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(Update from Mother Media)
Impeachment Resolution Direct Action Information
Although there was some concern that President Pro Tem Senator Ben Altamirano of Silver City might swing the vote against the majority of the Democrats in Rules, he has now told the us that he is looking favorably on the issue after overwhelming numbers of phone calls in support. He has also requested no more phone calls to his office. Please honor his request. Wrongly accused of having assigned the resolution three committees, Senator Altamirano was feeling much better about the situation when we last heard from his secretary Erlinda Campbell.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez now becomes the main focus of our efforts. The man who assigned the bill three committees, Senator Sanchez expressed his discomfort with the resolution because he feels it is a Federal issue. I explained to him that Jefferson's Rules of the House explicitly allow State Legislatures to initiate impeachment proceedings, but he still maintained his position. I then pointed out that his excellent Joint Memorial Opposing the Real ID Act of 2005 opposes a federal initiative, but he pointed out that he was just trying to keep it out of New Mexico. That is not entirely true, however, because the Memorial states plainly that it requests the New Mexico federal delegation "support measures to repeal the Real ID Act" altogether. Finally I asked him if he would vote for the resolution in Judiciary, at which point he laughed kindly and said to wait until we got there.
I thought at the time that his pleasant attitude was a sign that ultimately he would vote with us. But I'm not so sure. After all, it was he who assigned the bill three committees in the first place, an act on which we should question him. Furthermore, he has expressed displeasure with citizen attempts to take the bill out of Public Affairs in order to save precious limited time in the sixty day session. If we make it through Rules, this will be an important effort. Here's how it works: If the sponsor of a resolution and the Chair of the Committee to which it has been assigned agree that they don't want the bill in that Committee, they can make a motion on the floor of the Senate to take it out of Committee. (I have spoken with the sponsor Sen. Ortiz y Pino, and since the Chairman of Public Affairs Dede Feldman signed the resolution, there is a good chance we can succeed.) The President of the Senate, either Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Ben Altamirano or an appointee, will then ask for unanimous consent to do so. It is unlikely the Republicans will allow this motion to pass so will object, forcing the proceedings to a voice vote. At this point, those in favor will have to say Aye louder than those against say Nay, which is why it now becomes essential to lobby every voice on the Senate for that purpose. If the voice vote is close, there could even be a roll call vote on the subject. Either we win this vote, or we have to go through Public Affairs. It's important that citizens make every effort to counter procedural hurdles to important resolutions, however we may decide against such an effort if the opposition from Senator Sanchez is too fierce.
At this point, respectful phone calls to Michael Sanchez at (505) 986-4727 may have a very positive effect on the Senator's attitude towards the resolution and its procedural path. Please thank him for his excellent Joint Memorial Opposing the Real ID Act and for his sponsoship of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards and the Land Wildlife and Clean Energy Act. Then ask for his support of the Impeachment Resolution and that he not obstruct its passage through procedural means, of which he has many.
Four other Senators, swing votes we will need on Public Affairs (if we can't get it out) and Judiciary, deserve a phone call, especially if you live in their district: Senator Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces (986-4270), Senator David Ulibarri of Grants (986-4265), Senator Lidio Rainaldi of Gallup (986-4310) and Senator Richard Martinez of Espanola (986-4389). To contact any Senator or Representative to ask for their support for the resolution and note that it might come to a voice vote to get it out of committee, call the Capitol Switchboard at (505) 986-4300.
Finally, do please come to the Rules Committee Hearing at 9AM this Friday and stay afterwards for some direct action and citizen lobbying. We will be ushering folks in to Senator Sanchez's office as well as those of their own Legislators all day with letters to sign, talking points and copies of the bill. We look forward to seeing you there.
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