You're Lucky We Let You Testify About Bills...

Those words were uttered by State Sen Joe Cervantes, if I remember correctly, during the 2020 Legislative session in Santa Fe. "Lucky"?  It is our duty as citizens to participate in our legislature. That being said, the Governor, Michelle Lujan-Grisham, has called for a Special Session. I've no idea what they are going to address, but they NEED to address the budget and the excessive spending that they approved earlier this year. The Governor and the Legislature have spent ALL of the $2 BILLION surplus that was left by the prior administration. They spent it in under 2 years! Totally irresponsible! 

So, I'm guessing during the Special Session, they're going to go after the Permanent Fund, to raid it. You may be asking, "What's the Permanent Fund?"

The Land Grant Permanent Fund is also known as the Permanent School Fund. It is one of the largest funds of its kind in the country, and every year provides more than a half-billion dollars in benefits to New Mexico's public schools, universities, and other beneficiaries ($784.2 million in FY20). The Fund gets its money from the state's natural resources: oil, gas, coal, and other finite resources. Those same resources which are under attack by the Governor with her mini "green new deal."

That's just info given to prime you for the real issue that's coming up with the Special Session - we are BANNED from attending & testifying for or against bills, bills that directly affect us and our pockets.

The Legislature has banned we the people, the citizens who elect & employ them, from attending and speaking at the session. They are denying us our right to participate in government. However, they are going to allow the media to attend.

In addition, lawmakers have mandated that all staff, who are working during the session, MUST be tested for COVID-19. However, the 'lawmakers' have EXEMPTED themselves from testing, saying that the lawmakers aren't required to be tested because we might have to bar any lawmaker that is COVID positive. If you ask me, they really seem to think they are better than everyone else, you know, we 'pee ons'. Nothing has been said as to whether the 'media' will have to be tested.

Democrat leaders are talking about allowing 'virtual' meetings. The New Mexico constitution, which they have a tendency to ignore, lawmakers are required to meet in person on budget matters. Last I knew, 'virtual' meetings aren't considered 'in person'.

Regardless of your political leanings, ALL citizens of New Mexico need to call their representatives and voice their displeasure & concerns over being eliminated from the legislative process. We are being denied our right to address our government and remember... 

"You're lucky we allow you to testify on bills at all."

Yours in the Socialist State of New Mexico...