Senate Republicans Raise Concerns Regarding Executive “Power Grab” in Senate Bill 8
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2021
Contact: Joaquin Romero
(505) 506-5798
Senate Republicans Raise Concerns Regarding Executive “Power Grab” in Senate Bill 8
SANTA FE – New Mexico Senate Republicans today raised serious concerns regarding the expansion of Executive power in Senate Bill 8. The legislation, which has broad support from Senate Democratic leadership, seeks to amend multiple sections of law to allow a board of the Governor’s political appointees to adopt new and excessive environmental regulations.
“This bill gives the Governor broad authority, through her political appointments to the Environmental Improvement Board, to institute new regulations more stringent than the federal standards,” said Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia). “The Legislature must stop divesting itself of the rightful authority and oversight given to us by the voters and our constitution.”
“The last time the Senate and House removed legislative oversight, the Governor unilaterally closed our state for a year,” added Senator William Sharer (District 1-San Juan). “Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past. This is yet another power grab by the Executive, and if there is one thing we have learned over the past year, it is that no governor should have this much power.”
Senate Bill 8 is on the Calendar and may be voted on by the Senate today.
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