The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County (DPBC) is sponsoring its 2023 Legislative Expo in advance of the first session of the 56th state legislature this Saturday at the CNM Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE—-a Quonset hut-shaped community and training center just north of Alameda on the West Side of the I-25 freeway.
The Expo offers you a chance to learn what the legislators who represent you intend to accomplish between the legislature’s opening at noon Tuesday, January 17 and the final gavel on March 18. In addition, you can get to know issues-oriented groups who will be lobbying and organizing to press for important issues of the day. As a special treat, our new U.S. Representative, Melanie Stansbury, will attend.
Join up, and join in! The 60-day legislative session is likely to be one of the liveliest on record, as legislators disburse historic sums of money that can make a difference in our communities, craft New Mexico’s responses to national challenges including limitations on abortion and voting rights; and make strides toward realizing a dream of an inclusive, diverse, Democratic New Mexico.
Constituents have a chance to meet with and persuade their representatives and senators during the session at the Expo—-a rare opportunity to get to know them when they are not dashing off to other business during the 60-day substantive session.
Rep. Javier Martinez, Albuquerque District 11, is the opening Expo speaker beginning at 9 a.m. The Representative, who has been in the legislature since 2015, is likely to be elected Speaker of the House when it convenes. An attorney, the Representative is a member of the interim Legislative Ethics and Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committees, advises on the Legislative Council and is a designee on the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC). The Representative has 22 years of experience working with diverse communities across Albuquerque including the historic HD 11 neighborhoods of Barelas, Santa Bárbara/Martíneztown, Sawmill and others that he represents. https://www.abqjournal.com/2533365/qa-house-district-11-candidate-javier-martinez.html
Session A is set from 9:40 to 1:00 a.m. During that period, you’ll have a chance to visit with legislators in one of four town hall meetings. Legislators are grouped as follows:
On the modernization of the legislature, Rep. Joy Garratt, HD 29; Rep. Natalie Figueroa, HD 30; and Meredith Dixon, HD 20.
At the same time in a separate room, Rep. Gail Chasey, HD 18 and Sen. Michael Padilla, SD 14; Rep. Andres Romero, HD 10 and Rep. Art De La Cruz, HD 12, will gather with constituents.
Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, SD 12 and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, SD 16 will meet in session A along with Sen. Moe Maestas, SD 26 and Rep. Kathleen Cates, HD 44.
In addition, Sen. Martin Hickey, SD 20, and Rep. Pamelya Herndon, HD 28, will meet with Rep. Liz Thomson, HD 24 and Rep. Debbie Sarinana, HD 21.
Session B is set from 11:10 to 12:30 p.m. Rep. Pamelya Herndon, HD 28, will hold a single session on Gun Safety at that time. Simultaneously, attendees can hear from Sen. Bill O’Neill, SD 13; Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, SD 15; and Rep. Day Hochman Vigil, HD 15, in a separate room.
Another option for getting to know legislators and their agendas will be with Sen. Linda Lopez, SD 11; Sen. Harold Pope, SD 23; Rep. Joy Garratt, HD 29; and Rep. Charlotte Little, HD 68.
Sen. Brenda McKenna, SD 9; Sen. Katy Duhigg, SD 10; Sen. Bill Tallman, SD 18; and Rep. Cynthia Borrego, HD 17, will gather with constituents at the same time.
The day will close with a plenary session from 12:40 to 1 p.m.