Time winds down in session

SANTA FE (KRQE) - With less than 72 hours left in the 30-day session and with hundreds of bills still in the pipeline, many important issues are in danger of dying.

Senate President Tim Jennings, R-Roswell, said Monday the main priorities the next few days will be passing a budget, capital outlay projects and jobs bills.

"We'll study (other bills) as time allows," said Jennings.

Issues, such as holding back students who don't read proficiently at grade level, pushing reform at the controversy-ridden Public Regulation Commission, and repealing the law that gives driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, will be racing against the clock. By law, legislators must adjourn by noon on Thursday.

Even proposals with broad bi-partisan support, such as cracking down on child killers and repeat DWI offenders, may dies this session if time runs out.

"There's no question that we're stalling," said House Minority Floor Leader Tom Taylor, R-Farmington. "There are items that the Democrats don't want on the desk of the governor. There are some items that are still controversial that they'd rather not talk about."

Republicans in the Democratic-controlled legislature said not much else will get done besides the budget.
However, Gov. Susana Martinez is a bit more optimistic that lawmakers will pass some tax and education reform bills.

"They need to start listening to people outside of this Roundhouse, people who elect them, they're demanding reform," said Martinez.

But Jennings said there's no way the legislature will be able to take up everything the governor wants. "This is a budget session," said Jennings. "That's all that's supposed to happen here and when you open it up really broad, and add a huge number of subject matter into the process, then that tends to ball things up."

Legislators are moving on some tax reform measures. The Senate on Monday passed SB 311, which would give manufacturing companies a tax break if they expand their businesses in New Mexico.