'Hard to be optimistic:' ABQ Chamber disappointed with special session results

Jul. 22—Like Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce had hoped for substantial debate on public safety legislation in last week's special session.

It quickly became apparent Thursday that wouldn't happen, the Chamber said after the Legislature adjourned the same day after only passing one bill.

Lawmakers in five hours passed a $103 million appropriations bill, with $100 million for disaster relief efforts and $3 million for judiciary pilot programs focused on assisted outpatient treatment and competency diversion.

The Chamber went into the special session unanimously endorsing all of the governor's public safety proposals, including definitions impacting civil commitment, additional criminal competency considerations in court and criminalizing occupancy on most medians.

Republicans introduced a slew of bills in the Senate, including the governor's priorities.

None of those measures passed. None even made it to committee.

In a statement after the Legislature adjourned, Lujan Grisham expressed her disappointment in policymakers' inability "to adopt common-sense legislation to make New Mexicans safer." The governor said she walked through a neighborhood earlier that day "ravaged by dangerous activity and everyday petty crime."

"Families can't walk in the park, employees are scared to go to work, and businesses are shuttering," she said. "For the Legislature to ignore these stark realities is nothing less than a dereliction of duty."

The governor on Friday hadn't ruled out calling another special session.

Chamber Board Chairman Del Esparza and President and CEO Terri Cole in a joint statement thanked Lujan Grisham for her work toward "making our state safer for our businesses and families."

"We appreciate your recognition of the crisis and your pledge to do something about it," they said. "We look forward to your next effort, because we know you won't quit."

The Chamber in its email wrap-up said "it's hard to be optimistic about positive legislative action to fight crime" but it's committed to continue advocating for a safer New Mexico.

"And, as we've said many times before, anything can happen," the email stated.

As the 60-day session set for 2025 looms, Democratic lawmakers have said they'll continue focusing on complex crime issues in the interim so they can address the matters in January. The next interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee meeting is Aug. 12-14 in Albuquerque.