At the Roundhouse: Election Talk

Probably the biggest Legislature deal this weekend: a joint hearing on 2012 election problems, voters invited.

Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, the House Voters and Elections Committee and the Senate Rules Committee will listen to citizens concerns, although speakers will be limited to two minutes each.

The hearing also will be webcast. Here’s the link: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/webcast/default_session.aspx

Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, chairwoman of the House committee, said she “would like to hear from anyone who had problems during registration, early voting, absentee voting and Election Day voting.”

My prediction: An earful.

Next time around: Are Democrats going to be able to send Republican Gov. Susana Martinez popular legislation they think she would be forced to veto, putting her on the hot seat with voters in 2014?

How about a statewide minimum wage increase?

Decreased penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana?

New inducements to the film industry to make more movies and TV shows in New Mexico?

Maybe a 1 percent pay increase for state employees?

This is not to say Democratic efforts for these issues are cynical across the board. Many lawmakers think the legislation is needed and would help New Mexicans. But I suspect legislative strategists are contemplating the consequences for the governor. (You can find stories about all of those proposals right here, by the way).

It’s your guess what bills Democrats might try to force the governor’s hand on. It’s certainly growing speculation around here.

The presumption is that Martinez will seek a second term in 2014.

Yes, her last Journal Poll job performance rating was 69 percent approval. (Journal Poll). But vetoes of things like a minimum wage increase could rally the opposition.

It also might put the shoe on the other foot.

Republicans in previous sessions tried to get Democratic votes on the record — on issues like repeal of driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants — to make lawmakers out of step with popular views uncomfortable come voter review time. Democrats accused them of pushing “wedge issues.”

Democrats seem more solidly in control of at least the state House this year, despite the governor’s efforts in Election 2012 to improve her numbers there.

Meanwhile, those House Democrats seem really busy trying to find her some new footwear.