NM House members fight over paying for appeal of redistricting decision

From Capitol Report New Mexico - It didn’t take long for the state House of Representatives to get into its first skirmish of the 30-day legislative session. On Wednesday the first day of debate, state Rep. Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque) tried to add an amendment to House Bill 1 — what’s called “the feed bill” that assigns money for the chamber to conduct its business. Normally, passing the feed bill is a routine matter but Gentry wanted an amendment dictating that no legislative monies would go to any appeals of the recent House redistricting decision that was handed down earlier this month. In that decision, redistricting judge Jim Hall rejected the redistricting plan for the state House of Representatives that passed through the Democratically -controlled legislature back in September – as well as a number of other redistricting proposals — and accepted a redistricting map sponsored by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Democrats are expected to appeal Judge Hall’s decision and the legal costs of defense would be paid for with legislative dollars (i.e., taxpayer dollars). “We’re now suing ourselves, essentially,” Gentry told reporters, adding, “My amendment says we’re not going to pay for it.”
But Majority Floor Leader W. Ken Martinez (D-Grants), with Legislative Council Service director Raul Burciaga sitting next to him offering technical expertise, argued that Gentry’s amendment was unconstitutional. In a 35-33 vote, the amendment failed, with all Democrats voting to table it and all Republicans voting for it. Independent Andy Nuñez voted with the GOP. Democrat Debbie Rodella and Republican Alonzo Baldonado were absent. Read more

NM House members fight over paying for appeal of redistricting decision