Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2014
Senate Democrats 2014 Legislative Session Highlights
Santa Fe, NM – This short, 30-day session resulted in the introduction and passing of legislation that tackled important issues like minimum wage, education, water, behavioral health and early childhood programs. Democratic Senate members came out in full swing this year, with a full legislative agenda. The most remarkable of all was putting together a proposed budget, traditionally originated in the House, and unanimously passing that budget in a 20 minute debate, in the last week of session.
The Senate budget includes an amended proposal of $17.5 million appropriated to the Department of Education for the Administration’s education reforms; $11.5 million for New Mexico’s Lottery Scholarship; $28 million for early childhood initiatives; $2.7 million for a tourism department marketing program; $1.5 million for job training and recruitment; $5.9 million for expanding nursing education; and $9 million for county Medicaid programs. Overall, funding for education increased 6.6 percent for public schools and 5.8 percent for higher education. The budget still leaves a reserve in the General Fund of one half of a billion dollars, which is over 8 percent.
Other Senate highlights included passing a fair lottery scholarship solvency bill without raising taxes, which although was amended by the House to make cuts to the fund, needed to be passed in order to assure that more students would not be hurt by continuing fund depletion; passing a minimum wage constitutional amendment, which although died in the House, will better prepare Democrats to take on similar legislation next year; tackling issues in our Public Education Department, by imposing restrictions on state interference in schools and focusing on giving local control back to school districts; tightening up laws on texting while driving; promoting transparency by hosting public meetings with state agency officials in Senate Committees; requiring the Children, Youth and Families Department to report to the Legislature as well as encouraging students to pursue degrees in social work; and many other bills requiring investment into programs and communities throughout the state.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia) says he is pleased with the outcome of this year’s session and is anxious to learn about the administration’s handling of each piece of legislation. “Everyone did not get exactly what they wanted, which is a good sign that the actions taken this year were met with compromise by legislators on both sides of the aisle,” said Sen. Sanchez. “I think we were fair, considerate, and we did our best to listen to our constituents and fight for their wants and needs.”
To see a complete list of bills and their status, click here.
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