b'2024 State ReportOur Second-place team with The Legislature should be embarrassed at their inability toa score of 15 under par was summon even an ounce of courage to adopt common-sense Jason Fitzpatrick, Tom Hennessy,legislation to make New Mexicans safer. The GovernorMatt Berry and Amie Berry. added, For those of you who go home to the sounds of Womens closet to the Pin ongunshots, who see hypodermic needles in your parks, and the hole 8 was won by Amie Berry. families desperate to get a loved one living on the street the help they deserve, Im sorry that most of our elected officials Mens closet to the Pin on holedidnt even try. Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, an12 was won by Craig Casttow. Albuquerque Democrat, acknowledged concerns about the special sessions political fallout, saying, we hope the tem-Mens closet to the Pin on hole perature calms down and we are talking more to each other.16 was won by Kyle Call. Its Hard to be Optimistic:Womens longest drive was won Greater Albuquerque Chamber ofby Amie Berry. Commerce Disappointed with SpecialMens longest drive was won by Session Results:Matt Berry. Like Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Greater Albu-querque Chamber of Commerce had hoped for substantial debate News Around New Mexico on public safety legislation during the special session. It quickly became apparent that wouldnt happen, the Chamber said after New Mexico Governor Calls the Legislature adjourned the same day after only passing one Special Session: bill. Lawmakers in five hours passed a $103 million appropria-I will Keep FightingThat was the message of Governor tions bill, with $100 million for disaster relief efforts and $3 mil-lion for a judiciary pilot program focused on assisted outpatient Michelle Lujan Grisham to legislators that have yet to get ontreatment for competency diversion.board with her agenda for the special session on crime. The five bills slated for the special session agenda, so far, includeDespite her disappointment with the Legislatures lack of action changes to the states criminal competency laws, a bill relatingduring the special session, the Governor signed into law the only to civil commitment, a ban on panhandling in narrow medians,bill that made it to her desk.enhanced penalties for felons owning firearms and a bill on lawFrustration Mountsenforcement data collection. Lujan Grisham rejected criticisms about the proposals. State House and Senate leadership releasedover Unspent Funds:a statement detailing concerns about liberty and unintendedNearly half of the $424.7 million appropriated by lawmakers for consequences for vulnerable populations. New Mexico public safety initiatives over the past five years has Democrats:gone unspent, due largely to high vacancy rates and other staffing Governor needs to change her agenda issues. Rep. Christine Chandler, the chairwoman of the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, said the state and local offi-to the special session: cials have, in most cases, requested the funds but struggled to put Top Democratic lawmakers and Governor Lujan Grisham them to use upon approval.remain far apart on a package of crime-related bills pushed byChanges in the Air for Balloon Fiesta:the executive branch. Democratic leadership met at the round-house, again voicing disagreement with how the Governor plans Nations Largest Energy Company Becoming to address public safety. At the same time, the Governor heldTitle Sponsor:a press conference in Albuquerque denouncing their criticism.The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is becoming the The Governor needs policy makers to sponsor bills. No one hasExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.stepped up yet. Democratic leadership said the Governor needsExxonMobil, the largest energy company in the U.S. said it to change her bills first. Majority Floor Leader Sen. Peter Wirth,would become the events title sponsor starting in 2025 andsaid the Legislature has worked to find solutions on the gover- running to 2029. ExxonMobil has been a sponsor since 2019nors proposed bills, were just not there yet. He said and was the events presenting sponsor for 2022. lawmakers need more time.Bart Cahir, senior vice president of ExxonMobil Upstream Governor Blasts Lawmakers: Unconventional, said in a statement the company is thrilled to Five hours and no action on her crime-related agenda. The out- expand its sponsorship. Balloon Fiesta is a unique economic come of a special session prompted fiery criticism from Governordriver that proudly showcases New Mexicos rich cultural heri-Michelle Lujan Grisham, who called Thursday one of the mosttage, and we are proud of the role ExxonMobil plays in bringing disappointing days of her career. The Legislature as a bodythe event to life, Cahir said.walked away from their most important responsibility: keeping New Mexicans safe, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. SWPMA News / Fall 202441'