Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Some Action in the Senate Today?

Squier
There are a couple of interesting items on the Senate Calendar today.

One is the bill that would outlaw texting and driving. It's actual the first item under "Third Readings." As I've pointed out, the same basic bill, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, languished for weeks last year on the Senate calendar because Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, who decides what gets heard and what doesn't, just doesn't like the bill.

He still doesn't like it, but he said Monday he expects the bill to be heard in the Senate (and to pass the full Legislature.)

The other interesting piece of legislation is Senate Resolution 2, which would give Human Services Secretary Sidonie Squier a vote of no confidence. I suspect if that one is heard, it may spark some debate. 

Squirer herself wouldn't be there to defend herself, but her department provided a lengthy rebuttal in the form of a fiscal impact statement.

UPDATE; 3:08 pm : As it turned out, the Senate didn't discuss either of these items today. Oh well. One of these days ...