Results from 2016 legislative session. Courtesy/RGF RGF News:
ALBUQUERQUE ― During the 2016 legislative session, the Rio Grande Foundation again tracked the floor votes of legislators and their impact on freedom within the Land of Enchantment. The information is available here with local information provided in separate links at the website as well.
Rio Grande Foundation President Paul Gessing said of the 2016 session, “Like many, we at the Rio Grande Foundation were pleased at the cooperative spirit on display during the short, 30-day legislative session. Important compromises were made on drivers’ licenses and even on a few economic freedom issues like a regulatory framework for “ride-sharing” and reduced worker’s compensation benefits for those who show up drunk or stoned on the job.
“Both tax hikes and minimum wage increases failed as did (perennial) efforts to tap New Mexico’s Permanent Fund for more spending. The big clouds that continue to hang over New Mexico are declining oil and gas revenues and economic malaise.
“Unfortunately, too little was done to really address New Mexico’s economic condition and the budget picture remains unclear likely requiring substantial cuts, possibly including a special session. While the Legislature as a whole had a modestly-successful session, individual legislators consistently voted for economic freedom and others did not.”
(NOTE: Senators had fewer points to earn than House members, for details check the Freedom Index at www.riograndefoundation.org).
RGF Mission Statement: The Rio Grande Foundation is a research institute dedicated to increasing liberty and prosperity for all of New Mexico’s citizens. We do this by informing New Mexicans of the importance of individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity.
