Local legislators share priorities

The New Mexico Legislature begins noon Tuesday in Santa Fe.

The Legislature has two different types of sessions.

In odd years, the session runs 60 days and is full of legislation that encompasses nearly everything one could imagine.

In even years like 2012, the session is 30 days long and is limited mostly to the state budget. Any non-budget item needs pre-authorization from Gov. Susana Martinez.

We made attempts to contact area legislators — and were successful getting everybody except Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales; and Rep. George Dodge, D-Santa Rosa — and asked them about their legislation and their top priorities.

Here's what they told us:

Sen. Clint Harden, R-Clovis

District 7

His No. 1 priority: "I think it's just to get agreement in the details of this budget process. I think there are going to be some significant issues with higher ed (education), and how we're going to come up with the money necessary to implement social passing. That's how I term it; the issue of being able to hold children in the third grade back if they're not ready."

Pre-filed legislation: Two bills he's carrying for state departments — one on manufactured homes, another on reporting of boating accidents.

Contact: 505-986-4369 or [email protected]

Rep. Anna Crook, R-Clovis

District 64

Her No. 1 priority: "I've got a number of things that are important to my constituents. They're 95 percent against allowing illegals to have drivers licenses. Maybe we can see that to fruition. Of course, it's a mixed thing on retention of third-graders that can't read (at their grade levels). There's a lot less stigma on retaining a child at third grade and letting them get out in life not able to read."

Pre-filed legislation: Two. House Bill 55 would give $1 million to the state water trust board for projects. House Bill 57 deals with solar energy tax credits.

Contact: 505-986-4454 or [email protected]

Rep. Bob Wooley, R-Roswell

District 66

His No. 1 priority: We've got to balance the budget first, but the next thing has to be one of two things: Jobs in New Mexico and education. The governor's got her social promotion bill up, and the Democrats will have their social promotion bill.

Pre-filed legislation: Wooley is carrying one bill for the New Mexico National Guard to have all members receive veteran status — and requisite benefits like the GI Bill and ability to visit a Veterans Administration hospital — after their six-year terms expire. Current standards require 90 days of service outside of the country.

Contact: 505- 986-4453 or [email protected]

Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs

District 42

Her No. 1 priority: "My major concern going forward is to take a really close look at the education reform measures that are going to be presented. There are two pretty significant pieces we're going to take a look at. One I feel very comfortable with (social promotion), another I have to read between the lines (teacher/principal evaluation standards)."

Pre-filed legislation: None.

Contact: 505-986-4274 or [email protected]

Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico

District 67

His No. 1 priority: "Education reform is at the top of my list; it's something I care passionately about. We're working in a bipartisan manner to try to improve our schools (with a focus on) raising the bar further as we go further into the 21st century."

Pre-filed legislation: Roch has introduced a bill to equalize penalties for drunk boating resulting in injuries to those issued for drunk driving resulting in injuries. He is co-sponsoring a bill to grant a locomotive fuel tax deduction to Burlington Northern Santa Fe in exchange for infrastructure upgrades in the state.

Contact: 505- 986-4254 or [email protected]

Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales

District 27

Attempts to contact were unsuccessful.

Contact: 505-986-4702 or [email protected]

Rep. George Dodge, D-Santa Rosa

District 63

Attempts to contact were unsuccessful.

Contact: 505- 986-4255 or [email protected]