Dem NM House Speaker Martínez previews goals for upcoming session
In a revealing interview with the New Mexico Democrat Party’s Chair Jessica Velasquez for the Democrats’ “Blue Opiñon” newsletter, Speaker Javier Martínez shared his vision and expectations for the upcoming legislative session, along with his commentary on his party. The interview, available for viewing at this link, offered a glimpse into the priorities and challenges as seen by the Speaker.
Speaker Martínez proudly highlighted the supposed diversity of the NM Democrat Caucus leadership, claiming it to be “the most diverse in the country.” He noted the presence of many “young mothers” among the leadership.
Looking ahead under his leadership, Martínez emphasized his desire to maintain a “tone of civility” in the legislative process. He committed to avoid debating controversial bills in the early hours, stating, “We try our best not to debate controversial bills at three in the morning.” He says he expects the 2024 Legislative Session to be a “really productive session.”
As for the 2024 elections, Martínez confidently projected that the Democratic majority, currently holding 45 seats, is set to grow.
In terms of legislative priorities for the next session, Martínez outlined several key areas:
- Education: He wants the creation of the “Tribal education trust fund” sponsored by state Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
- Early Childhood Education: Martínez plans to build upon the existing fund, which is already spending billions on socialist taxpayer-funded “free” daycare.
- “Climate Change”: He mentioned incentives for solar panels and electric vehicles, along with geothermal subsidies.
- Public Safety: The Speaker stressed what he perceived to be the need for behavioral health funding to address “generations of divestment” and to “hold criminal actors accountable for their crimes.”
- “Economic Diversification”: Martínez discussed expanding legal marijuana, opportunity investment funds, and addressing climate change.
- “Gun Safety”: He expressed a firm stance to “tackle head-on” bills Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wants to snatch New Mexicans’ rights.
Martínez ended the interview by emphasizing wanting to keep New Mexico to be a “safe space” to be a “transgender person, a transgender child, as well as abortion.” He said, “We are a very Catholic state,” but “we are also a place where women can access reproductive health care [abortion up-to-birth] and transgender children can live to be themselves.”
This interview provides a clear roadmap of the legislative and social issues that Speaker Martínez and the NM Democrat Caucus plan to address in the coming legislative session, as well as some key topics he aims to prioritize.
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