When the Legislature meets during the 30 day session, the constitutional mandate is clear:
B. Every regular session of the legislature convening during an even-numbered year shall consider only the following:
(1) budgets, appropriations and revenue bills;
(2) bills drawn pursuant to special messages of the governor; and
(3) bills of the last previous regular session vetoed by the governor.
(As amended November 5, 1940, November 5, 1946, and November 3, 1964.)
Yet, despite this clarity of purpose, they adjourned the session without passing a budget:
The 30-day legislative session sputtered to a stop with no agreement on a budget or tax hikes, ensuring a special session that Gov. Bill Richardson said will begin Wednesday.
Addressing the budget deficit was the singular most important item this session, but instead of focusing on the topic at hand, hundreds of other bills were introduced. Which means during a time of budgetary crisis, the Governor will be calling the legislature into a special session at an extra cost to working families of $50,000 per day. Almost as offensive as the failure to get the job done because of a lack of focus, is the promise to once again introduce of legislation of no pressing consequence:
The special session would be devoted almost exclusively to budget matters, with perhaps “another item or two” on the agenda, according to the governor.
You waste our money during the legislative session by refusing to focus on the singular topic of importance, and now you promise to do the same in a special session. Anyone who is elected, or seeking elected office, and does not take issue with this, does not deserve to hold elected office.