HOUSE BILL SEVEN IS FINALLY PASSED BY THE STATE HOUSE AT THE SPECIAL SESSION IN SANTA FE. IT’S LEGISLATION THAT REINSTATES THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF KILLING CHILDREN, POLICE OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.
IT TOOK A 5-HOUR DEBATE THAT STARTED AFTER MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, WHEN THE DEATH PENALTY BILL WAS INTRODUCED. DEMOCRATS PROTESTED THE DECISION TO HOLD THE FLOOR DEBATE AT THAT TIME WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE … WHEN MOST EVERYONE ELSE WAS ASLEEP. THEY CALLED IT A “MOVE TO AVOID PUBLIC SCRUTINY.”
THE DEATH PENALTY WAS REPEALED IN 2009 UNDER THE RICHARDSON ADMINISTRATION. GOVERNOR MARTINEZ HAS BEEN PUSHING TO REINSTATE IT IN THE WAKE OF THE MURDERS OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS AND 10 YEAR OLD VICTORIA MARTENS OF ALBUQUERQUE.
THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A TAX PACKAGE IN SANTA FE. IT’S PART OF AN OVERALL PLAN TO SHORE UP THE STATE’S BUDGET DEFICIT. A RELEASE FROM THE HOUSE GOP SAYS IT AMENDS SENATE BILL 6 TO PROTECT CRUCIAL JOB CREATION INCENTIVES AND PREVENT TAX HIKES ON HARD-WORKING NEW MEXICANS.
