Anxious progressives are eyeing the upcoming legislative session, with one of those in the forefront of the movement admitting that uncertainty prevails. That's despite the sweeping election victories posted by Democrats in the state House and the gubernatorial race.

Former ABQ state Senator and City Councilor Eric Griego, 52, now state director of the progressive Working Families Party, says conservative Democrats who often plot with Republicans in the state Senate still represent a formidable obstacle to the progressive agenda.

Legislation we favor will rush through the House where Democrats are not as split but the real test will be when those bills hit the Senate. That's where the intrigue begins.

Griego says the first signal on whether the long-standing conservative coalition will acknowledge the election results could be the proposal to raise the minimum wage. He says progressives would like $15 an hour but would be happy if they can pop it from $7.50 to $10.

Governor-elect Lujan Griham supports a $10 minimum now, with a bump to $12 an hour in several years and she wants it indexed for inflation.

Griego thinks the House will go for the $10 or more with no restrictions. Then. . .

Grants area Senator Clemente Sanchez of the conservative coalition will probably again be key. He sponsored an increase in the minimum to $9 last year but it had attached an $8 an hour "training wage" for the first two months of employment. And unlike the minimum wages already on the books in Santa Fe, ABQ and Las Cruces, the bill did not contain any future adjustments for inflation. Griego said those are deal breakers for the progressives and adds:

The House is likely to send over a clean $10 an hour bill without those provisions--a straight up increase. Will Senator Sanchez and others in the coalition go for that or not? That will be a critical moment that will tell us much about the course of this post-election legislative session. 

MURKY OUTLOOK

Eric Griego

Griego thinks one item on the progressive check list has a decent chance of passing--same day voter registration which is being advocated by Secretary of State Toulouse Oliver.

But the outlook is murky for other progressive favorites such as firm state regulation of methane leaks in the oil and gas fields. That will have to come from the state regulatory process under the Governor.

On the proposed constitutional amendment to tap a small portion of the $18 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood programs, Griego says there are already efforts to water it down dramatically or in the case of the coalition prevent passage of any amendment. Lujan Grisham says she supports the amendment but has differed with progressives who want a full one percent per year of the Fund to go to early childhood education.

Initial comments from Senators Sanchez and John Arthur Smith remain unfavorable toward the amendment which would require voter approval. Senators George Munoz, Mary Kay Papen and John Sapien are the other Dems who coalesce with the R's in thwarting the progressives and have consistently opposed the amendment.

Griego says with the state moving increasingly toward the blue column the outcome of this session could hinge on whether any credible candidates begin to emerge to challenge the coalition Democrats in the 2020 primary elections.

If folks start putting their pictures in the window that could make a big difference.

Meanwhile the uncertainty and intrigue over the conservative Senate coalition will continue, only to be answered by the 60 days of lawmaking that will commence in January.

PASSING ON PAT

Councilor Davis

Speaking of progressives, the year is ending on a sour note for one the more prominent members of that tribe. ABQ Dem City Councilor Pat Davis, coming off a June primary defeat for the ABQ US House nomination, made it 0-2 Monday when the nine member council unanimously chose Dem Klarissa Pena as their new president for the next year.

Davis was campaigning behind the scenes for the post--his second attempt at it since he joined the council--but it was not to be. There were no sympathy cards coming his way from the 11th Floor. Mayor Keller and Councilor Davis have tangled on a variety of mostly low-key matters in Keller's first year at the helm. Davis as President could have slowed his honor's mo.

There is some irony here because it was progressive Davis who was thought to be the most natural ally of Dem Keller when the new mayor came in last year and that the three moderate west side councilors--Pena, Sanchez and Borrego--would be the big thorns in his side.

What's next for Davis? Well, he's up for re-election next year to his liberal SE Heights district but has not yet said if he will run again. Now that there's a Democratic Governor could he end up in her administration? He left his job as head of liberal grassroots group ProgressNow NM when he made his congressional bid.

 STEPHANIE SAYS. . .

State Land Commissioner-elect Stephen Garcia Richard was scored by one of the Alligators here Monday for going silent when asked to respond to media inquires about potential regulations for methane. In a newsletter following that blog, Garcia Richard lists her priorities and said this about methane:

On average, the people of New Mexico lose at least $100,000 a month in revenue that should fund our schools and hospitals from industry leaks and intentionally flaring methane. A series of rules must be implemented to require the capture and accurate reporting of methane.

She also announced a public tour prior to the legislative session that includes a December 15 meeting in Silver City and sessions in Las Cruces, Santa Fe and ABQ. So there you go Gators, Stephanie speaks!

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. 

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018