GOP bid to force vote on emergency powers bill fails - Albuquerque Journal

GOP bid to force vote on emergency powers bill fails

A bill that would curb the governor’s emergency powers was the subject of Wednesday debate on the Senate floor. Senate Democrats ultimately rebuffed a GOP attempt to force a vote on the bill, which has been awaiting a vote on the chamber floor for several weeks. (Eddie Moore/Journal)

Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE – A push by Senate Republicans to force a vote on a bill curbing the New Mexico governor’s emergency powers was stymied Wednesday by majority Democrats.

The bill, Senate Bill 74, has been awaiting a vote on the Senate floor agenda for nearly three weeks after passing its two assigned committees with bipartisan support.

Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca, R-Belen, who made the motion to force a vote on the bill, insisted the move was not driven by partisan animus against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat whose handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted debate among New Mexicans.

“If we cannot debate the issue, then we are impotent and we have ceded our authority to another branch of government,” Baca said during Wednesday’s floor debate.

Lujan Grisham told reporters last month she would veto bills limiting the governor’s emergency powers by giving the legislative branch a greater role in decision-making.

Specifically, she said, measures such as the one requiring legislative approval to extend a public health order beyond 45 days could make it harder for a governor to respond quickly to emergency situations, such as the ongoing pandemic that has killed more than 3,800 New Mexicans.

But the governor also said at the time that she did not believe the emergency powers bills proposed during this year’s 60-day session would ultimately be passed by legislators. “I don’t think I’ll have to veto any bills – I don’t think they get upstairs,” she said.

After the GOP attempt to force a vote on the emergency powers bill was rejected Wednesday on a party-line vote, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, was noncommittal about whether it would be brought up for debate before the session ends March 20.

“It’s an important discussion about separation of powers that needs to happen,” said Wirth, who decides which bills are brought up for floor votes. “No decision has been made with respect to timing.”

Under New Mexico’s current law, public health orders expire automatically after 30 days – if they’re not ended sooner – but can be renewed by the governor an unlimited number of times.

COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Lujan Grisham administration’s public health orders have been among the nation’s most stringent. The current order requires the wearing of face masks in public settings and sets business occupancy limits county by county.

Several lawmakers have said a 2003 emergency response law, in particular, ceded broad authority to the governor, adding that they never expected public health orders to remain in place for a year – or longer.

“As it stands now, we’re on the outside looking in,” said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque.

Home » Legislature News » Health / Covid Pandemic response » GOP bid to force vote on emergency powers bill fails

Insert Question Legislature form in Legis only stories




Albuquerque Journal and its reporters are committed to telling the stories of our community.

• Do you have a question you want someone to try to answer for you? Do you have a bright spot you want to share?
   We want to hear from you. Please email yourstory@abqjournal.com

taboola desktop

ABQjournal can get you answers in all pages

 

Questions about the Legislature?
Albuquerque Journal can get you answers
Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners.
1
Local food pantry reports big haul
ABQnews Seeker
The First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque ... The First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque said they'll are receiving enough food to support clients with food for weeks as part of the rewards ...
2
Chimayo man shot and killed on Sunday: Santa Fe ...
ABQnews Seeker
A 22-year-old man from Chimayo was ... A 22-year-old man from Chimayo was shot and killed at a residence where several people had gathered on Sunday night. Santa Fe County Sheriff's ...
3
APD: Man fatally shot in Downtown Albuquerque
ABQnews Seeker
A man was fatally shot in ... A man was fatally shot in Downtown Albuquerque early Monday morning. Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesman, said that officers were called to the area ...
4
Man charged in connection with fatal shooting of girlfriend
ABQnews Seeker
After the death of his 18-year-old ... After the death of his 18-year-old girlfriend in a Saturday-night shooting, Carlos Gonzalez, 24, was charged with 2nd degree murder.
5
Biz Bits: Albuquerque Business Journal
ABQnews Seeker
Biz Bits: Albuquerque Business Journal Biz Bits: Albuquerque Business Journal
6
Business Column: In financial matters, government role has upside ...
ABQnews Seeker
Politics is directly intersecting with the ... Politics is directly intersecting with the economy — macro, micro, public and personal — in a not-so-rare standoff in Washington, D.C.
7
A Craigslist ad led these locals to start a ...
ABQnews Seeker
Food is Free Albuquerque will begin ... Food is Free Albuquerque will begin its Farm and Orchard Gleaning Project in June
8
University of Wisconsin project seeks closure for New Mexico ...
ABQnews Seeker
Raoul Zavala was not supposed to ... Raoul Zavala was not supposed to be on the plane that day. ...
9
'Then you heard the next volley': Red River residents ...
ABQnews Seeker
Locals said they noticed on Thursday ... Locals said they noticed on Thursday and Friday that Bandidos and other motorcycle clubs were flaunting their colors throughout town during the rally. Bandidos, ...