While you were at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque or enjoying a nice weekend throughout the state, legislators were in Santa Fe, at the Roundhouse for a special session.
Gov. Susana Martinez called the special session to deal with the gaping budget deficit that stretched over two budget years. But she also called for the special session to expand penalties on certain crimes.
The weekend was very eventful. The Senate passed eight bills related to the budget in twelve hours, then adjourned, putting the ball in the House’s court. Meanwhile, the House pushed for crime bills and passed two of them.
The House is working on their versions of the budget bills, which the Senate will likely hear when they come back later this week.
NM Political Report was there all weekend, and here are the stories we wrote from the special session (so far) in reverse order.
- Committee halts changes to budget cut bill to address concerns
- House passes expansion of three strikes law
- House committee rejects corporate tax cut delay
- House committees pass Senate bills, with one key amendment
- Expanded Baby Brianna’s Law clears House (Santa Fe New Mexican)
- Lawmakers point fingers during special session
- Senate passes budget bills, adjourns
- House committee passes three high-profile crime bills
- Committee passes bills to help bridge budget deficit
- Special session off to a testy start