Governor wants tax cuts, crackdown on crime in election year

“We have right now unimaginable financial resources,” Lujan Grisham said in her annual State of the State address. “When we have the money to do it all, let’s not limit ourselves.”

She also called for tougher penalties for some violent crimes and legislation aimed at keeping more people accused of violent crime behind bars while awaiting trial. Public defenders have cautioned pretrial release is not linked to increases in violent crime rates.

“We are going to pass a law this session that will keep violent criminals behind bars until justice can be done. We will put a wedge in the revolving door of violent crime in New Mexico,” said Lujan Grisham, who is seeking a second term in the fall election. The state House, where Democrats have a 45-24 advantage over Republicans, also is up for election in November.

Republican leaders noted that cracking down on crime has been among their top priorities for years and their legislative efforts have been rebuffed by the governor and the Democratic majority. They suggested Tuesday that the governor is rallying behind the issue only now because frustrated residents will be going to the polls this fall.

“For years past, when Republicans brought forth proposals that would have answered many of these problems, they were cast aside,” Senate Minority Floor Leader Greg Baca of Belen said.

The governor delivered her speech by webcast from her office, rather than the House floor, as a precaution against the coronavirus, while legislators of all political affiliations wore masks.

A blend of online and in-person deliberations are anticipated at the state Capitol, where proof of vaccination — and booster shots — are required for members of the public seeking entry. Legislators are exempt from some requirements.

“I’m proud of how we have responded to the crisis,” Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said as the session convened. “We have found ways to come together safely.”

Outside the Capitol building, a handful of sign-carrying protesters denounced vaccination requirements as infringements on individual freedoms. Republican Sen. Craig Brandt bristled at a restriction preventing senators from inviting children and other relatives onto the Senate floor for opening-day ceremonies, calling it “ridiculous.” House members were accompanied by family.

Many legislative proposals take aim at violence and urban crime and were stoked by outrage over a record-breaking year for homicides in Albuquerque in 2021.

“There is a massive amount of crime, a crisis in Albuquerque,” Egolf said in an interview. “It is caused by many different factors. That means we have to have multiple solutions. There’s no one answer.”

Lujan Grisham’s budget recommendations would set aside $100 million to help recruit, hire and retain law enforcement officers and staff across the state. A variety of enhanced sentences for gun-related crimes are under consideration.

Democratic legislators are drafting legislation that would expand access to voting, in coordination with Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat who oversees elections.

Legislators could decide to make Election Day a state holiday in New Mexico to encourage voting, with automated distribution of absentee ballots for residents who want to vote by mail or with drop-off ballots. The initiative counters a wave of new voting restrictions from Republican-led states.

New Mexico Republicans raised concerns Tuesday about several voting proposals, including a provision to allow voting at age 16 in local elections. They also said some counties have more people on their voter rolls than they do residents and suggested voters should be required to present identification at the polls.

Several Lujan Grisham initiatives take aim at transforming energy production and climate-related regulations in the nation’s No. 2 state for oil production. Her administration’s top environmental regulators are seeking $2.5 million for a new “climate change bureau” to oversee efforts to reduce emissions.

The bureau also may oversee forays by businesses into hydrogen production in New Mexico, using natural gas to make hydrogen, as the federal government jump-starts the industry with $8 billion in dedicated infrastructure spending. Legislators are pushing to approve local financial incentives to increase support for the efforts.

State economists foresee a $1.6 billion general fund surplus for the year that runs from July 2022 to June 2023, in excess of current spending obligations. Budget proposals from the governor and legislative leaders would increase annual state general fund spending by about $1 billion to nearly $8.5 billion.

The roughly 14% spending boost would shore up public school budgets and access to health care as the federal government winds down pandemic-related subsidies to Medicaid, the program that gives free health care to the needy.

Pay raises of at least 7% are proposed for public education workers and for most state government workers. The pay raises include higher minimum salaries for teachers and hefty pay and retention increases for state police officers.

Without federal funding, Baca suggested New Mexico won’t be able to sustain such high levels of spending over time.