Amendment prevents state employees who serve in the Roundhouse from getting paid while serving

From Capitol Report New Mexico.com - One month after an outburst by Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton made national headlines and drew further attention to state employees receiving pay if they also serve in the legislature, three Republican state representatives introduced a bill in the House of Representatives on Monday (Jan. 23) that would prevent any employee who receives a state salary to get paid while attending to legislative duties. Reps. Dennis Roch (R-Texico), Rep. Jim Smith (R-Sandia Park) and Rep. Tim Lewis (R-Rio Rancho) — who are all teachers — co-sponsored House Joint Resolution 18. The amendment would not just affect teachers or school system employees but apply to all employees who work in state agencies. In order for the bill to become state law, it would not just have to pass both chambers of the Roundhouse but also go before the state’s voters as a constitutional amendment. “It’s about fairness,” said Rep. Lewis, who announced earlier this month that he is taking a leave of absence without pay from his duties as a high school business teacher during the 30-day legislative session as well as abstaining from receiving pay from his job with the Albuquerque Public Schools system for any other legislative-related responsibilities. “I want to show I’m a fighter for the taxpayers,” said Lewis, who told reporters Monday he estimates refusing his salary for the 30-day session will cost him about $5,000. Read more

Amendment prevents state employees who serve in the Roundhouse from getting paid while serving