebc-51a1bacf5eb6.html