2 weeks Ago
Recently, Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat, told The Santa Fe New Mexican that my tough-on-crime policy proposals ("Blame spread all around on lack of legislation," March 29) were "stupid." This was regarding my attempts to strengthen his weak and inconsequential juvenile crime bill, House Bill 255, that even a number of his own Democratic colleagues voted against.
The level of immaturity it takes to call someone's initiatives stupid could be expected in a high school lunchroom, not the state Senate. While I couldn’t care less about a childish remark targeted at myself or my approach to solving Albuquerque’s crime crisis, I am troubled by the underlying sentiment that Democrats like Maestas have toward public safety. Democrats in the legislature either wish to totally ignore the public’s outcry to address crime or, in Maestas’ case, deceive the public into thinking they were considering legislation to address the problem while accomplishing virtually nothing.
Both of these strategies result in the lawlessness we experience here in Albuquerque on a daily basis. Here’s an example: House Bill 8, or this year’s supposedly comprehensive "crime package," was signed into law with bipartisan support. Clearly, HB 8 had elements that we Republicans could get behind, but we primarily supported it based on assurances that, in return, there would be further consideration of true public safety bills.
This, however, was not the case. Instead, Democrats killed or refused to consider Republican crime bills and celebrated the success of a "bipartisan crime package" to the media and their voters. As an Albuquerque resident, I assure you that this crime package alone will do absolutely nothing to curb the rampant auto and retail theft, juvenile violence and emboldened repeat offenders that plague our community.
When the Democratic Party is not busy killing Republican public safety bills, its members have been fanning the flames of political division by calling on their activists to "agitate" the other side or resorting to childish name calling. Enough is enough. New Mexicans are fed up with their failed leadership, reckless behavior and unwillingness to truly address the criminals terrorizing our state.
We must come together and do what the people have elected us to do. As a state, we cannot continue inaction when it comes to improving public safety. Rest assured, if the governor calls for a special session, my Republican colleagues and I will be right back at the table with policy proposals to make our communities safer for New Mexico families to live and thrive in.
If anyone finds that "stupid," perhaps they don’t have the maturity the public deserves from an elected lawmaker responsible for improving the lives of all New Mexicans..
