2019 Legislative Session: Roundhouse Update #2

TWU’s Elder Kathy Sanchez speaking at the Roundhouse, Feb 2019

This year’s NM Legislative session ends on March 16. Tewa Women United staff members have been very engaged in a number of bills related to our mission — below we’ve highlighted a few of them, along with actions you can take. See our Jan 31 Roundhouse Update for more background on these and other bills.

Please note that Saturday, March 2, is an important day at the Capitol. Plan to come and attend the hearings on the following bills. We also encourage you to contact your legislators by phone an email. Use this tool to find your NM legislator.

Your voice is essential in this process.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Our partners at New Energy Economy observe that there are two paths open before New Mexico:

PATH #1: Monopoly Expansion
SB 489 doubles down on PNM’s monopoly and places full trust in them to take us toward renewables in an expensive and wasteful manner.

PATH #2: We have people power!
New Mexico can follow the lead of Picuris Pueblo that built a one-megawatt solar array and, as of March 2018, has been providing 100% day-time solar power to the entire Pueblo. SB 492 is model legislation that protects consumers and is supported by bonafide experts in the fields of energy utility law and finance from across the country.

Read NEE’s full article and analysis here.

Tewa Women United has signed onto this statement: No Just Transition without Indigenous Consultation – a response to SB 489. Please note that without amendments, we do not support The Energy Transition Act (SB 489).

On Saturday morning, March 2, there are hearings for both bills:

Arrive at 8 am to sign up to speak and get a seat.

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

HB 51: Decriminalize Abortion

HB 51 will repeal an unconstitutional, pre-Roe v. Wade law that would criminalize almost all abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. Passing HB 51 is critical because regardless of what happens at the federal level, New Mexico MUST remain a place where people can access safe and legal reproductive healthcare including abortion. See our previous update for more background and read this op-ed by Jessica Lujan, program manager of our Indigenous Women’s Health and Reproductive Justice. Program.

Now is the time to call members of the NM Senate Public Affairs Committee and ask them to vote in SUPPORT of HB 51. Our lawmakers need to hear from New Mexicans who support this bill.

Saturday, March 2, at 9 am, a Senate Public Affairs Committee hearing of the bill is scheduled at the Roundhouse. Please come to show your support of HB 51. The Planned Parenthood team will meet you in the West Lobby to give you directions.