Font ResizeDays remaining in session: 53
• Rawson Confirmed: The New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of former state senator and Las Cruces businessman Lee Rawson as a member of the State Investment Council.
Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, sponsored Rawson's confirmation for the two-year term and spoke highly of his former colleague Monday.
"Lee Rawson has a wealth of knowledge that will continue to benefit the state of New Mexico as he serves as a public member on the State Investment Council," Ingle said. "Lee Rawson is known for his high integrity, keen sense of rightness, professionalism in all he does and his desire for good government. All of Rawson's qualities are vital on the State Investment Council that deals with billions and billions of state dollars."
The primary responsibility of the SIC is to manage the state's $14 billion permanent trust funds, including the Land Grant Permanent Fund, the Severance Tax Permanent Fund and the Tobacco Settlement Fund.
• The AG's Agenda: Attorney General Gary King will be pushing the Legislature to pass a law allowing all counties to hold referendums on whether the tax on liquor can be raised to fund alcohol and drug-awareness programs.
"McKinley County has successfully used its ability to raise additional revenues to address serious alcohol and drug abuse problems; that option should be expanded statewide," said in a Monday news release. All counties in the
King also said he's backing several ethics and campaign finance bills including a yet-to-be introduced measure that would prohibit state contractors from contributing to political campaigns.
He also wants legislation to impose a usury cap on small loans as well as mortgage-foreclosure reforms to protect "innocent homeowners."
• Insurance Sunshine: Insurance companies would be required to justify premium increases in a more transparent way and give consumers a say through public hearings according to a bill introduced last week by Sen. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque.
The measure (SB208) would require companies requesting rate hikes to prove that their proposed rates are "reasonable, not excessive or inadequate, and not unfairly discrimination."
Companies would have to prove that they are based on reasonable administrative expenses and medical cost increases. The companies would be required to provide information on past premium increases, profits, reserves, surpluses, cost containment efforts, claims history, executive salaries and benefits, and ratios between amounts spent on direct services and administrative expenses.
• Eliminate the PRC: Sen. Lynda Lovejoy, D-Crownpoint, a former member of the Public Regulation Commission, introduced legislation Monday to eliminate her old agency. The PRC, which regulates many high-profile industries, including electricity and title insurance markets, has been in the news in recent years. Add to that fact that the PRC's State Division of Insurance also has generated a bit of controversy, especially in its handling last year of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico's request to raise premium rates.
The legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 6, faces a couple of obstacles. The Legislature would have to pass it first. Then New Mexico's voters would have to approve it at the next general election.
"I'm not sure where it's going to go or whether it's symbolic or not," Sen. Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said of the legislation Monday. "I just think because of the controversy over the last two or three years this is maybe a wake-up call to them. I haven't talked to the sponsor about what her intent is. But I'm sure it will get their attention, if it hasn't already."
• Pump up the Bandwidth Redux: A few days after bumping up the bandwidth at the state Capitol, a legislative agency is thinking about increasing it again.
The bandwidth started off this year's session at 1.5 megabits per second. Last week, the Legislative Council Service bumped up the bandwidth twice - to 4 megabits and then to 8 megabits.
Now, the LCS is looking at an even larger bandwidth to handle increased Internet traffic.
Think of bandwidth as a highway for digital information. A small bandwidth is like a two-lane road. The more people use it, the slower the information travels. A bigger bandwidth might widen the highway to four lanes, allowing for more information to flow faster.
Part of the strain on the bandwidth is the profusion of people who have devices able to connect to the Internet and who are going to the legislative website. Add in the fact that more people also are taking the opportunity to use the website's audio and video webcasting, and the combo is putting a strain on the website.
Looking Ahead:
• The House and the Senate reconvene at 10 a.m. Later in the morning Chief Justice Charles Daniels of the state Supreme Court will address a joint session of the House and Senate on the state of the judiciary in New Mexico.
• Tuesday is "Thank You Day for Mentors." There will be an event in the Rotunda at 9 a.m.
• Tuesday also is Human Rights Day at the Legislature. There's a news conference scheduled at 1:30 p.m and a rally at 2 p.m
There are several invitation-only parties, receptions and meals for legislators, including:
• Council of State Government WEST Western Legislative Academy Alumni Breakfast at the Capitol.
• Annual Reception Honoring Elected and Appointed Women at the Dragon Room of the Pink Adobe
• Sierra County Economic Development Organization Legislative Dinner, La Fonda.
• Friends of the Legislature, La Fonda Hotel, 6:30 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Dinner, (Invitation Only)
