FGGAM NEWS received this news release from the Governor’s office:
Governor Susana Martinez Issues Proclamation for Special Session
Santa Fe, NM — Today, Governor Susana Martinez issued the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO PROVIDES THAT SPECIAL SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE MAY BE CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR;
WHEREAS, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO FURTHER PROVIDES THAT NO BUSINESS SHALL BE TRANSACTED EXCEPT SUCH AS RELATES TO OBJECTS SPECIFIED IN THE PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR;
WHEREAS, IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES CRITICAL TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH, WELFARE, AND PUBLIC SAFETY OF NEW MEXICO AND ITS CITIZENS IS NECESSARY, AND SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE ARISEN SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE;
WHEREAS, UNAVOIDABLE AND SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES RESULTED IN A DECLINE IN ENERGY PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT LOSSES THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED STATE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX, CORPORATE INCOME TAX, AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX REVENUES, LEADING TO BUDGET PROJECTIONS INDICATING THAT THE STATE FACES A SIGNIFICANT BUDGET SHORTFALL IN FISCAL YEARS 2016 AND 2017;
WHEREAS, THE CURRENT BUDGET SITUATION MAKES IT INCUMBENT UPON STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AND PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR ENDURING ECONOMIC STABILITY;
WHEREAS, THE STATE BUDGET CAN BE BALANCED BY MAKING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE REDUCTIONS TO STATE EXPENDITURES THAT DO NOT HINDER PUBLIC EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, OR CHILD WELLBEING, AND WITHOUT RAISING TAXES;
WHEREAS, RECENT LOCAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS HAVE REINFORCED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CHILDREN; AND
WHEREAS, NEW MEXICANS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE SAFE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES FROM VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDERS.
NOW, THEREFORE I, SUSANA MARTINEZ, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME PURSUANT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DO HEREBY CALL THE FIFTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE INTO SPECIAL SESSION AT TWELVE P.M. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016, AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN SANTA FE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE IV, SECTION 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO, THIS SPECIAL SESSION IS CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING AND ENACTING LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS, AND NO OTHERS:
1. LEGISLATION TO BALANCE THE STATE’S FISCAL YEARS 2016 AND 2017 BUDGETS, LIMITED TO SUCH MEASURES AS SET FORTH BELOW:
a. TRANSFERRING MONEY FROM THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PERMANENT FUND TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND 2017 APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS OF THE GENERAL FUND AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS, TRANSFERS AND REVERSIONS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL FUND FROM OTHER FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS;
b. CAPITAL OUTLAY LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR:
i. THE DEAUTHORIZATION AND REVERSION OF UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED GENERAL FUND AND SEVERANCE TAX BOND APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR CAPITAL PURPOSES;
ii. THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE STATE BOARD OF FINANCE TO ISSUE SEVERANCE TAX BONDS WITH A TERM THAT DOES NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2017 IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNTS THAT MAY BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO NMSA 1978, SECTION 7-27-14 FOR APPROPRIATION TO THE GENERAL FUND TO RESTORE THE GENERAL FUND FOR ALLOTMENTS MADE FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR GENERAL FUND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES APPROPRIATED IN PRIOR SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE;
iii. THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE STATE BOARD OF FINANCE TO ISSUE SEVERANCE TAX BONDS;
iv. THE DEAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN SEVERANCE TAX BOND APPROPRIATIONS FOR WHICH BONDS HAVE NOT BEEN ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF FINANCE;
v. THE REDUCTION OF THE PERCENTAGE OF SEVERANCE TAX BONDING CAPACITY FOR CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND EACH SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEAR;
c. THE AMENDMENT OF NMSA 1978, SECTION 22-24-4 TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAPITAL OUTLAY COUNCIL’S AUTHORITY TO MAKE AWARDS FOR BUILDING SYSTEM REPAIR, RENOVATION, AND REPLACEMENT PROJECTS, AND TO APPROPRIATE SUPPLEMENTAL SEVERANCE TAX BOND CAPACITY TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSSES AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS STATEWIDE;
d. AMENDMENTS TO REFORM AND SIMPLIFY EXISTING SECTIONS OF LAW RELATING TO TAXATION AND REVENUE;
e. THE ENACTMENT OF NEW SECTIONS OF LAW AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING SECTIONS OF LAW TO IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATION REDUCTIONS MADE IN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE;
f. THE AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS OF LAW RELATING TO RETIREMENT ACTS TO ADDRESS CONTRIBUTIONS AND BALANCES;
2. A BILL REINSTATING THE DEATH PENALTY AS THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CERTAIN VIOLENT CRIMES;
3. A BILL PROVIDING ADDITIONAL VIOLENT FELONIES IN THE CRIMINAL SENTENCING ACT FOR THE PURPOSES OF MANDATORY LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE VIOLENT FELONY CONVICTIONS;
4. A BILL PROVIDING FOR LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR INTENTIONAL CHILD ABUSE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF A CHILD IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CHILD’S AGE; AND
5. A BILL PROVIDING NECESSARY FUNDS FROM LEGISLATIVE CASH BALANCES FOR LEGISLATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR THIS SPECIAL SESSION.
SIGNED AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 29TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2016.
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
BRAD WINTER
SECRETARY OF STATE
