Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The legislative session is over, and if there’s one thing it showcased it’s that our citizen Legislature can set aside political differences and come together to do what’s best for constituents.
The work lawmakers did over those 30 days will make a real difference in the lives of everyday New Mexicans, including approving a measure that will make it easier to establish crisis-triage centers throughout the state.
Analysts say those crisis centers could decrease drug overdoses, alcohol-related deaths and even suicides.
Of course, most of the legislation adopted must still be acted on by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, but she has signaled that she supports much of what has been sent to her desk for her signature.
Among the most significant measures that were approved this session, and that the governor should sign into law, are:
RAISES, RESERVES: The proposed $6.3 billion budget also contains 8.5 percent pay raises for State Police and corrections officers as well as smaller raises for rank-and-file state workers and teachers. And it sets aside more than $632 million, roughly 10 percent of state spending, in cash reserves.
Maintaining healthy reserves is critical in a state like New Mexico that relies heavily on oil and gas revenues, which have been and will continue to be volatile.
CRISIS TRIAGE CENTERS: A Senate bill that would make it easier to operate a crisis-triage center in New Mexico. Proponents say it will open the door for people living with mental illness or battling addiction to get prompt access to treatment during a behavioral health crisis.
Among other things, the bill would provide Medicaid reimbursement for a wider range of short- and long-term crisis services.
CRIME PACKAGE: Lawmakers also signed off on stiffer penalties for violent felons caught with a firearm, retention bonuses for veteran police officers, lessening penalties for minor offenses, and provisions aimed at getting inmates struggling with mental illness or addiction the medical help they need after they leave jail.
STEP THERAPY: This bipartisan measured is aimed at improving the regulations of “step therapy” – the practice of requiring patients to try and fail on cheaper drugs before more expensive ones. This bill would create an appeals process if a patient is denied his or her ideal drug.
SPACEPORT: Lawmakers were right to narrow the confidentiality allowed by a bill approved on the last day of the session. At one point, the measure would have allowed the spaceport to keep the identities of its aerospace tenants confidential.
Spaceport officials insist the companies need some confidentiality because of the competitive nature of the brand new space industry, and this bill will provide some of that.
Let’s hope the taxpayer-funded facility can now attract more business.
There was other legislation that didn’t make it through.
PERMANENT FUND: Lawmakers were right to reject a proposal to tap into the state’s largest permanent fund to pay for early childhood programs. The measure would have damaged the financial health of the fund, which already provides hundreds of millions of dollars for schools and other beneficiaries each year.
On the whole, lawmakers worked hard to get things done for the people of this state.
— Albuquerque Journal