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Top five myths of the 49th Legislative Congress
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
As we begin the most crucial legislative session that New Mexico has seen in decades, I would like to take the time to dispel a few rumors.
• Myth 1: Your legislators don’t get along.
While the differences between Republicans and Democrats can be stark, especially this session, the truth remains that we all want to support education, create an environment for businesses to flourish, and reform our justice system to better protect the innocent.
I am confident that these common goals will inspire compromise and, in turn, yield some of our best decisions.
• Myth 2: There is only room for one party.
The legislative process allows for two voices, not just a rubber-stamp legislature. It is through careful evaluation of bills and thoughtful drafting of amendments that good legislation comes to fruition.
While it is true that the 25 of us cannot set the agenda, we will serve New Mexicans this session by concentrating on solutions to our most pressing problems in a bi-partisan manner. The Transparency In Government Act is just one example of a substantive bill that is expected to have widespread support.
Tom Taylor
• Myth 3. The budget crisis will work itself out.
Unemployment remains high in New Mexico, while tax revenues have declined since 2008. This cycle of economic downturn is clearly especially long. The decision regarding taxation and spending will make an enormous impact on our economy.
We cannot continue to rely on federal bailouts. The administration has increased the growth of government by more than 41 percent in the last seven years while population growth has increased only by 6 percent.
The only way to improve is to acknowledge the figures as they are, instead of using credit cards and Band Aids. We must think of the future.
• Myth 4. Constituents can’t do anything at this point.
It is important that you stay informed, and share your opinions with your legislators. In addition to comprehensive reporting from our media outlets, you will be offered more direct coverage of session proceedings than ever before.
At the Republican House Legislative Caucus, for instance, we plan to webcast many of the floor sessions and committee hearings. This year, we will also feature blogs from members of the caucus, and communicate regularly on Twitter and Facebook.
Call your legislators, write letters-to-the-editor, talk to your friends and family in New Mexico and encourage them to do the same. State government operates best when it listens to the ideas of its citizens.
• Myth 5. This session is about legacy.
Governors are evaluated by their entire tenure, not just the last legislative session. The administration has already defined itself with massive government growth and little action in the face of declining revenues. In the midst of this strident fiscal crisis, now is not the time for the governor to broaden the agenda for his own legacy.
This legislature is poised to work together to move forward and put New Mexico on track for a more prosperous tomorrow.
Taylor, a Republican House member from Farmington, is the minority leader.
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Rep Taylor I had the privilege to listen to you speak this morning at the ACI breakfast, you by far were the most compelling. Richardson and Denish droned on about how great everything is and how NM has such an business friendly environment. As a small business owner I would like to argue that point. This state is a very difficult place to run a business. Anyway, you were by far the most honest and upfront about the current environment without being too depressing!! Thank you.
Speaking of #5, Old Bill has already said he wants his legacy to be that state employees think he is the best governor in the history of NM. That legacy is intact, as he has resisted every effort to cut government waste, corruption, and unnecessary employees and agencies. The unions win this one, that is Bill’s legacy, and this last session is all about that too. Another Taylor alleged myth that i actually a fact, his % of right answers is dwidling fast.
Hemmingway, I believe that the legislators have already passed bills that require the lobbyists to (1) register, (2) wear ID’s that state whom they are lobbying for, and (3) when speaking in committes, to identify themselves as lobbyists for whatever group.
I remember the last time the Health Security Act was in committee, there was a distinct lowering of temperature in the room every time a lobbyist for the for-profit health industry got up to speak.
Rep. Taylor, this is a really fine piece. I might quibble a little about #5. We’ve already cut gov’t by $700 million, and if you take away money put into the classroom, which most all of us support, gov’t grew slower than the economy overall during the last 7 years.
But on balance I think you make great points in this column, and I hope that legislators in both parties will adopt your warm bipartisan, transparent approach to solving our budget crisis in a balanced and thoughtful way. Well done! –Carter
I want to make a modest proposal for the consideration of the New Mexico state legislature. It will require all lobbyists to register immediately. That is only the first step. Then the lobbyists would be offered a choice of leaving the state quietly under their own steam or riding out on a rail wearing a coat of tar and feathers, courtesy of the New Mexican taxpayer:)
#4 is NOT a myth, it is a fact. Last session I sent 45 emails and 25 phone messages to my representatives about various bills. I received 2 replies. Constituents (the true bosses of the rabble in SF) have no input, no power, no voice. Only lobbyists and activists have any impact, that is a fact.
I’d be more impressed if Taylor had listed 3 or 4 bills he likes, with a bipartisan flavor, instead of just one Republican sponsored bill–even though it is one that I think was initiated by Lt. Governor Denish.
I wish we could trust more Republicans, and Democrats, for that matter, to be as straightforward as this particular piece of legislative literature. Representative Taylor seems to be correct in his assertions of the necessity for accountability and transparency. Let’s see if the rest of those 112 members of the New Mexico Legislature will go along with Representative Taylor. We’ll see you on the web.