Legislative roundup — Feb. 16

Days remaining in session: 2

Bulky

The Senate Rules Committee on Monday delayed a vote on creating a state ethics commission because members want to change parts of the proposed constitutional amendment.

The main complaint is that the measure is so bulky and detailed that it wouldn't fit cleanly in the New Mexico Constitution. Rules Committee members said they would take up the proposal again Tuesday in an extra meeting.

Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, said much of what is in the amendment should be edited and then covered through the enabling legislation. For instance, he said, a provision giving the commission subpoena power does not belong in the constitution. He called the proposal "very wordy."

Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, is sponsoring the measure. He says the appointed commission would investigate complaints against the executive and legislative branches of government, lobbyists and state contractors. No anonymous complaints would be accepted. Anyone accused of an ethical violation would have a chance to respond before the complaint was made public, Dines said. Complaints that the commission deemed "frivolous" would be exposed.

The proposal would go on the fall general election ballot if it's approved by the Senate and House of Representatives. The House already has voted for the measure, but it likely will be amended by senators.

Fact check

Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque, said Monday during a floor debate that tax rebates for the film industry take money away from low-income people. His claim is incorrect.

Filmmakers and television production companies that film in New Mexico receive a tax rebate of 25 or 30 percent on qualified production expenses. The money, though, is generated by their productions doing business in the state and putting set crews and extras to work. The state wouldn't have any of that money without the productions.

Moores made his comment during discussion of a memorial by Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, which asks that the state maintain the property where the television series Manhattan was shot. Moores voted against the memorial, which has no force of law.

Teacher rally

About 200 teachers and education supporters showed up for a noon rally Monday at the Roundhouse to protest what they say is excessive testing and the use of test results for teacher evaluations, as well as to support Senate Joint Resolution 3, which could pour another $100 million a year from the state's permanent fund into public education.

The resolution, which cleared the Senate on a vote of 23-19 Sunday, still requires approval by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives before the proposal would be put to voters in November. Voters would be asked to decide whether to amend the constitution to change the endowment's allocation for public schools to 5.8 percent from 5 percent starting in January 2017.

"It's the only game in town for more money for schools," Charles Bowyer, executive director of the teacher union NEA-New Mexico, said of the resolution, which is sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque. Bowyer said he expects the resolution to have "a tough road."

Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Logan, said he doesn't believe the measure would make it through the House, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 37-33.

Quote of the day

"If you hear things are bad up here... it's probably worse than you think." — Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, speaking to a coalition of teachers and union groups about the state's budget crisis.

— The Santa Fe New Mexican