Larry Thomas

Resolutions calling for a convention of the states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution were introduced in the 2023 New Mexico Legislature: Senate Joint Resolution 5 (S.J.R. 5) and House Joint Resolution 13 (H.J.R. 13).  Common Cause New Mexico, a special interest pressure group, proudly claims credit in their fundraising letters for stopping them.

I reside in New Mexico state Senate District 10, whose senator, Katy Duhigg, chairs the Senate Rules Committee to which S.J.R. 5 was referred.  A former State Vice-Chair of Common Cause New Mexico, Duhigg refused to schedule SJR5 for a hearing, taking it upon herself to stifle the process and bury a piece of legislation her organization doesn’t like.

By its 2022 national survey, the Trafalgar Group found that over two-thirds of American voters support calling for an Article V Convention of States to propose amendments that 1) limit federal spending, 2) limit federal power, and 3) impose term limits on members of Congress and federal officials.  In fact, over 18,000 New Mexicans have signed petitions and demonstrated active support for holding a convention.

Duhigg’s tactic of intentionally not scheduling a matter assigned to her committee by the senate leadership is a mishandling of power and an affront to any lawmaker who brings any legislation forward in good faith.  The facts of the Trafalgar poll confirm the citizens of New Mexico and Senate District 10 deserve better.

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