Dear Friends:
With just over a week left in the 2020 Legislative Session, the State Capitol is bustling with activity—some of it good; some of it bad; and some of it just plain ugly.
The GOOD – Protecting pregnant mothers and babies
It is not every day that pro-life and pro-abortion groups come together to support a bill, but that is exactly what happened with HB25, a pregnant worker accommodation bill, sponsored by Representative Gail Chasey (D-Bernalillo). This legislation protects pregnant women from being terminated solely because of their pregnancy and requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for them. HB25 received overwhelming support from lawmakers and business organizations and passed the House 65-0. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Another bill that should have garnered bipartisan support from Legislators and the Governor is HB190, introduced by Representative Joseph Sanchez (D-Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, & San Miguel). This legislation seeks to update the “Safe Haven for Infants Act” which allows for the installation of safety devices for the surrender of newborn children. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has not yet added this item to the Session agenda.
The BAD – Recreational pot: the Soros connection and conflicts of interest
Last week, our Executive Director, Vince Torres, sent a letter to Governor Lujan Grisham and the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Dona Ana). In the letter, he questioned the legitimacy of the Governor’s Working Group on Marijuana Legalization, noting that the Group’s work was apparently funded by a private group with ties to George Soros and the Drug Policy Alliance. The controversy does not end there, however. As reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe), an attorney by trade, has represented the state’s largest medicinal marijuana company—a company that has publicly stated its desire to expand into the recreational use market. Add to this the near $120,000 the Governor’s campaign received from the marijuana industry and it is clear—the public health and safety of New Mexico is being sacrificed in order to benefit a handful of pot investors.
The UGLY – Governor still working to pass abortion up-to-birth bill
Over the weekend, we were notified by credible sources that Governor Lujan Grisham is still trying to pressure pro-life Democrats in the Senate to support legislation to codify abortion up-to-birth, for any reason, in state law. As a result, we are encouraging all pro-life New Mexicans to contact the Governor and their legislators as soon as possible to voice their opposition to this unfortunate maneuver.
Will you do 3 things?
- If you have not already responded to our Action Alert urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose recreational marijuana, please do so today by clicking here. SB115 will likely be heard in the Committee on Wednesday, at 2:30PM, in Room 321.
- If you have not already done so, please click here to quickly send a message to the Governor and your Legislators expressing your opposition to radical abortion legislation.
- Please call the Governor’s Office at (505) 476-2200 and tell them, “No more pro-abortion legislation.”
On to the Final Week
The Legislative Session concludes next Thursday at noon. That may seem like a small amount of time but— trust us—a lot can happen in the final days as pressures mount! Therefore, we will continue to keep you informed on what is happening and opportunities for you to engage and speak up.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
The Kansas Family Voice of New Mexico Team