'The Rock of Talk' Debate of the Day: Will the Special Session Turn Things Around?
Helicopter money = magic beans?
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Michelle Lujan Grisham has called legislators into special session to “to take up a relief package for New Mexicans who have been affected by the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
MLG wants lawmakers to approve:
* $194 million in direct unemployment assistance
* $100 million for a grant program for New Mexico-owned small businesses
* $15 million to provide for emergency housing assistance
* $5 million for emergency food bank services
* $5 million for direct economic assistance to low-income residents
Is yet more “public investment” — supplied via a national government that is $27.2 trillion in debt — going to reverse New Mexico’s lockdown-induced socioeconomic catastrophe?
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I emailed my state rep about accountability act and got this response...
Thank you for taking the time to write to me. As mandated by the NM Constitution, we are only debating one bill today as specified in the Proclamtion (see the explanation below).
The Emergency Powers Accountability Act will be debated at the regular session in January. I look forward to debating it at the time.
Sincerely,
Rep. Figueroa
The Governor of the State of New Mexico has the power under Article IV Section 6 of the NM Constitution the power to call a special session. (link here: https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/new-mexico-constitution/nm-const-art-iv-sect-6.html) That same Article specifically states that ‘no business shall be transacted except as such relates to the objects specified in this proclamation.’ Therefore, we cannot discuss or vote on a bill pertaining to limiting emergency powers at this time.
The proclamation reads “In accordance with Article IV, Section 6, this second Special Session is called for the purpose of considering and enacting legislation for the purpose of this object and no others: making an appropriation from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act relief fund allocation in order to provide additional unemployment compensation benefits, to make grants to certain New Mexico businesses, to provide emergency housing assistance and emergency food bank services, and also to make appropriations from the general funds to the office of the Courts.” That is why we are only considering one bill today – it is mandated by our Constitution.
I have an idea, open fully all businesses, defer all state and local taxes for 6 months, then cut all state payroll by 30%. Oh wait, that would help NM citizens...