Santa Fe Republicans Are Forlorn But Not Completely Shut Out; Voices Heard On Guns And Guv Health Measure, Plus: PRC Commissioner O'Connell; Too Conflicted To Serve?

Rep. Armstrong

The minority Republicans are forlorn this legislative session, on the outside looking in on almost all the important issues of the day. But their conservative views on gun control resonate with enough Dems to put most of those bills on the endangered list. And since they have essentially become the party of rural New Mexico, the GOP can also squeeze into the action on this major legislative item from the Governor--the $200 million Rural Health Care Delivery Act (SB7). 

The sponsors are lawmakers with large rural populations, Dem Sen. Liz Stefanics and GOP Rep. Gail Armstrong. The measure passed its first test Monday, winning bipartisan approval from the senate's health committee. 

Typically such a big spending measure might earn a thumbs down from the R's but not this time. Says Armstrong of rural District 49 that includes Socorro County and environs: 

As a representative from the largest district in New Mexico, I can attest to the struggles rural New Mexicans face in finding comprehensive health care. I am glad to work in a bipartisan manner to establish a fund dedicated to improving the health and well-being of rural New Mexicans.

Christina Campos, administrator of the Guadalupe County Hospital, fills in the blanks:

. . .It's not unusual for some citizens to travel over one hour to the nearest hospital. Seven of 33 counties have no hospital or emergency department, and these are all rural counties. These funds will support rural start-up hospitals while they get their finances in order, and will help other existing rural hospitals expand essential services for their communities. 

So the Democratic Governor, who was wiped out in much of rural NM in her November re-elect, is now drawing GOP support from that same region. This is an instance where smart legislation makes for some smart politics--for both sides--but especially Republicans who desperately need a path out of the darkness. The position on healthcare articulated by Armstrong could provide a light. 

GUNS UNITE GOP

Rep. Herndon

On gun control, the GOP base is united and so are their Santa Fe reps. Even on the relativity innocuous Bennie Hargrove Act (HB9), back for a second time and designed to hold parents responsible for the safe storage of guns in their homes, the R's stood their ground when the bill was approved Monday by the House Judiciary Committee, 7 to 4 It now heads to the full House. 

Still, the measure (HB 9), sponsored again by ABQ Dem Rep. Pamelya Herndon, may have been amended enough to get more moderate senate Dems to go along this year and make it the law. Wall-leaners inform us that if any gun control measure is going ot make it, this is the one. 

CHECKING THE GUVS

But if you want more bipartisan legislation from the Roundhouse here's another one coming down the pike:

Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Greg Baca cleared the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. The bill provides for legislative involvement in renewing or amending a governor’s public health order and emergency declaration. (The bill) requires legislative approval for public health orders and declarations after 90 days. The approval would be done by the Legislature, or if the Legislature is not in session, by a majority vote of the interim Legislative Council committee. The Legislative Council is comprised of Democratic and Republican members of the Senate and House.

MLG has received largely positive reviews for her handing of the Covid emergency, at least the voters seemed to think so. But putting a check on executive power in such emergencies in the future is a must-do for the Legislature. Look for this one to make it to her desk, and hopefully her pen will have plenty of ink when it does. 

O'CONNELL'S CONFLICT

O'Connell

This only reinforces the judgment that this gubernatorial appointment to the Public Regulation Commission (PRC), riddled with conflicts of interest, should never have happened. 

PRC appointee Patrick O'Connell recused himself from involvement in the proposed merger of Avangrid with Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM). O'Connell faced calls to recuse himself after being appointed to the commission in December, having given sworn testimony in support of the merger. He also worked for PNM from 1999 to 2019. Mariel Nanasi, executive director of the advocacy group New Energy Economy, expressed support of O'Connell's recusal. "Commissioner O'Connell did the right thing to recuse himself because the law is clear that when there is an actual conflict of interest a Commissioner must recuse." The merger was denied by the previous commission, which was an elected body until this year. The matter now is before the state Supreme Court. 

This leaves unanswered the question of whether the public deserves three new PRC commissioners who can fully participate in the public's business. O'Connell worked for PNM, the most significant company regulated by the PRC. There would seem to be many more "conflicts" to come unless action is taken. A resignation would be in order--or a rejection of the appointment by the state senate.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023