Wednesday, March 24, 2021Still Complicated And Politically Treacherous; Conflciting Whip Counts As Special Session On Legal Pot Nears, Plus: Too Flippant On Trapping? And: A Morale(s) Boost
The House is on board with the pot plan but there continues to be conflicting whip counts on where the 42 member state Senate stands and where legal weed died last week at the close of the regular sixty day session. Much of the count going forward would seem to hinge on the Guv's dealmaking acumen. That could include veiled threats to veto capital outlay money awarded this session to each state legislator for use in their districts. It could also include bunches of carrots not just sticks. Besides the bargaining there is the apparent yawn the special is being greeted with by the public. They aren't exactly beating down the doors of the Roundhouse (even if they could get through the fence) clamoring for more pot. The clamor is coming more from special interest groups--those who would benefit from the increased sales, the national legalization advocates and this Governor who for reasons not entirely clear believes legal weed will mark a turning point in state economic development. But with well over 100,000 New Mexicans already getting easy-to-get medical marijuana cards and the black market taking care of the rest of the demand, many pot users are pacified and fine with the status quo. The pot legislation is complex and its ramifications uncertain. That's why it did not pass a Democratic legislature. If the Guv does run into trouble after a week of arm twisting, a fall back position could be to increase from a half ounce to one ounce the amount of marijuana possession that is decriminalized and also pass an expungement bill that removes the records of those convicted under current possession laws. That will be dismissed out of hand by the Governor and her staff and the pro-pot groups but it all comes back to that crucial whip count. Whose bluffing and who isn't? What do you have to give to get? It's treacherous territory with only a short time to navigate. Back up plans, no matter how much they may puncture egos, are in order for all sides involved. TOO FLIPPANT? Kerrie Romero, executive director of the NM Council of Outfitters and Guides, writes from Stanley: Trapping is a tool that is used by every single wildlife management agency in the country. Trapping continues to be used in the reintroduction efforts of the Mexican Gray Wolf. And trapping is the only reason New Mexico has a healthy population of river otters. Just like the NMDGF uses hunters and anglers to manage game and fish populations, recreational trapping is used to manage furbearer populations. A ban on recreational trapping does not mean trapping stops. It only means the full cost burden of wildlife management will fall on the shoulders of the Game and Fish rather than the furbearer license holder.
The only reason this bill cleared both chambers is because NM has a high amount of urban legislators who are more susceptible to persuasion through emotional arguments than they are to scientific facts. The passage of this bill was just another glaring example of the growing rural vs urban divide in our state. And I, for one, hope the governor vetoes this attack on agriculture, real life wildlife conservation, and NM's outdoor recreation economy of which recreational trappers are included. MORALES BOOST  Fortunately, their fighting abilities were not needed as the Roundhouse was quiet with most lawmakers conducting business virtually. There was also a fence erected to keep out unwanted visitors that drew its share of critics. As Lt. Governor, Morales presides over the state Senate during legislative sessions. This year one of the highlights was a heavily publicized spat between Dem Senators Daniel Ivey Soto and Mimi Stewart. Morales took some heat for letting the confrontation go on too long. If it happens again, maybe they'll have to call in the Guard to keep the peace. This is the home of New Mexico politics. Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021 |
 
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