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Democracy reforms are moving in the Roundhouse!

Common Cause New Mexico priority bills are already being heard and passed through legislative committees.

In the first week of the 2025 New Mexico State Legislature, we saw several of our key priorities introduced. Here’s what we’re working to pass and information about how you can help us make the most of this 60-day session!

SJR 1 LEGISLATIVE SALARIES COMMISSION, CA

Sponsored by Sen. Natalie Figueroa, Sen. Peter Wirth, Rep. Joy Garratt, Rep. Angelica Rubio, and Sen. Katy M. Duhigg 

This resolution, if passed, would add a question to the 2026 general election ballot asking voters if they approve of amending the state constitution to allow for legislators to receive compensation and create an independent citizens commission to set legislative salaries.

A recent article by Heath Haussmann described the need to modernize the legislature and pay our lawmakers:

New Mexico is the only state that doesn’t pay its representatives and senators. Given today’s economy, that means the Legislature is not representative of New Mexicans. Few working-class people and parents of small children can afford to serve. Retirees, business owners and lawyers have a much easier time serving than so many other folks.

Because the Legislature lacks a more diverse range of voices, too many of our elected officials lose touch with the people they serve.

Some are also juggling legislative work with a job that pays their bills, and they’re stretched thin. This does not create optimal conditions for people to effectively address our state’s very serious challenges.

SJR 1 has been referred to Senate Rules Committee and then Senate Finance Committee. If your senator serves on either of these committees, please urge them to vote for a do-pass on SJR 1!

SB 16 NON-MAJOR PARTY VOTERS IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS

Sponsored by Sen. Natalie Figueroa, Sen. Peter Wirth, Rep. Kathleen Cates, Rep. Cristina Parajon, and Rep. Angelica Rubio

This bill would allow independent, decline-to-state, and minor-party voters to select and vote a ballot of the major political party of their choice, without changing their registration. Independents are the fastest growing block of voters, and they deserve a voice in some of our most consequential, and publicly funded, elections — the primaries.

Read more from the bill sponsors in a recent article in The Santa Fe New Mexican.

SB 16 has been referred to Senate Rules Committee and then Senate Judiciary Committee. Please contact senators on these committees and ask them to pass semi-open primaries (SB 16).

SB 85 CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES 

Sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth, Sen. Heather Berghmans, and Rep. Andrea Romero.

This bill would close loopholes and provide better transparency within the existing Campaign Reporting Act (CRA). Proposed changes to the CRA include limiting the ability of candidates to loan their campaigns money on interest and how campaign funds can be used and donated to community-based organizations. 

SB 85 received a UNANIMOUS DO-PASS in Senate Rules Committee this morning. Please thank the committee for their commitment to shining alight on money in politics. It will be heard next in Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB 5 GAME COMMISSION REFORM 

Sponsored by Sen. Pete Campos, Sen. Peter Wirth, Rep. Matthew McQueen, and Sen. Crystal Brantley 

This bill seeks to improve the nomination process and professionalism of the state game commission by implementing requirements for commission members, provided they are from diverse cultural and geographic background and ensuring expertise in hunting, angling, conservation, wildlife management, and biology. SB 5 also aims to change the appointment process which is currently unilaterally controlled by the governor. Under SB 5 nominations to the commission would be provided by legislative leadership, the chair of the UNM department of biology and the governor.

Committee members and hearings would also be subject to the governmental conduct act, IPRA, financial disclosures, and the open meetings act which would bring much needed transparency and accountability from community members.

You can read more about what this bill would do in the Albuquerque Journal.

SB 5 passed out of Senate Rules Committee this morning. It will be heard next in Senate Conservation Committee

We will keep you posted as more democracy bills are on the docket!

In the meantime, please mark your calendars for our MODERNIZATION DAY OF ACTION on February 11 at 10:00 AM at the Roundhouse in the Rotunda.

RSVP Now!

We need your calls and emails!

Blog Post

We need your calls and emails!

Help us get SJR 1 Legislative Salaries Commission passed through our toughest committee hearing in Senate Finance! We need our members to flood SFC members with calls of support for modernization and urge them to send the amendment to the voters!

Midweek check-in from the Roundhouse

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Midweek check-in from the Roundhouse

Two constitutional amendments move forward, staffing gets a much-needed boost, and SJR 1 Legislative Salaries is likely being heard next week in Senate Rules Committee!

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