Democratic Values Make Historic Leaps Forward in Legislative Session

Feb

2024

PRESS RELEASE

Democratic Values Make Historic Leaps Forward in Legislative Session

Gun Safety, Housing, Environmental Protections, & More-Democrats Make Historic Progress Across the Board

ALBUQUERQUE: In the 2024 30-day Legislative Session, Democrats made huge leaps forward for the well-being of our communities and environment that advance our core party values. DPNM could not be more proud of all the hard work of the Democrats in the New Mexico House and Senate and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Some of the key Democratic highlights from the legislative session include:

Budget: As the top priority of the 30-day session, the fiscal year 2025 budget makes immediate and long-term investments in education, workforce development, public safety, infrastructure, the environment, and working families of New Mexico.

Safer communities: Legislators passed a practical gun safety bill that implements a 7-day waiting period between the time of purchasing and acquiring a firearm to allow law enforcement time to run background checks and prevent impulsive acts of gun violence.

Bills banning guns at polling places to prevent voter intimidation and politically motivated violence and bolstering incentives for retired public safety professionals returning to the job also passed.

Housing: Legislators made the largest investments in housing in state history with support and funding in the budget for temporary, transitional, and affordable housing in communities across the state. This includes a loan fund that will finance housing development infrastructure and workforce housing so workers can live near where they work.

Tax equity: This tax package reduces state income taxes for all taxpayers with larger cuts for lower earners, allowing working New Mexicans to keep more of what they earn. It also expands tax credits to rural healthcare practitioners, flattens the corporate income tax, and provides a tax credit to assist New Mexicans whose homes were destroyed by wildfires.

Environment: The Clean Transportation Fuel Standard will reduce carbon emissions by incentivizing the use of cleaner transportation fuels. The tax package includes credits for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The budget increases funding for state agencies that oversee environmental regulation and establishes the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund which will be a long-term funding source for conservation and enable New Mexico to access previously untapped federal grants.

Workforce development: The budget strengthens the Opportunity Scholarship and occupational training at community colleges. Other legislation supports training and apprenticeship programs to help fill needed, in-demand jobs.

Although Senate Bill 3, the Paid Family Medical Leave Act did not make it out of the legislature this session, DPNM applauds all the work that made this proposal advance further than it has before. For the health and prosperity of the families, workers, and businesses of our state, we encourage legislators to continue working toward a good paid family medical leave policy until it is implemented in New Mexico.

DPNM Chair Jessica Velasquez:

“DPNM congratulates our Democratic legislators in both chambers on a productive legislative session where we made progress on smart public safety, commonsense gun measures, environmental protections, and across-the-board investments in a prosperous future for all New Mexicans.

Although it is disappointing that Paid Family Medical Leave did not get over the finish line this session, I’m confident that Democrats will continue working to implement this life-saving policy so no New Mexican worker will have to choose between their financial security and the health of themselves or a loved one.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (Albuquerque), SB 3 Sponsor:

“Although this necessary, life-saving legislation did not make it out of the New Mexico House of Representatives this year, Democratic legislators in both chambers and our coalition of local business leaders, including the Small Business Majority, policy experts, and grassroots advocates will work throughout the year to bring a bill for Paid Family Medical Leave to the Governor’s desk.

We owe it to the many New Mexicans who have ever had to make the impossible choice between putting food on the table or taking care of themselves or a loved one when illness or tragedy strikes to continue the fight for this human right. Make no mistake about it, we will continue our efforts until a good Paid Family Medical Leave policy is a reality in New Mexico.”

House Judiciary Committee Chair Christine Chandler (Los Alamos), SB 3 Sponsor:

“I join every New Mexican who is disappointed that we were not able to send Paid Family Medical Leave to the Governor this year, but this is just a temporary setback.

New Mexico needs a good paid leave policy that will be there for workers facing a serious medical issue, growing their family, or caring for a loved one, which would also help employers retain a strong, experienced workforce. Paid Family Medical Leave made it further this session than it ever has before, and the broad coalition of supporters who brought it this far will remain resolute until we deliver.”

DPNM also commends and congratulates the following retiring Democratic legislators and thanks them for their service:

House Majority Leader Gail Chasey (Albuquerque)
Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (Santa Fe)
Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino (Albuquerque)
Sen. Bill Tallman (Albuquerque)
Sen. Brenda McKenna (Albuquerque)
Rep. Anthony Allison (Fruitland)
Rep. Natalie Figueroa (Albuquerque) who is retiring from the House to run for Senate