Debate over House crime package turns political, as Republicans back away from plan

SANTA FE — The legislative debate over a crime package stuffed with bipartisan proposals has turned political.

House Republicans blasted the six-bill package Thursday as “window dressing” that falls short of New Mexicans’ expectations for addressing high violent crime rates.

“We need common sense solutions that are actually going to impact the crime that we see every day,” said House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, during a news conference.

Much of the GOP criticism focused on House Democrats’ decision not to include a bipartisan bill dealing with juvenile criminal offenders in the crime package.

Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, a former prosecutor, accused Democrats of blocking the bill’s progress despite support from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.

“I feel that Democrats just don’t want to include it and don’t want to listen to it at this point,” Reeb said during Thursday’s news conference.

After the GOP news conference, Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, the chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the juvenile offender bill, House Bill 134, could still advance during this year’s 60-day session.

“Are we open to that bill? Yes, of course we are,” Chandler told reporters.

“It wasn’t included (in the package) because, unlike all the bills that were included, it has not gone through the committee process,” she added.

But she also said some Democrats might be wary about stiffer criminal penalties for juveniles, saying, “We have to be very thoughtful about how we approach young people in the criminal justice system.”

Meanwhile, Chandler also expressed disappointment about the GOP opposition to the package.

She pointed out that several bills in the package, including a measure making it easier for law enforcement to get blood samples of motorists suspected of drugged driving, were filed by Republican lawmakers.

“We had expected bipartisan support, based on our consultations,” Chandler said.

In addition to the drugged driving proposal, the crime package also includes bills dealing with fentanyl trafficking, vehicle theft, school shooting threats and how New Mexico treats criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial.

After passing the House Judiciary Committee this week on a party-line vote, the package is expected to be voted on by the full House in the coming days.

Lujan Grisham, who has urged lawmakers to pass a slew of bills related to public safety during this year’s session, indicated Thursday she supports the package but isn’t satisfied.

“I support these bills and appreciate the House’s quick work on this public safety package — but New Mexicans are demanding more,” the governor said in a statement.

“Bills still pending in the Senate would address violent crime, gun crimes and serious issues related to juvenile offenders, but most are not yet scheduled for hearings,” Lujan Grisham added. “I hope the Senate will hear these bills soon and help us produce the most comprehensive and effective public safety package possible.”