Despite the partisan makeup of the chamber, though, conservatives have stopped progressive legislation supported by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state House, where the party also holds a majority. Conservative Democrats have been blamed for weakening legislation to increase the minimum wage increase and of blocking efforts to legalize marijuana.
Perhaps worst of all, though, is the conservative’s actions on abortion rights. Last year, the House passed a bill to repeal a 1969 law that made it a felony to perform an abortion in most cases. However, all five of the aforementioned Senate Democrats, as well as three others, joined with the GOP minority to kill the legislation. The current anti-abortion law is currently unenforceable thanks to Roe v. Wade, but there’s the terrifying possibility that a U.S. Supreme Court decision could make provisions like this one more than just a legal relic.
However, Tuesday’s results, as well as a successful showing in November, could give progressives the chance to finally shape the agenda in New Mexico.
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