2/9 Legislative tidbits

Days remaining in session: 9

Funding for elections

Secretary of State Mary Herrera is warning lawmakers that her office won’t have the cash for the primary and general elections under the current budget being debated. In a letter to David Abbey, head of the Legislative Finance Committee, Herrera said it appears the recommendation by the committee, which was included in the budget, would leave the office $467,800 short for the primary and $784,450 for the general election.

“The New Mexico Legislature continues to not appropriate sufficient money to meet the statutory obligations of the Secretary of State’s office pertaining specifically to elections,” she wrote.

House OKs banking bill

The House on Monday unanimously approved a measure (HB 66) sponsored by Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, to withdraw the state’s general fund cash from Bank of America and put it in smaller, community banks.

The measure moves to the Senate for consideration.

Domestic violence measure: The House has approved legislation (HB 17) that prohibits domestic violence offenders from becoming law-enforcement officers within three years of a violation. The bill also means police who commit such offenses could lose certification.

“This bill brings the New Mexico Law Enforcement Act into compliance with federal law and expands on the law to include violence on all household members, including aggravated stalking and damage of property,” said Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, the measure’s sponsor. “Right now if a police officer is convicted of domestic violence, they’re not allowed to carry a gun or serve as a policeman for a three-year period. This is a progressive step in fighting domestic violence in this state, yet it acknowledges law enforcement as first responders and the difficult job they do have in carrying out their duties.”

Health education requirement

A bill (HB 44) introduced by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, would mandate students take a health education class before earning a diploma.

Already, 34 of the state’s 89 school districts require such a class.

“We cannot underestimate the importance of a child’s health to their overall well-being and success as a student. Health education is the content area that helps students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to achieve good health,” Garcia said in a statement

The measure calls for a half-unit in health education to replace a half-unit elective by the 2012-2013 school year. The Senate will consider the proposal.

Looking ahead

Today is diabetes awareness day at the Capitol. About 20 groups that advocate diabetes detection, prevention and education will be on hand in the Rotunda to discuss the disease and provide free information to the public. Members of the groups also will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to “bring greater awareness about the devastating impact diabetes is having on communities throughout New Mexico and to advocate for ongoing prevention initiatives.”

Expect a few lawmakers to take time away from their work at the Capitol today to file as candidates. Today is the deadline to file for the statewide offices that are open for election this year, including governor and lieutenant governor, state auditor and treasurer, attorney general, land commissioner and secretary of state.

Quote of the day

“I wouldn’t trust anyone on a committee to hold anything in confidentiality if their life depended on it. We’re all politicians.”

— Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, speaking against the attempt by the state Senate to override Gov. Bill Richardson’s veto of SB 531, which would give the Legislative Finance Committee the authority to obtain classified financial data from state agencies.