Screenshot/LADP
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon623@gmail.com
For more than 50 years the League of Women Voters (LWV), often in conjunction with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), has presented the Legislative Preview prior to the opening session of the New Mexico Legislature.
This year the two organizations welcomed the three lawmakers who represent Los Alamos County, Rep. Christine Chandler, Sen. Leo Jaramillo and Sen. Roberto (Bobby) Gonzales. Jaramillo’s district includes the town site and Gonzales represents White Rock as part of his district.
Judy Prono moderated the event presented Thursday via Zoom.
Due to the pandemic, the plan for the House is to be held nearly all virtual, Chandler said. Speaker of the House Brian Egolf and some staff will be present at the Roundhouse and representatives may attend in person, but the session is closed to the public.
“It’s going to be difficult,” Chandler said. “Something is lost in communication.”
Chandler’s priorities include a bill mandating paid sick leave of 5-8 days a year, depending on the size of the company and a paid worker and family leave package. Employers and workers would pay into a trust fund that would cover part of the worker’s salary during an emergency under the package, she explained.
Another of Chandler’s priorities is changing the current law, which allows the State Engineer to grant a temporary lease of water rights before protests can be heard.
Chandler also supports legislation to raise the low income rebate, which has not been raised since 1998. The rate would be adjusted based on the consumer rate index once set, according to the bill.
Other priorities for Chandler include bills geared to bring high speed internet to the state, increasing the tobacco tax, funding early childhood education, decriminalizing abortion because of laws still on the books passed prior to Roe v. Wade and legalizing cannabis.
Gonzales served 24 years in the House before being appointed senator. He recently won reelection. He said that at the upcoming session, the Senate will vote and debate in person but committees will meet virtually.
Education is a top priority for Gonzales. He attended a presentation about Chamisa Elementary School’s COVID-19 accommodation and was very impressed, he said.
“The Chamisa staff has made lemonade with lemons,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales has five bills pre-filed and there will probably be another five, he said.
He is passionate about the Health Security Act, which would provide insurance to New Mexicans through the state.
“Every year we get closer,” Gonzales said. “Last year we funded a study and now we have the numbers.”
He is a sponsor of a bill to limit trapping on public land.
“It’s important and way overdue,” he said.
Gonzales also is involved with legislation to raise the gas tax one cent per gallon over a 10-year period. He champions funding for the AVID program in schools. AVID is a career readiness program, he explained.
Jaramillo sees a silver lining in the virtual nature of this session.
“More people can be involved in a virtual session,” he said.
Bills important to Jaramillo include housing legislation, a bill to protect victims from trauma, which would prevent child victims from having to confront the suspect during trial or repeat their story numerous times.
Protecting people of every sexual orientation, education, streamlining highway funding, tapping the Permanent Land Grant Fund for pre-K education, legalizing cannabis and protecting water rights are priorities for Jaramillo this session.
During the question and answer period of Thursday’s meeting, all three legislators said they want to see redistricting legislation before signing on, but support the concept of reform.
“Los Alamos County needs a solid voice,” Jaramillo said. “I want to make sure it [the proposed bill] empowers voters.”
All three support legislation to decriminalize abortion. Chandler noted that this would not require a constitutional amendment. None of the lawmakers support ranked choice elections at this time.
When asked about working across the aisle (all three are Democrats) the legislators were upbeat.
“I feel that a lot comes from leadership,” Gonzales said. “You can do more for our state with cooperation. You’ve got to have trust, and respect for each other.”
“On the ground, people talk to each other,” Chandler said. “Kibitzing builds relationships.”
This is Jaramillo’s first term and he said that senators from the other party have been very cordial and welcoming to him.
All three expressed interest in public banking, but will have to see what legislation is proposed. Reining in pay day lenders and lowering maximum interest rates are supported by all of them.
The lawmakers thanked the LWV and AAUW for putting on Thursday’s the event.
“This is a great way to start the session,” Gonzales said.
