FGGAM News just received this news release from the New Mexico GOP Senate:
New Mexico Republican Senators Respond to Governor’s COVID Update
Senator Baca and Senator Pirtle applaud long-overdue modifications to outdated reopening framework
SANTA FE – Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials announced long-overdue modifications to the controversial Red to Turquoise reopening framework. Following multiple requests from Republican leaders and concerned citizens, the new framework includes adjustments to the daily case and test positivity rate metrics, and adds a new vaccination rate metric. The Governor also announced that the metric to reopen the state is now 60% of New Mexicans fully vaccinated – a number projected to be met in nine more weeks.
Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia) and Senator Cliff Pirtle (District 32-Chaves, Eddy, and Otero), who have long pushed for changes to the outdated framework, applauded the modifications while expressing some disappointment in the delayed action.
“I am disappointed that politics got in the way of this self-evident reform to the reopening framework,” said Senator Baca. “We have been shouting for months that the people in our communities are suffering because of these continued illogical and unscientific protocols. While I am thankful that the Governor has finally taken action to remedy some of these issues, I hope it is not too little, too late.”
“My message to the Governor on behalf of most citizens of New Mexico is, it’s about time,” said Senator Pirtle. “Though my constituents would prefer a full reopening of the state, this change to the calculation is an important update to the reopening framework. Small business owners who just survived the worst operating year in modern history should not have to wonder if they might have the rug pulled out from under them because of a regression triggered by a handful of people.”
According to the Governor, the new framework metrics will go into effect this Friday, April 30.
