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.
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