NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – With the legislative session less than two weeks away, the House Democrats share some of the key policy issues they’re hoping to tackle. They’re proposing bills aimed at improving education and boosting the economy, but at the top of the list is public safety.
Speaker of the House, Javier Martinez led Friday’s meeting along with other house leaders, saying many pieces of legislation this year will prioritize making New Mexicans safer. “This legislative session we will be focusing on making life better and more affordable for you and your family,” said Javier Martínez, Speaker of the House.
Martinez is telling New Mexicans they want to ensure the safety and well-being of the state’s communities. In Albuquerque’s historical Martineztown neighborhood, the speaker – along with other Democratic leaders – shared the policies they’ll be focusing on, including CYFD reform.
“The agency is broken and our children need help. We will propose the creation of an independent office of the child advocate within the New Mexico Department of Justice and we will bring and demand greater accountability, transparency, and oversight from this critically important agency,” said Martínez.
Lawmakers said another important priority is public safety, like supporting law enforcement and investing money into communities to address crime at its roots. “Our efforts in the upcoming session will be focused on holding violent criminals accountable, preventing recidivism, [and] improving our behavioral health care and substance use treatment systems,” said Rep. Christine Chandler (D), Los Alamos.
They also discussed the push to tighten DWI laws, increase punishments for crimes related to human trafficking, and prevent youth crime. “Addressing juvenile crime to prevent our youth from becoming involved in crime, whether as victims or as perpetrators, reducing gun violence by making necessary red flag laws, and addressing gun threats in our schools,” said Rep. Chandler.
With a few days before the session, leaders say they’re optimistic these policies will move forward with bipartisan support. “I’m hopeful and I fully expect that compromise can be reached. Not only on this issue but a host of a variety of issues,” said Martínez.
Lawmakers also shared that in order to address behavioral health, they’ve developed a plan to put a down payment of $200 million, the money will help meet the backlog of patients who are currently seeking treatment and build capacity to accommodate more people needing help. The 60-day legislative session is set to begin on January 21.