The new and more socially liberal state Senate came into focus for the first time Monday as it took up legislation of widespread public interest, but the same old fiscally conservative Senate was also on display as the Finance committee got to work in earnest. It's a tale of two Senates.

First, the bill to repeal a 50 year old state law that outlaws abortion went before the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee where it easily passed. It has garnered a majority of the full Senate as co-sponsors. The House is also expected to approve the headline making bill as it did last year. 

The measure is largely symbolic with an an analysis from the attorney general's office saying:

Still, the abortion bill was beaten back last year by the now expired Senate coalition of Republicans and conservative learning Dems. Its committee passage Monday signaled what will likely be a full decade of social liberalism in Santa Fe, reinforced later in the year by the redistricting of legislative seats for the next ten years.

This change will have impact on matters such as abortion, police behavior, human rights, state investments and more. 

(The mailer posted here today is from Planned Parenthood, one of the lead interest groups working for repeal of the abortion statute.)

Social conservatives aren't completely voiceless at the Capitol. During the abortion debate held via zoom new GOP Senator Greg Schmedes of the ABQ east mountains held his baby girl, Lilly, before the camera. The baby was cute as a button but did not sway any votes, with repeal of the 1969 law winning 5 to 3 and sent on to the judiciary committee.

Red Tailed Hawk

Meantime over at Senate Finance, when we dipped in on their Monday session it was much the same story as when the conservative coalition ruled--much hand wringing from the committee staff abetted by Acting Department of Finance Secretary Debbie Romero. 

The handwringing was over potentially dire events the state may face and how that makes necessary the largest budget reserve in state history, despite the pandemic-induced economic wreckage that has already unfolded.

That reserve is set at 25 percent of the $7 billion plus budget or about $1.7 billion, an astounding sum given the backdrop of unemployment, business closures and behavioral health issues plaguing the state. (Not to mention better oil prices).

We heard no discussion from the budget hawks of bringing that reserve down to more reasonable levels in order to finance badly needed broadband or provide additional relief for the stricken restaurant and hospitality industries. Or even tax breaks for lower income New Mexicans to ameliorate the disaster that has occurred and impacts them most. 

Maybe Santa Fe is waiting for another DC bailout to soften the blow. Even so the size of this reserve in the face of so much social dislocation and pain is reckless on the upside. Senate Finance and the Governor are also suffering--not economically--but from a big disconnect. 

Even if the worry warts led by Secretary Romero can't agree on financial relief for individuals or businesses, can't they stop the mattress stuffing for a minute and at least address the broadband crisis?

ABQ Dem Sen. Michael Padilla has proposed an office of broadband (SB 93) to coordinate the search for the billions ultimately needed to wire the state, some of it which can be found in that bloated reserve. That's a good place to start but there's much more that needs doing. 

Maybe the only way to get the job done is by putting unemployed waitresses, bartenders and business owners on the finance committee. Hmm. Not a bad idea. . . 

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