Patience Tested In Last Days Of Session '21; Key Committee Chairs Eyeballed As They Exercise Prodigious Power, Plus: Ryan Flynn's Fall From Grace; Oil Leader Is Out, And: Haaland's House Farewell Gets Tearful

Sen. Cervantes

Tuesday, June 1 is the date for the special election to fill the US House seat left vacant by the resignation of Deb Haaland. From the SOS: 

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver will issue the special election proclamation for Congressional District 1 tomorrow, which will set Tuesday, June 1, 2021 as Election Day.

This is when patience grows thin as the key power players in Santa Fe exert the full extent of their power over important legislation as the precious days tick away. Just three of them are left now before Saturday's noon adjournment of Session '21. 

Among those players is Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Cervantes who is now in the center of the storm over legalizing pot and much more. Naturally, it's time to put the heat on the veteran Las Cruces Lawmaker: 

Sen. Cervantes  is currently holding 150 pieces of legislation without a hearing date. With just days left in the session, unless the bills are heard in committee they will effectively die. Among these bills are critical public health and environmental programs. Statewide environmental group Food & Water Watch will host a press conference with Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez to discuss the gross environmental injustice implied by Sen. Cervantes’ inaction. . . 

Cervantes, 60, has been at the Roundhouse for 20 years with service in both the House and Senate and now qualifies as an old bull. Bulls don't cotton to being prodded but that's the last resort in the last days of a legislative session.

"WHAT IF?" FOR DR. NO

Former Senator and Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, a legendary old bull, is alive and well and enjoying life in metropolitan Deming. But if "Dr. No" had shed this mortal coil surely he would be rolling around in his grave about now. Why?

A grand compromise has been struck over the proposal to tap the state's $22 billion Land Grant Permanent School Fund for early childhood education funds. The proposal, on the table for a decade, was repeatedly thwarted by Smith. However, at one point he did support a constitutional amendment for an annual withdrawal of a half-percent from the fund. But he never followed through. So what's happened? 

The plan now, approved in an historic 7-4 vote by Senate Finance under new Chairman George Munoz, is to appropriate 1.25 percent of the fund annually not only for early childhood but also for K- thru 12, with an emphasis on funding for at risk students, mostly of color. That amounts to over $210 million annually, potentially game-changing dollars for our state's future. 

The constitutional amendment gets to the Senate floor for the first time today after handily passing the House. Advocates will be glued to their zoom screens to watch the debate. We understand if John Arthur decides today is a good day for a long nap.

FLYNN'S FINAL CHAPTER

Flynn

Was Ryan Flynn, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, tossed overboard because he tried to help out the re-election bid of then southern Dem Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small? It appears so. 

Flynn tendered his resignation from NMOGA, arguably the most powerful trade group in the state, effective at week's end. As he headed for the exits he said it was "an honor to represent the organization over the past five historic, record-shattering years for our industry." But he did not announce another job and said that he was leaving for "personal reasons."

But the personal appears to be political.

Flynn ignited a firestorm in oil country and in the NMGOP last August when he publicly defended Rep. Torres Small as she faced Republican Yvette Herell in the 2020 election. That defense jolted oil executives who called for his resignation as did GOP Chairman Steve Pearce and top legislative Republicans who demanded Flynn's ouster in an op-ed. This was the statement from Flynn that sent them over the top:

Throughout her first term in Congress, (Torres Small) has been a strong advocate for our state’s energy interests and responsible production and has stood up to those in her party who want to completely ban fracking,

Flynn ducked for cover but the damage was done. The former environment secretary for Gov. Martinez was on his last legs. 

Flynn turned in a solid performance promoting oil and gas and its importance to the state's financial health during incredible bull and bear market cycles. But when he went deep into Dem territory he crossed his bosses. For the oil boys that was as painful as watching an oil price crash. La Politica claimed another victim and Ryan Flynn is now polishing his résumé. (He says he will not be running for political office.)

TEARS IN THE HOUSE 

Deb Haaland is going to miss serving in the US House. Five minutes into her six minute farewell speech the ABQ Dem congresswoman choked up as as she told the chamber:

I will miss all of you dearly.

She also said: 

Growing up, Native women rarely held federal leadership positions and now little girls everywhere will know that they can run for Congress and win and that this country holds promise for everyone. . .

Those little girls now also know that they can become Secretary of Interior, the position that Haaland will assume today after taking the oath of office.

As for the special election, the SOS announced Monday afternoon that it will be held Tuesday, June 1.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021