FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2022
Contact: Joaquin Romero
Senate Republican Leader Issues Statement Following Conclusion ofLegislative Session
SANTA FE – Today the Senate concluded its work and adjourned sine die. After theadjournment, Senate Republican Leader,Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia), issued the following statement:
"Today was a good day for New Mexico. Republicans in the Senate and House undertook the task of fighting back on some of the most radical legislation ever rolled into a 30-day session. At the same time, we seized the moment to take meaningful steps forward on legislation to benefit New Mexico's veterans, seniors, and families.
Contrary to what the progressive left will tell you, it was the progressives in the Legislature who faced the uphill battle this Session. One in five New Mexicans witnessed illegal or questionable election activity. Families across our state are facing once in a generation inflation rates. Our kids are still forced to mask in school despite overwhelming data to the contrary. And we are paying record prices at the pump. Yet, radical progressives in the Legislature introduced bills to enshrine fraud in our elections, weaken sentences for violent offenders, and increase prices at the pump by up to 50 cents per gallon. Thankfully, Republicans stood firm and held the line in the Senate and House to defeat the worst measures.
While the radicals in the Roundhouse worked their out-of-touch bills, we worked across the isle to hold the Governor to her word. We worked key Republican initiatives into the final tax package to repeal the tax on most New Mexicans' social security benefits. We began the process of lifting the income tax for our military retiree's. And we negotiated a $250 tax rebate for most New Mexico taxpayers. We also saw movement on crime legislation to remove the statute of limitations on second degree murder, increase penalties for homicide, and create new crimes, including that of owning or operating a 'chop shop.' Clearly, the Governor is hostage to her radical base as she failed to convince her party's members to close the revolving door on crime. Nonetheless, these measures, as well as increasing pay for law enforcement and teachers, left us all with something to cheer for.
Although Republicans are currently a near super-minority in both chambers, it seems clear that the mandate of the people has been heard loud and clear in this building. We hear you and we will not cease our fight to bring your values to the Roundhouse. We will continue our work to bring our economy back from the brink of disaster. We will not relent in our fight for school choice. We will always stand by our law enforcement and we will continue our fight to end the revolving door on crime.
New Mexico is a state worth fighting for and we are proud to be your voice in Santa Fe."
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