Roundhouse Report #3

This week the Senate was not in session on Wednesday as the entire Senate Contingent, along with many State Representatives, Governor Richardson, and Lt. Governor Denish, as well as many others from around the State traveled to Roswell to attned the memorial service for Patty Jenning's, Senator Pro Tempore Tim Jennings' wife.  Mrs. Jennings passed away on Valentine's day after a long, heroic struggle with breast cancer.  That poignant moment brought, once again, to the attention of the Legislators in attendance many of the healthcare issues that they must face during this 60-day session and in the years to come to ensure that New Mexican's quality of life is the best it can be.

This week two of the bills that I introduced in the Senate went before committees.

Senate Bill 313 (Relating to Criminal Offenses:  Providing that Extreme Cruelty to Animals Includes Abandoment, Starvation, and Dehydration) went before the Conservation Committee and passed out of that hearing with a vote of 8-0 in favor of the legislation.  I'm particularly pleased that I was supported on this bill by both the New Mexico Cattle Growers & Wool Growers Association and Animal Protection Voters.  The New Mexico Veterinations Association also spoke in favor of the bill during the hearing.

Senate Bill 494 (Electronic Stalking of Child on the Internet) went before the Judiciary Committee.  I was asked by Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez to carry this bill because of his deep concern about the potential threats to children in New Mexico by criminals who use the internet to lure young children into dangerous situations.  There was very little discussion by the committee on this seminal matter that has been in the national press all too often in the last few years.  Every Democrat and Republican on the committee voted in favor of the bill.