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Leading New Mexico House Republicans say they want the Legislature to be called into a special session to pass bills to address the state’s high crime rate.
House Minority Leader Jim Townsend, R-Artesia; House Minority Whip Rod Montoya, R-Farmington; and House Republican Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences, signed the letter dated Aug. 18 that was sent to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat.
“The current situation can only be described as a public emergency as the increasing crime rate only seems to get worse with each passing day,” the letter states. The letter was also sent to House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque.
In the letter it is also suggested that 11 crime bills introduced during the 2020 and 2021 sessions, which were not taken up, be included on the legislative agenda. The bills range from doing away with a statute of limitations on second-degree murder to increased penalties for crimes and reforms related to when suspects can be released on bond.
Townsend said Thursday that if Lujan Grisham does not call a special session, members of the New Mexico House and Senate should call themselves into an extraordinary session, something that would require the approval of three-fifths of the members of the two Democratic-controlled chambers.
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Lujan Grisham said in a recent television interview that she wants crime to be a major part of the next regular 30-day legislative session in January. Lawmakers are already expected to be called into session later this year to approve a redistricting plan for the state’s congressional and legislative districts.
The suggestion for a special session comes as the state faces a persistently high crime rate, especially in the city of Albuquerque.
Thursday three Albuquerque police officers were shot and wounded. Statistics on the Albuquerque Police Department website state that so far this year, 81 people have been victims of homicide in that city.
On Tuesday additional New Mexico State Police officers were deployed to Albuquerque to find and apprehend violent criminals wanted on active warrants and take on issues such as drug trafficking, vehicle thefts, reckless driving and driving under the influence on Interstates 25 and 40, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
A special or extraordinary session, Townsend said, has broad support among House and Senate Republicans, and some Democrats could be persuaded to back it.
However, those who support stiffer criminal penalties doubt such a session will happen. “No I don’t think it is going to happen,” state Rep. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, said.
When asked about a possible special session, the governor’s spokesperson did not explicitly rule it out.
“The governor and state administration are keenly aware of the public safety issues facing Bernalillo County, the metro area, and the state as a whole,” said Nora Meyers Sackett, Lujan Grisham’s press secretary. She pointed to efforts Lujan Grisham supports, such as funding 1,000 new police officers across the state, as well as combating root causes of crime such as poverty, and dealing with drug abuse.
“The governor continues to be available to legislative leaders of all parties in their efforts to gain support for their priorities, on this and any other subject,” Sackett said.
Breaking news reporter Alex Ross can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 301, or breakingnews@rdrnews.com.
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NM House GOP calls for special session on crime - Roswell Daily Record
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