TWO DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBERS ARE STILL OUT WITH ILLNESSES AS THE 2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENTERS THE HOME STRETCH IN SANTA FE. AND POLITICAL ANALYST JOE MONAHAN SAYS THAT'S HAVING JUST THE IMPACT DEMOCRATS FEARED, AS THE HOUSE WAS UNABLE TO PASS A BUDGET LAST WEEK. HE SAYS THEY LOST THE FIRST BUDGET VOTE AND MUST NOW NEGOTIATE WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND GOVERNOR MARTINEZ, WHO HAVE THE UPPER HAND.
THE ABSENCE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES ERNEST CHAVEZ AND PHILLIP ARCHULETA REDUCES THE DEMOCRATS' ADVANTAGE IN THE HOUSE TO 35-33. ONE DEMOCRAT VOTED WITH THE G-O-P, MEANING THE BUDGET VOTE ENDED IN A 34-34 TIE.
