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Thursday, February 16, 2006
Paper Ballot Bill Among Those that Clear Legislature in Final Hours
By Susan Montoya Bryan/
Associated Press
SANTA FE — Lawmakers approved a flurry of bills in the final hours of the session that ended Thursday, including a measure that would impact voters across the state by requiring all counties to use paper ballot systems.
Voters would fill in spaces on the ballots for the candidates they wanted, then feed ballots into a tabulation machine. Gov. Bill Richardson advocated the system, saying it would help rebuild public confidence in elections.
House Voters and Elections Chairman Edward Sandoval, D-Albuquerque, said the nation was built on the public's right to vote and have those votes count.
The bill "will make people feel more comfortable that their vote does count and it won't be lost or go someplace else,'' he said.
Supporters contend paper systems are more reliable, provide better information for post-election auditing and may be easier for some voters to use.
The 2000 and 2004 presidential elections fueled a national debate over electronic voting machines and whether they are subject to tampering that could alter votes.
But critics said paper systems have their own problems.
House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs, R-Albuquerque, called the legislation a "terrific error.''
"It's a step backward in this state,'' he said. "Paper ballots are expensive and they're more susceptible to fraud.''
In addition to causing delays, Sen. Dianna Duran, R-Tularosa, said the requirement for paper ballots would leave the state "captive to a single voting system provider'' and eliminate meaningful competition among vendors.
The switch from the current mix of systems in New Mexico's 33 counties would have to be made as soon as enough money is made available to the counties.
Along with paper ballot legislation, lawmakers passed a capital improvement package that provides $11 million to buy needed tabulation equipment and help counties switch to the paper system.
Among other proposals sent to the governor:
_Capital improvement projects totaling $762 million. Included is $100 million for the spaceport over three years.
_Nearly $144 million worth of capital improvements for universities, colleges, senior citizen centers and libraries. The measure authorizes general obligation bond financing that will be subject to voter approval in the November general election.
_Repeal of a tax on nursing home care. The state imposes a nearly $9-a-day surcharge on each occupied bed at nursing homes and at intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded people. The governor asked lawmakers to repeal the politically unpopular tax.
_A measure allowing New Mexicans to obtain discounted prescription drugs, using a program that the Retiree Health Care Authority contracts for through a group plan.
_A bill allowing people to establish advance directives about their mental health care and designate someone to act on their behalf if they can no longer make decisions regarding needed services or treatment preferences.
_A new tax break designed to lure more filmmakers and more companies producing television series to New Mexico. The bill combines existing credits that offer up to 20 percent in tax breaks and adds a new 5 percent credit for certain projects.
_A tax credit designed to supplement a federal credit for the installation of solar thermal or photovoltaic systems. Taking advantage of both credits would allow homeowners or businesses to recoup up to 30 percent of the cost of a solar powered system.
_Help in financing the construction of public schools in high-growth areas. The bill revises an existing financing program to allow the state to advance a school district the full cost of high-priority local school projects.
_A proposed constitutional amendment to establish the water trust fund as an interest-earning permanent fund, which would provide a yearly distribution of at least $4 million for water projects. Voters would decide on the amendment in the November general election.
_A measure making clear that certain licensing transactions involving out-of-state companies are subject to the state's gross receipts tax. The bill is to plug a potential $13-million-a-year hole created by a recent state Supreme Court ruling in a tax dispute involving national retailer Kmart Corp.
_A bill lifting the gross receipts tax on mutual and hedge funds located in New Mexico. The goal is to remove the tax from management fees paid to operate a fund and to encourage financial firms to relocate to the state.
_A prohibition on prospective government contractors giving campaign contributions or "anything else of value'' during the procurement process to state or local officials involved in awarding the contract. The measure is part of an anti-corruption package developed by the governor after a kickback scandal in the state treasurer's office. The restrictions also would apply to a family member or representative of the contractor.
_A requirement that DNA samples be taken from adults when they're arrested for certain felonies. The bill was dubbed "Katie's Law,'' in memory of slain New Mexico State University student Kathryn "Katie'' Sepich.
_Authorization for the state Department of Public Safety to fire state police officers accused of misdeeds rather than keep them on the payroll while they appeal their cases. The bill stems from the cases of six officers who were placed on leave but continued get paid and receive raises under the department's current discipline procedure.
_A compulsive gambling council that would develop and implement a strategy for prevention and treatment.
_Authorization for the State Game Commission to set higher civil penalties for hunters who illegally kill trophy animals. Game officials hope higher penalties would deter poaching.
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