New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman's Blog

And the Campaigning Goes On

I'm walking the neighborhoods here in Senate District 13 and the wind keeps blowing.  I'm finding that most people opening the doors are still surprised to see a local office holder walking the neighborhood, and very responsive.  I'm handing them a survey, which many have filled out and returned.  Better schools and affordable health care are at the top of the wish list, so far, followed by concern about DWI.  No surprises so far, except for the amazing number and variety of dogs I've encountered. Little ones, big ones, barking ones, whimpering ones, yapping ones. Now I know what mail delivery people go through.  I should carry dog biscuits, no?

A hearty group of volunteers is walking with me on most weeknights and Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m.  Won't you join the fun? You have nothing to loose but a few pounds. Call Janie at 345-7612 or Helen at 610-9009.

And the partying goes on….  Sunday May 18 from 3-5 p.m.. some friends from the West Side are sponsoring a coffee in Taylor Ranch  (yes, I do represent a small sliver of this huge neighborhood!). It will be at the home of Jean and Jim Genasci, located at 6147 Tallsman Dr. NW.  You can get there by going West on Montano past Coors, right on Montano Plaza, left on Stockbridge to Tallsman.   Call Jean at 898-8644. Or just drop by.
 
If you can't come, I still need your help. Here's what you can do:
Volunteer (call Helen at 610-9009)?
Help Dede Walk  (call Janie at 345-7612)
Make a Donation at www.dedefeldman.com?

Put up a Yard Sign if you live in Senate District 13  (www.dedefeldman.com has a map of the district on the constituent page)

Campaign Update

I've been walking the precincts and ringing the doorbells in Senate District 13, with some interesting feedback.  The economy is now top of mind for most folks, with the war and even the national campaign secondary-although most voters are aghast at what Hillary and Obama are doing to the Dems chances in November.   A hearty group of volunteers is walking with me on most weeknights and Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m.  Won't you join the fun? You have nothing to loose but a few pounds. Call Janie at 345-7612 or Helen at 610-9009.

And the partying goes on….  Friday May 2 from 5-7 p.m. some Democratic friends from the mid North Valley are sponsoring a fundraiser  ($25-50 suggested or what ever you can do) at the home of Bob Ruth and Judy Griego Ruth at 3092 Rio Grande Blvd., one half block south of Candelaria on the West side of the street.  You can park along side streets.  There will be music, food and fun.  Drop by. 
If you can't come, I still need your help. Here's what you can do:
Volunteer (call Helen at 610-9009)
Help Dede Walk  (call Janie at 345-7612)

Make a Donation at www.dedefeldman.com
Put up a Yard Sign if you live in Senate District 13 
(www.dedefeldman.com has a map of the district on the constituent page)

Campaign Update and more

Campaign Update

In the short time since I launched this Primary campaign, I've been heartened by the support I've received from a growing group of volunteers and folks in Senate District 13-and beyond. With the election only seven weeks away  (June 3rd-don't forget) we are now rallying the troops to help walk some precincts, put up some signs and alert voters to the upcoming election. The first step, as always, is a PARTY.  It's a MIX AND MINGLE OPEN HOUSE at my house Sunday April 20th from 2-5 at 1821 Meadowview NW. Stop by to pick up yard signs, literature, sign up for tasks, and enjoy the community a campaign creates.  For directions and to RSVP, call 899-5715 or 459-5921. Kids are welcome.

If you can't come, I still need your help.  Here's what you can do:
Volunteer (call Helen at 610-9009)
Help Dede Walk  (call Janie at 345-7612)
Make a Donation at www.dedefeldman.com
Put up a Yard Sign if you live in Senate District 13  (www.dedefeldman.com has a map of the district)

Governor Still Wants Special Session on Health Care

Frustrated that Senators in a small working group appointed by President Pro Tempore Tim Jennings have not made much progress toward universal health care, Governor Richardson is upping the ante, threatening to call the session before June at the height of the Primary campaign season.  Senate leaders have cautioned delay  (of course) until after June revenue projections are out.  The figures are bound to be bleak, giving opponents of reform another reason to do nothing. But it's not all a matter of money.  There are plenty of insurance reforms we could be looking at, as well as efforts to address chronic diseases and find ways to save money through bulk purchasing of pharmaceuticals or better utilization of the programs we have in place. We'll be looking at some of those issues during interim hearings of the Health and Human Services Committee, which I chair, starting in July.  Stay tuned. I'm still hoping we can break the coverage impasse-probably sometime this summer.

Good News: You Can Now Dispose of Electronic Waste Easily

Got an old computer, or cell phone cluttering your garage?  The City now has instituted daily disposal of electronic waste (except TVs).  Just bring your stuff to the Eagle Rock Transfer Station near Alameda and I- 25 Monday -Friday.  It costs $3.50, but you don't have to wait for the semi annual events like the one held recently at the Baloon Fiesta Park, or earlier at Cottonwood Mall.   Call 311 for more information.

Yes, It’s True, I have an Opponent in the June Democratic Primary

            March 18 was candidate filing day for all members of the legislature and other offices up for election this year.  Much to my surprise, I have an opponent in the June Primary and… the race has now begun!

            Ever since I came to the legislature 12 years ago, I have been fighting for quality, affordable health care, campaign finance reform, consumer and environmental protection, and more recently, clean alternative energy.  And with your help, I will continue.

 

            The theme of my campaign this year is “A Leader who Listens, “ something I’ve been trying to do, with annual constituent surveys, year-round involvement in neighborhood affairs, and the open hearings that I hold as Chair of the Health and Human Services—and Senate Public Affairs Committees. 

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            If you’d like to see me continue to push though legislation like the Graduated Drivers License program, the Do Not Call List, the Nurse Advice Line, Solar and Green Building Tax Credits, the Senior Prescription Drug Program, and the Credit Freeze Bill… please join my campaign.  Together, we can do so much more.

A Leader Who Listens

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Here’s How to Help: 

            Please go to www.dedefeldman.com and make a contribution through pay pal.  I am going to run a grassroots campaign, walking the district and listening to voters, but,it takes money to print signs and brochures and do mailings.  If you’d like to contribute in other ways—please call me at 242-1997 or e-mail me at dedefeld@comcast.net.  Volunteers are always welcome.

            Here’s the news release I sent when I announced my candidacy:             

For Immediate Release:                                                         Contact: Dede Feldman

Thursday, March 13, 2008                                                     242-1997 or 220-5958

                        

           Senator Dede Feldman to Seek Re-Election in District 13

            State Senator Dede Feldman, an Albuquerque Democrat, announced today that she is running for re-election in Senate District 13, which includes parts of the North Valley, mid-Heights and West Side.  Feldman currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Public Affairs Committee and the legislature’s interim Health and Human Services Committee. 

            Feldman is the sponsor of two of the only health care reforms to pass the session this year-- to prevent insurance companies from turning down people with pre-existing conditions and to attack chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. For the past several years she has spearheaded the effort to promote alternative energy, successfully sponsoring both the solar and the green building tax credits.  A steadfast supporter of ethics and campaign finance reform, she has pushed for public financing of elections, campaign contribution limits, and open legislative committee meetings.  In 2003 she was the successful sponsor of a requirement that candidates file reports electronically so that they can be posted on the Internet to allow public scrutiny.

            Feldman polls her active constituency every year before the session to ask their opinion of the difficult health and education issues facing the state.  “I try to listen and educate the folks back home on what is happening in Santa Fe,” she says.

            Feldman often works with the Attorney General’s office on consumer protection issues, and she has passed bills allowing consumers to freeze their credit reports and restrict unwanted telephone solicitations.  She is also the architect of the state’s graduated drivers’ license program, and off-highway vehicle restrictions.

            “I’m trying to save lives,” Feldman says of her interest in public health.  “You can do that in many ways-- by training kids to be operate vehicles safely, by extending health insurance coverage, or providing access to care through a nurse hotline, or even peer counseling programs to prevent suicide.”

Feldman’s legislative work has been recognized nationally by the Women Legislators Lobby, the National Recycling Coalition which named her “Best Elected Recycling Official,” and by her fellow legislators who awarded her the Milago Award in 2007.

            A former high school and university teacher, Feldman is the owner of a small marketing and communications company.  She is a former journalist.  A resident of the North Valley for 32 years, she is married to Mark M. Feldman, a custom homebuilder.  They have been married for 39 years and have a 25-year old daughter.

                                                            

A Leader Who Listens

Education, Healthcare Took Back Seat in Budget

            
                   Senator Dede Feldman and Legislative intern, Mercy Berman

           Voters hear a lot about the importance of education and health care during every election season, but the true test of our elected officials priorities can be found in the state’s recently approved budget.

            Ordinary citizens have been making extraordinary efforts to improve New Mexico this year by participating in town halls, task forces and the like.  Yet, in spite of the Herculean efforts of hundreds of citizens who have come together to grapple with tough issues such as the state school funding formula, the inability of small employers to afford health coverage for their employees, and the growing number of uninsured people here, this year’s budget stops short of making the investments we need to assure a healthy, well-educated New Mexico, now and into the next decade.

            As Chairs of the Senate Education and Public Affairs Committees, which deal with schools and health care, two areas that are often played off against one another, we are very disappointed.

            In this year’s session of Health Care Reform, so dominated by proposals for universal health care and coverage, we under-funded Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program that now covers almost 190,000 low-income children, by $11 million.  That’s the amount the administration told legislative budget makers was needed to keep the program whole.  It did not include the additional $9 million to enroll 9,000 more low-income children, the first logical step towards broader coverage for all.

            That’s distressing since there is a fairly broad consensus that, with three federal dollars for every state dollar devoted to the program, Medicaid is a great financial investment.  Also, an ounce of prevention for babies—in terms of immunization, treatment for developmental delays and regular checkups—is worth a pound of cure, especially when those cures—in the form of special education or juvenile incarceration—are expensive ones.

            Healthier children are also better learners who can take advantage of some of the opportunities we are beginning to create for them in pre-kindergarten and early childhood education, two other areas where there is overwhelming evidence that the investment pays off handsomely.

            But it was in the field of education that the recent session was perhaps the most disappointing for child advocates.

            During the last two years, policy makers and citizens have been examining the public school funding formula at a cost of $1 million for a task force and other research.  An independent, out-of-state consultant has told us that we are under-funding our K-12 schools by $350 million, and a lawsuit looms if we do not remedy the situation.

            But what happened in the recent legislative session?  The Senate Finance Committee did not even schedule hearings on the issue, and in spite of all the work and the warnings, the issue died without a plan to go forward.

            Perhaps it’s not so unusual for existing programs and new initiatives to go unfunded in tough budget years. But, if we can find funds for a myriad of programs, not to mention tax breaks for a vast array of industries, surely we can find the money to enable sick kids to go to the doctor and support our schools, which are still the best avenues to opportunity and success.

            For us, it’s a matter of priorities—and values.

            Senator Cynthia Nava( D- Dona Ana) is the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.  Senator Dede Feldman (D- Bernalillo) is Chairman of the Senate Public Affairs Committee.

Urgent: Contact Governor to Sign MY Two Health Care Reform Bills

Two of the only health care reform bills to pass the legislature are now on the Governor's desk-awaiting either his signature-- or veto by March 5.  The bills, which I sponsored, focus on health insurance reform (Senate Bill 226) and the creation of a "Healthy New Mexico" task force to confront the primary cost drivers in the system-chronic diseases (Senate Bill 129).

Call the Governor's Office at 505- 476-2200, write him at Gov. Bill Richardson, Office of the Governor, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, State Capitol Building, Santa Fe, NM 87501, fax him at 505-476-2226   or e-mail him through the Governor's web site ate www.governor.state.nm.us.

SB 226,  "Insurance Defense & Maximum Coverage," gives a little more edge to consumers vis a vis health insurance companies by making it harder for the companies to reject applicants with pre-existing conditions because the waiting period had elapsed, or the consumer made an inadvertent mistake on his or her application.  Under the new law applicants must be deliberately fraudulent in order to get turned down.  The bill also increases the maximum amount of yearly coverage permitted by the companies for some policies from $50,000 to $100,000.  Feldman worked with the Public Regulation Commission and the companies on this one. 

SB 129, the Healthy New Mexico Task Force, will mobilize the state against chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and obesity through a coordinated plan for prevention, case management, and primary care.  Vermont started a plan several years ago like this called the Vermont Blueprint for Health" and they are making progress with some very inexpensive, common sense steps, while cutting health care costs.  $50,000 for this purpose is already included in the "Junior" budget bill.

The Governor is also holding office hours on Thursday Feb. 21 from 2-5 for ordinary citizens to voice their opinions on these and other bills. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

Last Thursday Morning Live at the NM State Senate: This Is Why Our Sessions Should be Web Cast

Thursday was the last day of the NM Senate, and the drama unfolding on the floor was proof positive that Sen. Mark Boitano's memorial to have sessions web cast live over the internet should go into effect immediately.  Boitano himself (who was absent that day) could have tuned in to see the departure of two of the Senate's most interesting characters, Joe Carraro and John Grubesic, a filibuster mounted by the environmentalists, and, finally, two of the Democratic leaders break down in tears just after the session went "sine die."  But that was only after the Senate passed a slew of controversial bills in rapid succession, including a cap on campaign contributions and an independent agency for public defenders.   

The environmental community aimed the filibuster, organized by Sen. Cisco McSorley, at killing two bills opposed.  One was sponsored by Sen. David Ulibarri, a new Senator from the Grants area appointed upon the resignation of Sen. Joe Fidel last year.  The bill would have cleaned up abandoned mines from the last boom, but only at the expense of bringing in new uranium operations, which would then pay the cost of the clean up with a relatively small fee on their production.   The bill passed at the very last minute on "concurrence"  (which is when the Senate verbally approves amendments made to it in the House).  Not so for the other bill opposed by conservationists and fiscal conservatives-the "TIDDs" bill for SunCal on the West Side.  The bill would have meant the shift of about $650 million in tax revenue to the huge development over the next 10 years to pay for infrastructure usually paid for by the developers themselves. Sun Cal had hired about 11 lobbyists to work this one, but the FIR, or the "Fiscal Impact Statement", was over 12 pages long.  This gave me enough concern to join in the filibuster myself.  I was just a relief pitcher, though, and was soon replaced by Sen. John Grubesic and then, Sen. Cynthia Nava, who read an impassioned statement about how disappointed she was in the session.  She said that the Senate Finance Committee had not even heard the bill to change the public school funding formula, which she and others had worked on for years, and she feared that, as a result, the state was subject to a lawsuit.   

Her disappointment echoed my own.  The Finance Committee also did not hear the Governor's health care bill, and refused to release a bill for a Health Care Authority, something that Rep. Danice Picraux and I had constructed as a Plan B, in case all else failed  (which it certainly did).  And, far from addressing universal coverage, the legislature actually reduced anticipated funding of Medicaid by $10 million, leaving thousands of eligible kids without medical care and over $30 million in federal funds on the table.

As the floor and the gallery began to overflow with family, friends and staff, Sen. Michael Sanchez officially gaveled the session to a close.  Thereafter, a series of awards were given to the departing senators and, surprise, to Sen. McSorley, who half-seriously remarked that "the vote on this award" must have been taken before his actions on closing day. For the final close, President Pro-Tempore Tim Jennings, with his young son Zeph at his side, extolled the virtues of the Senate  (which had earlier been called a "dysfunctional family" by departing Grubesic) --its independence, dignity, even handedness, and ability to represent the people better than any other branch of government.  As he began to break down with exhaustion, pride, and sadness, he praised the Majority Leader-Sen. Sanchez-- to whom he then handed the mike.  It was then Sen. Sanchez's turn to get emotional, as he recalled former Sen. Manny Aragon's tears on closing days of yore.

Also ...The 100th Bill Party

Every year there's a giant party for staff and legislators at the session called the 100th bill party, hosted by the lucky legislators who sponsored the 100th bill introduced in the Senate and the House.  Well, this year, I got caught, sponsoring the 100th bill in the Senate (it was to extend the solar tax credit-and did not pass) with Rep. Ken Martinez's number up in the House.  The party was a great feed on the last Friday night of the session, with music provided by the very popular Daren Cordova, and his family.  It was great, especially for the staff, who provide countless hours of service during the session doing everything from printing bills, keeping the official journal to emptying waste baskets and cleaning the bathrooms.  I'm usually too exhausted to party during the last week of the session, but my goal this time, since I was the hostess, was to dance with my janitor of ten years-- Eddie Lopez (no, not that Eddie Lopez) and discreetly, leave early.  Well, imagine my surprise when I got to La Fonda, surveyed the dance floor, only to see that Eddie, now wearing a big black cowboy hat, was the best dancer on the floor! Hmmm, this could be tricky. And I thought I was going to be doing him a favor.  Darn-I should have continued that UNM Community College class in County Western Dancing. While I was thinking of what to do, Eddie came over and asked me to dance. All I can say is that it was an aerobic activity, and a well-earned lesson in humility.

"Short" session of the 2008 legislature coming to a close

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Constituents

With only four days to go, the "short" session of the 2008 legislature is getting shorter by the minute.  We've accomplished our main task, which is coming up with a budget for state services and capital improvements around the state. The budget weighs in at $6 billion-a 6.5% increase in spending. This year we had far less money to work with, and although budget makers did their best, I am disappointed with the plan that we sent to the governor the other day.

Salary increases for public school teachers, college faculty, and state employees averaged only 2%, with a small "bump" for educational assistants to 3%-- some of the most underpaid personnel in our schools.  Medicaid, the federal/state program which provides health insurance for low-income people got far less ($10 million) than expected-in this year of health care reform.  This means that we'll loose the anticipated federal funds to provide nearly 10,000 more children with medical services.

As Chairperson of the Senate Public Affairs Committee, I have been very busy with all the different health care proposals, as well as some controversial issues like domestic partners and stem cell research, which have drawn overflow crowds. While the measure to allow stem cell research is still alive in the House, it appears that the bill giving domestic partners equal civil rights as married couples has failed.

The verdict is still out on the Governor's proposal to set up a hybrid public-private system to take us to universal health care.  As the clock ticks, the "Health Solutions" bill is still bogged down in the House.  In case it doesn't make it through the session, I have sponsored a measure to create a Health Care Authority (Senate Bill 225) composed of businesses, doctors, and health policy experts to come back to the legislature next year with a comprehensive plan for accessible, affordable health care. I'm not giving up on universal health care.  I'll be fighting for it as long as I'm here.

Meanwhile, one insurance reform measure I sponsored (SB 226), which will give consumers a little more leverage vis a vis insurance companies, seems poised to pass the House today.  But it is "small potatoes" compared to the kind of health insurance reform you said you wanted-- to curb discrimination against pre-existing conditions, and address rising premiums.

I am happy to report that my bill to create a task force to mobilize New Mexico against chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, asthma, and others has fared well.  I have been able to include $50,000 to get this off the ground next year in one of the budget bills, and I am hopeful that it will not be vetoed.  Wellness, prevention and disease management is a MUST if we are to cut costs (and heartbreaks) in the medical area.  This was one of your priorities on the questionnaire; so, if you still feel that way, encourage the Governor to not veto Senator Feldman's funds for this purpose.

Unfortunately, ethics and campaign finance reform has taken a back seat this session.  The voluntary public financing bill has died in the House for lack of funds.  The ethics commission is stalled there as well, and a bill to limit campaign contributions is making slow progress through the Senate.

Back on the home front, I have been successful in inserting funds for local schools, libraries, open space, sidewalks and other neighborhood improvements in the capital outlay budget, and I am optimistic that the Governor will sign the bill, since we got it up to him in time to override any vetoes.

Thanks again to those of you who wrote, called, visited or e-mailed me during the session. Most of all thanks to those who completed my survey and sent additional comments.  I'm listening. I hope some of you get a chance to check out my blog at http://senatorfeldman.typepad.com where I'll be posting additional comments at the end of the session. Check out my website, too at www.dedefeldman.com where you can sign up for my electronic newsletter, if you have a connection.

Thanks again for the opportunity to serve you.  I appreciate your continued confidence and promise to continue to work hard for you.

Respectfully,
State Senator, District 13   

A Break in the Action before the Final Push… Early Warnings on Health Care, Special Session

I'm back home for a day off today before the big endgame in the legislature.  Here's what's happening as of Feb. 3.  The House has sent the budget over to the Senate, with several big omissions.  In spite of all the talk about moving to universal health care, the proposed budget doesn't even hold the line on Medicaid funding.  The federal-state program is $10 million short just to retain its present enrollment.  This could mean that, rather than adding 9,000 new children to the rolls, as the administration has proposed in "Health Solutions", we end up dropping 10,000.  Wow.  That's significant. Remember, the federal government pays 75% of the cost of covering these kids in New Mexico.  We'd give that up, though, to save $10 million.
 
If there was one thing that everyone on all the health task forces that I've served on in my 12 years here seemed to agree upon was that we should be maximizing the federal match. I've asked the Senate Finance Committee to restore the funding, but I'm not optimistic.  There's a basic level of mistrust between the finance guys in the legislature and the human services department on the Medicaid projections.  Not a good sign.

The other thing that everyone seems to agree on is that we need to focus on retaining and recruiting doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in New Mexico-especially, if more people are to have coverage.  But the House did not fund the request for about $1.5 million for that purpose, as the Governor had proposed. I've got a bill for $1.8 million for this purpose that I'll continue pushing for in the Senate Finance Committee… but it's frustrating, particularly when I've been listening for six moths now to opponents of health care reform who basically say we can't expand coverage at all because we don't have the providers.  Oh well, as the say, "Gusty Winds May Exist."

Meanwhile, the big enchilada, the "Health Solutions" bill has been amended to exclude any mandates for coverage either from employers or individuals, and has been referred to another committee.  It's now unclear whether it will survive the House - widely seen by proponents as the better bet.

This kind of gridlock may be typical for this stage of any session, and I remain optimistic on that count, but I wouldn't be too surprised to start hearing calls for a special session from the fourth floor this week.
 
On a more optimistic note, I was pleased to pass my SB 129 through the Senate, which calls for a mass mobilization against chronic diseases in New Mexico, starting with a task force to come up with a strategic plan to manage these diseases.  This will help cut our health care costs in the long run, through a common sense approach.  You can call the house committees to which it is referred in support, if you have a minute.  You can track this, and other bills, through the legislative web site at www.nmlegis.gov.

Obama mania hit Santa Fe on Friday, and I was part of history, getting stuck in the largest traffic jam to ever hit the City Different, and joining the huge crowd to hear Obama speak at the Santa Fe Community College. The logistics weren't so great, but Obama's performance was masterful.  The atmosphere was like a rock concert, but I would not describe him as a rock star - maybe a graceful prizefighter, or fine writer, whose controlled prose and movements hung together artfully. Biggest applause lines: support for art, music and, yes, poetry (this was Santa Fe, after all); a requirement for community service for student loans, and thankful that - whatever happens on Super Tuesday -- George W. Bush's name will not be on the November ballot.   I'm proud to be an Obama supporter. 

From the floor of the NM Senate…

This week marks the midway point in the 2008 legislative session, an the roundhouse has become a world unto itself, with most of us rarely leaving the building. We are moving through some controversial issues both in my committee( Senate Public Affairs) and on the floor.  But the heavy duty issues are going very slowly.  The Governor’s big health care reform bill, “Health Solutions” has yet to make it out of its first House Committee, and ethics and campaign reform measures have just recently been introduced.  It seems that the Governor didn’t send down “messages” to make the bills germane in this short session ‘til way late.  Tomorrow is the last day to introduce legislation.  Barring a big flood tomorrow it looks like we have a little less grist for the mill this time as a result of a new rule which requires that interim committee and Governor’s bills be introduced only in chamber.  But it still seems like we have miles to go.

The Senate Finance Committee Chair, Sen. John Arthur Smith, is doing his part to restrain requests for funding.  Everytime I pass his desk he says, “We have no money; we have no money… and we’ll have even less next year. “  He is especially discouraging when it comes to universal health care, which he sees as too expensive for New Mexico to even think about.   Too bad-- that’s been my highest priority for the past ten years, and with this goal at the top of the Governor’s agenda—it seems almost within reach.

Nevertheless, I have been working on all the health care proposals in good faith, both in the Public Affairs Committee and in a workgroup of Democrats and Republicans formed to find a compromise.  Right now it seems a little discouraging, but I am giving it the ole collge try.  We have got to come up with a program, given the skyrocketing health care premiums and the huge number of uninsured in the state.  Unfortunately, there are many who feel the present system is too difficult to change and who cling to their own plans.  Here’s hoping they don’t come down with a major illness.

Today—Tuesday—was an exciting day on the floor, as we debated our first major bill—embryonic stem cell research.  The bill, which would trigger research at UNM using embryos destined to be discarded, passed narrowly 20 to 18.  I supported it.  Kudos to Sen. John Ryan, and the bipartisan coalition that passed it in search of cures for Parkinson’s, Alzheimers,  and other diseases. Now it’s on to the House where the bill will face the same stiff opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious groups, who have flooded our in-boxes with e-mail, and our phones with calls from the East Side of the state. Stay tuned.

Another controversial bill legalizing domestic partnerships has made its way over from the House hit the Public Affairs Committee this afternoon.  Emotions were high, as proponents from the gay, senior and disabled communities told of their inability to make important medical decisions for their long time partners, and opponents cited Scripture and decried immoral behavior.  I had my hands full containing six preachers in a room full to the brim, without my trusty egg timer, which I use to allow each side equal time.

To make a long story short (and, not every Senator wants to do this),  the bill passed this committee on a party line vote, with all Democrats voting for it, and all Republicans voting against it.  We have certainly not heard the last about this one.