New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has decided to proceed with a legislative special session scheduled for July 18, despite opposition from a coalition of 41 organizations, including mental health providers and advocates. These groups had urged the governor to cancel the session, citing a lack of consensus among lawmakers on the proposed plans.
Coalition’s Concerns
The coalition, which includes stakeholders from various sectors across New Mexico, expressed their concerns in a letter to the governor. They emphasized the absence of a unified approach among lawmakers and the potential negative impact of the proposed bills on vulnerable populations. The coalition argued that there is insufficient time to develop comprehensive solutions, stating, “There is simply no way to achieve the solutions New Mexicans deserve.”
Governor’s Response
A spokesperson for Governor Lujan Grisham characterized the letter as advocating for “doing nothing” and stressed the urgency of addressing the root causes of crime and public safety challenges. Michael Coleman, the governor’s communications director, emphasized the importance of moving forward with the special session, saying, “Every day that the root causes of crime and other public safety challenges go unaddressed is another day that New Mexicans are placed at risk.”
Criticism of Proposed Bills
The coalition’s letter criticized three of the five draft bills presented by the governor, arguing they would not address the underlying causes of the issues and could harm vulnerable populations. The coalition expressed particular concern about:
Civil Commitment: The draft bill does not address critical shortages in voluntary mental health care and threatens constitutional rights.
Competency: The bill undermines the careful consideration of individual situations, potentially leading to unjust outcomes.
Median Safety: The bill would impose fines and jail time on unhoused people, exacerbating their difficulties in qualifying for housing.
Governor’s Defense
Governor Lujan Grisham defended her proposals, stating that they aim to provide accountability and treatment for those with underlying mental health challenges entangled in the criminal justice system, thereby improving community safety. She asserted that the median safety bill is a common-sense strategy to reduce New Mexico’s high rate of pedestrian fatalities, not an attack on the homeless.
Call for Comprehensive Solutions
The coalition acknowledged the governor’s recognition of the complexity of system-wide solutions, which are too intricate for a short special session. They urged for a delay to develop more thoughtful and lasting solutions with ample community feedback. They shared the governor’s desire to address mental health care, addiction treatment, and affordable housing but argued that the proposed special session is not the appropriate venue for such complex issues.
Conclusion
Despite the coalition’s plea, Governor Lujan Grisham is committed to proceeding with the special session, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address public safety and mental health challenges in New Mexico. The outcome of this session and the impact of the proposed bills will be closely watched by advocates and lawmakers alike.
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