According to the New Mexico Constitution:
“Special sessions of the Legislature may be called by the governor, but no business shall be transacted except such as relates to the objects specified in this proclamation.”
This afternoon the Governor’s Office held a news conference with leaders from across the state to explain why the legislation Lujan Grisham is proposing is necessary, and to sign the proclamation for the session, written as clearly and narrowly as possible to focus lawmakers as well as limit the session’s $50,000 days.
On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called a news conference with leaders from across the state to explain why a special session on public safety is necessary.
Before signing the proclamation, Lujan Grisham outlined eight pressing issues necessitating legislative intervention, adding three new issues involving racketeering, fentanyl and disaster aid to her original five bills:
- Criminal Competency: Numerous criminal defendants are released without receiving essential mental health services due to outdated competency standards.
- Mental Health Treatment Standards: Current definitions of “danger to self” and “danger to others” are inadequate, preventing individuals with severe mental illness from receiving necessary care.
- Crime Reporting: Inconsistent crime and ballistic reporting by local law enforcement agencies hampers effective criminal investigations.
- Pedestrian Safety: New Mexico leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities, with many accidents involving individuals on medians.
- Gun Violence: The state faces high rates of gun violence, often perpetrated by convicted felons.
- Organized Crime: The rise and complexity of organized crime necessitates updates to the Racketeering Act.
- Drug Overdoses: Hundreds of New Mexicans die from drug overdoses every year, many of which are the result of the widespread availability of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
- Recent Fires: The South Fork and Salt fires have devastated communities, requiring state intervention and support. Communities affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fires continue to need assistance.”
State leaders joined Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday to show their support as she laid out her reasons for calling the special session.
The Chamber’s Terri Cole and many New Mexico leaders – including Mayor Tim Keller, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, Dr. Mike Richards of UNM’s Health Sciences Center, the mayors of Las Cruces and Portales and three tribal governors – were with Lujan Grisham on Wednesday afternoon and spoke in support of the governor’s proposals.
“Gun violence perpetrated by convicted felons is a pressing issue in New Mexico,” said Bregman. “By increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms, we can reduce repeat offenses and enhance public safety.”
Miguel Tittmann, IAFF Local 244 President, supported the governor and her agenda in the special session. “The equation to solve the tragic stories of homelessness and addiction that plague N.M. city streets is complex and requires multiple angles of approach,” Tittmann said.
Keller also supported Lujan Grisham leading policymakers into the session. “As a former state senator, I know that special sessions can be tough, and not all the details ready in advance, but at least there is a chance the work can be done,” Keller said. “That’s why I have always supported any special session that helps us face our toughest challenges head on.”
GACC President and CEO Terri Cole spoke at the news conference, explaining the public safety issues on the table are not new and deserve to be addressed in the special session.
Cole lauded Lujan Grisham for the special session and says over the last 10 years, New Mexicans and business owners have identified crime as one of their most significant concerns. She went on to say that in previous legislative sessions, lawmakers have routinely avoided passing anti-crime legislation – with many bills getting bottled up and never considered for an up or down vote on the floor of either the House or Senate. “Last year, the Chamber dubbed public safety ‘The Forgotten Issue’ of the regular legislative session,” Cole said. “It is important to know that there is a date and time to find and prepare common ground to better fight crime in the Legislature.”
