[LWVNM Action] Does the NM Legislature work efficiently and effectively???? Friday Action Zoom at 4 pm

[Akkana Peck]

Dick,

Where is the paper on how the the legislature should operate? I
don't think I have it on the website, and it sounds like something
we should put there. Also, Barbara asked me to write up my
impressions of the session and how it could be more transparent, and
it would be good to know what the LWVNM has already discussed.

        ...Akkana

Richard Mason via Action writes:
> The LWVNM does not have a position on the length of the session.
> 
> We have advocated for years for a paid legislature.
> 
> We have developed a whole paper on how the the legislature should operate.
> We got some changes.
> 
> Dick Mason
> 
> On Tue, Mar 23, 2021 at 3:10 PM George Richmond via Action <
> action at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
> 
> > I propose some changes to our State Legislature, some of which were
> > proposed in this session...but never passed.
> >
> > A) Paid Staff With over 900 bills, memorials and resolutions introduced
> > this session, how can legislators keep up? they do not have time to read
> > the reports so HAVING PAID STAFF TO DO THAT WORK WILL HELP.
> >
> > So, I propose paid staff for all legislators during the regular sessions
> > and interim committee meetings held throughout the year after the session.
> >
> > B) Payment for being a legislator.  NM is the only state with only Per
> > Diem payments.  Younger people, say, under 60 who are still working just
> > can not leave a job to take the position....or need a working partner or
> > spouse or some independent income.
> >
> > I find it ludicrous that the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority
> > Leader are both attorneys and have a law firm to carry them financially so
> > they can do their jobs, which include much more work, of course.  But then,
> > they have staff..because of their positions.
> >
> > C) Length of Sessions.  I deem the sessions too short and propose a
> > flexible period.  A week before the sessions start, the Governor, Speaker
> > of the House and Senate Majority Leader should meet and decide on the
> > length of the sessions, which would be extended an additional 15 days for
> > the current 30 day short session and up to 90 days for the current long
> > session.  My proposal means that the short session could be 30 days or up
> > to 45 days, for example, depending on the critical issues to be resolved
> > and the same approach with the Long Session.
> >
> > I am not saying that this should be the topic of this Friday's meeting,
> > but I want to bring it up for discussion and future action.  Certainly
> > Hannah should be included and any others in the dozen or so people who
> > attend most meetings.
> >
> > "See" you on Friday,
> >
> > George Richmond
> > On 3/23/2021 9:35 AM, Richard Mason via Action wrote:
> >
> > https://thefulcrum.us/redistricting/new-mexico-redistricting
> >
> > Action Zoom on Friday at 4 pm
> >    sum up the session & talk about the special session
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Action mailing listAction at mailman.swcp.comhttps://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/action
> >
> > --
> > George M. Richmond
> > 152 Juniper Hill Road, NE
> > Albuquerque, NM 87122-1913
> >
> > C: 505-280-2105
> > E: geomrich1 at comcast.net
> >
> >
> >
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> > _______________________________________________
> > Action mailing list
> > Action at mailman.swcp.com
> > https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/action
> >

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