On November 3, New Mexico voters will be asked to approve or reject two Constitutional Amendments and three bond measures. The Republican Party of New Mexico believes it’s in the public interest to oppose these statewide ballot measures.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional Amendment #1 (recommend no vote) allows the legislature to provide changes at the Public Regulation Commission to make it a three-member appointed Commission.
It is a power grab for the governor.
The PRC regulates public utilities and rates. Currently five members are elected. This Amendment gives the governor more control over the PRC by appointing all three members; this would strip the Commission of its ability to truly protect utility ratepayers. This consolidates executive branch power and would influence the power of special interests. Approving this Question means the PRC could become engulfed in partisan politics and it will fail to protect the public.
Constitutional Amendment #2 (recommend no vote) asks voters to allow the legislature to change the dates of certain elections and terms for non-statewide officeholders.
This idea is to balance the number of elections each year, but it would lead to serious problems.
This Constitutional change would put the minor-ity party at a disadvantage because, so few people vote in local elections in non-presidential and gubernatorial election years. These changes would, in essence, manipulate the election process to better serve the majority party.
Bond Questions
There are also three Bond Questions on the election ballot this fall. They ask voters to approve total borrowing of approximately $200 million to improve higher and public education, tribal schools, libraries, and senior citizen facilities.
While the Republican Party supports higher and public education, tribal schools, libraries and improvements for senior center facilities, these bond measures must be weighed against the economic and health crises along with the mismanagement our state currently faces. We must question whether approving the sale and issuance of $200 million in bonds makes economic sense at this critical time.
Given New Mexico’s economic crisis and budget troubles at this time, we believe it will not be prudent to burden future generations with more debt load. We believe everyone should decide whether it is wise to borrow such money.
During a time of such uncertainly and unemployment caused by COVID-19 and the Gov. Lujan Grisham’s response, now is not the appropriate time to borrow big and pay the price of future indebtedness.
While the bonds would pay for important items, New Mexico might need this money to fight the pandemic.