2020 Legislative Session
Thirty days isn’t a lot of time. But this year’s 30-day Legislative Session has already been more than enough time for us to make powerful changes to state laws and policies that will help our kids and our communities for years to come.
As the Senate Majority Whip, I’ve been working hard to move key bills forward. We’ve already passed and sent to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for signature important legislation, including:
Extreme Risk Protection Order (SB 5): This common-sense gun-safety legislation will keep firearms away from people who are a risk to themselves or others.
Early Childhood Education & Care Fund (HB 83): Hard work, compromise and bipartisan collaboration this year yielded an effective model for funding early childhood education in New Mexico. Now, all children will be able to participate in quality programs to prepare them for success.
Census Funding (SB 4): From funding for schools to money for fixing our roads, an accurate census count has a huge impact on our state. This legislation gives the state $8 million to use to ensure a fair, full and accurate count in 2020.
As a retired educator, I have also been driving legislation to improve our schools and help our teachers, including:
Voluntary Early Reading Development Program (SB 74):
Changes to Educational Retirement (SB 111)
Group Health Insurance Employer Contributions (SB 254):
You also elected me to be an advocate for the environment. I take that responsibility seriously and am working hard to pass these two important bills:
Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit (SB 29):
Wildlife Trafficking Act (SB 75)
Finally, I wouldn’t be working for New Mexicans if I didn’t stand up for working people. That’s why I am sponsoring and working hard to pass Public Sector Collective Bargaining Changes (SB 110). This important bill will the first update to the Public Employees Bargaining Act in nearly 20 years. By collaborating with unions, local governments and education leaders, we have crafted a bill that balances the needs of all sides so that state workers have the protections they need to keep working hard to move our state forward.
With just a few days left in the session, we still have the huge task of passing a budget that reflects our values. That means a budget that supports kids, families, small businesses and our environment. It’s not an easy job, but we are close to a budget that works for everyone. I also have been working hard to bring much-needed funding to our community. A complete list of my capital outlay contributions will be on my website, www.mimistewart.org, at the end of the session.
Thanks to everyone who has called, emailed or stopped by to visit with me this session! Hearing from you is important to me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out during the remaining the days of the session or any time during the year. It’s a privilege to serve you.
2020 CAPITAL OUTLAY
As the State Senator for District 17, I work hard to ensure that important local projects--like parks and schools--have the fuding they need to serve our community. Through the Legislature's Capital Outlay process, I advocate for the things we need, and I have been effective at bringing home funds that keep us safer and improve people's lives.
However, this year the budget situation changed between the time the Capital Outlay Budget passed the Legislature and when the governor signed it. Significant changes in projected state revenues meant the budget needed to be tightened and the governor made the difficult decision to veto millions of dollars in fuding across all legislative districts. While I am disappointed that we won't have as much funding for projects coming to District 17 this year, it is important that we spend our limited funds wisely.
Below is a complete list of the Capital Outlay projects that I requested and that received funding in the budget, including those that were ultimately vetoed.
It is my goal to make the Capital Outlay process as transparent as possible. If you have questions about any of these projects or how to request funding for another important project, please contact me.
