New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman's Blog

Move to Open Conference Committee is back, Credit Freeze passes Senate now to House, Impeachment Hearing in Senate Public Affairs...

We’re Back… for more on Open Conference Committees

Some ideas just don’t go away. The move to open legislative conference committees is back—in spite of the narrow defeat of my bill on the Senate floor a week or so ago. The media has really hit this one hard, and some Senators may be regretting their vote against sunshine.

It turns out the Senate Public Affairs Committee had a very similar bill (SB 322), sponsored by Sen. Joe Carraro, a Republican from the West Side, on the table. It was amended to suit several committee members and given a “do-pass” on Thursday, Feb. 22. It will probably hit the Senate floor this week. Call your Senator if you feel that you’re entitled to hear about what goes on in these important meetings where the budget and other important matters are hammered out -- often at the last minute. It’s Senate Bill 322,

Credit Freeze Passes the Senate, on to the House

My drive to allow consumers to freeze their credit information and thus prevent identity theft is advancing to the House where the “substitute bill,” which combined SB 165, sponsored by Sen. Bill Sharer and my SB 448, is now facing House Business and Industry. This is a tough committee and I’d appreciate any phone calls or contacts in favor of this consumer bill to go to these members: Reps. Debbie Rodella, chair, George Hanosh, vice-chair, Jose Campos, Andrew Barreras, Tom Garcia, Richard Vigil, Donna Irwin, Justine Fox Young, Keith Gardner, Jane Powdrell, Jim Trujillo, and Gloria Vaughn. The AARP is working this one, which the AG Gary King supports. Call 1-505-986-4300 for the numbers and e-mails of those Reps.

Bipartisan Cooperation in Action

Whenever I can I make common cause with Republicans of like minds I jump at the opportunity. That's the case with the two bills I mentioned above. Perhaps that's not politically correct in some circles, but it makes sense to me, since so many of these things (like good government and consumer protection) are not partisan. I don't know who will eventually get the credit on the election mailer, but I do know what's the right thing. And there are others here -- of both parties -- who feel the same way. That's a side of the legislature that the public doesn't often see and it's what keeps me going up here.

Entering the Final Phase

I've got to go now, the impeachment hearings (held today before my committee, the Senate Public Affairs Committee) are beckoning. We expect a big turn-out. The blogsphere and media have been activated big time on this. I've been getting calls for an interview from something called “the Impeachment Channel" in L.A., along with requests for filming, etc. from all over the country. It may be an exercise in crowd control.

As we count down to the final gong, it becomes more and more about the money. Budget negotiations tend to crowd out discussion of all other items.  Today Senators must submit their final requests for capital outlay projects, so my math skills -- and my eraser has been put to the test.... More later....

Senator  Dede Feldman

Updates and Added Notes

We’re Back… for More on Open Conference Committees

Some ideas just don’t go away. The move to open legislative conference committees is back—in spite of the narrow defeat of my bill on the Senate floor a week or so ago. The media has really hit this one hard, and some Senators may be regretting their vote against sunshine. It turns out the Senate Public Affairs Committee had a very similar bill (SB 322), sponsored by Sen. Joe Carraro, a Republican from the West Side, on the table. It was amended to suit several committee members and,given a “do-pass” on Thursday, Feb. 22. It will probably hit the Senate floor this week. Call your Senator if you feel that you’re entitled to hear about what goes on in these important meetings where the budget and other important matters are hammered out-- often at the last minute. It’s Senate Bill 322.

Credit Freeze Passes the Senate, on to the House

My drive to allow consumers to freeze their credit information and thus prevent identity theft is advancing to the House, where the “substitute bill,” which combined SB 165, sponsored by Sen. Bill Sharer and my SB 448, is now facing House Business and Industry. This is a tough committee and I’d appreciate any phone calls or contacts in favor of this consumer bill to go to these members: Reps. Debbie Rodella, chair,, George Hanosh, vice-chair, Jose Campos, Andrew Barreras, Tom Garcia, Richard Vigil, Donna Irwin, Justine Fox Young, Keith Gardner, Jane Powdrell, Jim Trujillo, and Gloria Vaughn. The AARP is working this one, which the AG Gary King supports. Call 1-505-986-4300 for the numbers and e-mails of those Reps.

Bipartisan Cooperation in Action

Whenever I can I make common cause with Republicans of like minds, I jump at the opportunity. That's the case with the two bills I mentioned above. Perhaps that's not politically correct in some circles, but it makes sense to me, since so many of these things ( like good government and consumer protection) are not partisan. I don't know who will eventually get the credit on the election mailer, but I do know what's the right thing. And there others here-- of both parties-- who feel the same way. That's a side of the legislature that the public doesn't often see and it's what keeps me going up here.

Entering the Final Phase

The blogsphere and media have been activated big time on this. I've been getting calls for an interview from something called "the Impeachment Channel" in L.A., along with requests for filming, etc. from all over the country. It may be an exercise in crowd control.
As we count down to the final gong, it becomes more and more about the money. Budget negotiations tend to crowd out discussion of all other items. Senators have submitted their final requests for capital outlay projects, so my math skills-- and my eraser has been put to the test.... More later...

Rollback - When Do Progressives Lose Ground?

Each new legislation can present a threat to progressive legislation that was passed in a previous session. For the 2007 session consider the proposed rollback of 'electronic filing' for legislators.

Listen to the my audio here - ( Download or play the rollback.mp3 )

Non-Profit Organizations May Get Improved Health Coverage

Hear the audio update ( Download or play the non-profit-health-insurance.mp3   )

Non profit agencies would be able to get better health insurance now that Senate Bill 428 has passed and moved on to the House. Many non-profit groups were at the Roundhouse on Monday to thank Senators who passed the measure and to urge House representatives to do the same. Listen to the audio file for more details.

Legislation Audio Updates -Take A Listen

Legislation is moving through both houses of the legislature. Here are some updates on legislation you maybe following and/or are interested in.

--> Identity Theft Protection - listen to the audio - ( Download and play ID-theft.mp3 )

                                                 
The Credit Security Freeze-aimed at Identity Theft-- will hits the Senate Floor today.

Please call all Senators to pass Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for 448 and 165.  

    Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) had an industry-backed bill. We got everyone together and hammered out a compromise, which was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday. We are still trying to accommodate the auto dealers-who want consumers to be able to "thaw" their credit almost immediately.

    Miss New Mexico, a victim of identity theft, who has made this her platform, was at the Capitol Friday to help. And many others have sent e-mails. Keep 'em coming. We're a long way from home.

--> Victory for Young Women with Passage of HPV Vaccination Coverage - listen to audio -
(  Download HPV.mp3 )
I'm pleased that my SB 407 passed which requires insurance companies to cover the cost of HPV vaccinations. This is good news for young women in New Mexico. Listen to find out more.

--> Ditches with Trails Hits a Snag - listen to the audio - ( Download ditches-trails.mp3 )

    One of the most encouraging projects for both the North and South Valleys- the Ditches with Trails Project-was dealt a setback Friday when Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee failed to pass a bill that would have transferred liability from the Conservancy or other Irrigation Districts to the State Parks Department, the City or other entities agreeing to manage and accept responsibility for the public trail.

    SB 486 was aimed at resolving a problem that has kept the MRGCD from opening the ditches running up and down the valley to full public access, a necessary ingredient for trail development now planned in the Los Griegos area of the North Valley and the Atrisco area in the South Valley.   

Call member of the Judiciary Committee, particularly Senator Linda Lopez (D- Albuquerque), who represents the South Valley, and Senator. Cisco McSorley (D-Albuquerque) to get them to change their vote and move the bill along.

The Credit Security Freeze -- aimed at Identity Theft-- will Hit the Senate Floor Tuesday Feb. 19. -- Please call all Senators to pass Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for 448 and 165

This past week I’ve been trying to hammer out a compromise with everyone who’s interested in protecting consumers from identity theft by allowing them to freeze their credit report. The bill I’m sponsoring is supported by the AG, AARP and many others. It allows consumers to call the credit agencies, and, for $5, place a freeze on their account information so no one with whom they do not already do business can have access to their data to open new accounts or commit crimes. Consumers can then unfreeze their accounts (for a fee) and allow people to see it when they want to make a major purchase. Sen. Bill Sharer had an industry bill and we got everyone together and hammered out a compromise, which was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday. We are still trying to accommodate the auto dealers -- who want consumers to be able to “thaw” their credit almost immediately. Miss New Mexico, a victim of identity theft, who has made this her platform, was at the Capitol Friday to help.  And many others have sent e-mails.  Keep ‘em coming. We’re a long way from home.

You Win Some, You Loose Some… but Live to Fight Another Day

After three and a half hours of debate, my bill to open legislative conference committees narrowly lost on the Senate floor Thursday night. The vote was 20 against and 19 for -- a cliffhanger. It’s the closest we’ve ever gotten to getting the Senate to endorse a basic open government policy that exists in 41 other states and the US House of Representatives. And this time, I think we had ‘em on the run. Several of the opponents railed against the media, saying they intentionally distort things, were a special interest group, and didn’t deserve to be in conference committees where they could report back to the public on how legislators voted on little things like the state budget. Editorial meetings -- and cabinet meetings -- should be open to the public if conference committees are, one demanded, making no distinction between private institutions and elected officials. Others said closed deliberations were the hallmark of the Senate’s integrity and its right to hammer out the final details. Ignoring separation of powers issues, Sen. Jennings tried to substitute my bill with one that would make Appellate Court Justices conferences open. But, “Methinks they doth protest too much,” as Shakespeare said. Everywhere else, it’s a common belief that a democratic form of government relies on an informed citizenry -- that’s why we have an open meetings act, and a free press. So voters can know where there representatives stand. And when government acts in secret, watch out.

Ditches with Trails Hits a Snag

One of the most encouraging projects for both the North and South Valleys -- the Ditches with Trails Project -- was dealt a setback Friday when Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee failed to pass a bill that would have transferred liability from the Conservancy or other Irrigation Districts to the State Parks Department, the City or other entities agreeing to manage and accept responsibility for the public trail.

SB 486 was aimed at resolving a problem that has kept the MRGCD from opening the ditches running up and down the valley to full public access, a necessary ingredient for trail development now planned in the Los Griegos area of the North Valley and the Atrisco area in the South Valley.

Call member of the Judiciary Committee, particularly Sen. Linda Lopez, who represents the South Valley, and Sen. Cisco McSorley to get them to change their vote and move the bill along.