Lawmakers Learning To Say "No" to Richardson's Proposals (NM)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | Saturday, February 18, 2006 | Barry Massey, AP

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE — Leading up to this year's legislative session, Gov. Bill Richardson proclaimed 2006 the "year of the child'' for his proposals. The "year of the Legislature'' might be a better description of the just-ended session, however.

More than any time during Richardson's administration, lawmakers — particularly the Senate — exerted greater independence on a wider range of policy decisions.

A number of Richardson's proposals died in the Legislature: a higher minimum wage; tax cuts, including an $18 million income tax credit for the working poor; most of his anti-corruption package; and a $250 million road construction program.

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That's in sharp contrast to the Legislature's open-ended grant of authority to the governor in 2003 for a planned commuter rail — a decision that some lawmakers regret as cost estimates for the train climb higher than anticipated.

Even with the commuter rail, the Legislature tried to regain some control. Tucked away in a budget bill is a provision intended to cap spending on the project at $393 million, which is the current cost projected by the Transportation Department. Lawmakers made part of the department's budget contingent upon the agency not exceeding that cap for the commuter rail.

Richardson, at a news conference shortly after lawmakers had adjourned, called it "the least productive session that I've had as a governor.''

Legislators don't necessarily see the session as a half-empty glass, as Richardson might.Perhaps the best explanation for the Legislature's willingness to say "no'' to Richardson came from Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez [a Democrat].

"Maybe the good governor is a little frustrated with people who like to review legislation and like to deliberate and like to make sure that the people of the state of New Mexico are getting good legislation, constitutional legislation,'' Sanchez said.

[CedarDave]

Grandstanders who aspire for higher political office aren't always appreciated, even by members of their own political party.

[CedarDave]

(Notice the crown!)

[golfisnr1]

Liberal Governor and conservative legislature. Stalemate!
I love it.

[Brilliant]

A number of Richardson's proposals died in the Legislature: a higher minimum wage; tax cuts, including an $18 million income tax credit for the working poor; most of his anti-corruption package; and a $250 million road construction program.




I that case, I'm guessing that his biggest proposal that got killed was a massive deficit at a time when they should be running a massive surplus.