SANTA FE, N.M. –The New Mexico State Legislature approved more than $300 million in federal funds that will be used to provide economic support for New Mexicans during a quick special session of the legislature on November 24. The legislature was called to the capitol by the governor to ensure support for New Mexicans who would be hurt financially by the recent shutdown order. The bill was signed into law and made official on November 25.
On Monday, Nov. 23 New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham put out a proclamation calling legislators back to Santa Fe, N.M. to pass the pandemic relief.
“The pandemic has never been more dangerous in our state, and the economic pain caused by the spread of the virus is felt in every corner of New Mexico. We must remain vigilant in our fight against the virus. We must continue to evaluate how we can get more assistance to more New Mexicans who need it in this time of crisis. I’m grateful to the Legislature, both chambers and both parties, for their work yesterday. New Mexico will always step up, even when the federal government won’t,” said Governor Lujan Grisham in a press release.
All the money passed in this bill comes from the federal CARES Act which was passed by the US Congress in March. This money had to be spent by the state or it would go back to the US Treasury.
What is in the bill?
House Bill 1, the only piece of legislation passed during this special session, contains a series of provisions for spending abilities.
• $100 million available in the form of grants for small businesses; this money will be distributed by the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• A one-time $1,200 New Mexico Worker Pandemic Benefit: this will be available to more than 100,000 New Mexicans who are currently claiming unemployment. This benefit can be received even by New Mexicans who have exhausted their benefits.
• $15 million in emergency housing assistance for New Mexicans who cannot make their rent payments, as well as funding for homeless assistance.
• $5 million for emergency food bank services.
• $5 million for direct assistance to New Mexicans who were not eligible for a stimulus check from the federal government, like “gigeconomy” employees. The gig-economy includes rideshare drivers and other contract workers not eligible for the federal stimulus check.
• $10 million for contact tracing efforts.
The bill passed with an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the legislature. Because the bill does nothing except move money around, the funds became available the moment Governor Lujan Grisham signed the bill.
Debate
The legislature agreed that New Mexicans needed additional support during the pandemic, but they disagreed on where the money should go.
House vote
In the House of Representatives the Republican aisle pushed for additional relief to essential workers and people who are currently employed; Rep. Rebecca Dow (R – Truth or Consequences) introduced an amendment which would have given frontline workers who make less than $15 an hour a onetime $600 benefit, while decreasing the amount of money given to the unemployed by $600.
Both sides of the political aisle praised the amendment, but ultimately the amendment failed. During debate over this amendment Speaker of the House Brian Egolf left the speaker’s position at the head of the house to participate in the debate.
“To me this amendment is not about the worthiness of what you’re trying to do. I agree with you 100 percent that we need to help and do more to support these essential workers; I agree with you,” the speaker said and added, “I think everyone in the legislature agrees with you. Generally, the problem is if you don’t get this program exactly right, you’re going to be taking $600 away from every unemployed claimant in the state, putting the money into a pot and hoping it makes it to the place where we want it to go.”
Generally, amendments are voted on before the bill, but the Democrats decided to move on to final vote on the bill without voting on the amendment. This is allowable but it not typically how the chamber operates, generally debate over a bill ends after three hours which Speaker Egolf explained allowed the representative to move on without voting on the amendment. This action caused contention among the Republican side of the chamber.
“Since we’re throwing the rules out and just using them when we would like, I’ll explain myself now and then vote,” Representative Brian Harper (R-Rio Rancho) called out, “There was nothing wrong with going to closing remarks by Representative Dow and voting that and then voting on the bill. But you again are a bully and use that chair to see your whims.”
Rep. Harper continued by calling the proceedings a mockery of the rules.
After discussion with the New Mexico Legislative Council, Speaker Egolf decided to allow a vote on the amendment.
The bill passed without its Dow amendment 56-14.
Senate
In the New Mexico Senate debate was roughly centered in the same manner as in the House. Republican senators argued that the bill does too much for the unemployed while doing nothing for those employed who are receiving no assistance to keep themselves safe.
“Nursing home workers, childcare workers, field workers, grocery store workers, gas station, convenience store workers -they provide great services we enjoy every day and they don’t complain about it because they need that paycheck,” said Senator Gabriel Ramos (D-Silver City).
Overall, the Senate passed an exact copy of the bill that was passed in the House, 33-5.
Governor Lujan Grisham signed the bill the next morning.