New Mexico Democrats mostly rebuff calls from Democratic governor to address high crime rates

Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democrats in the state legislative majority have rebuffed calls by New Mexico’s governor to address the “dangerous intersection” of crime and homelessness. At a special legislative session Thursday, they shunned Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposals to enhance criminal penalties, restrict panhandling and expand involuntary detention and treatment for mental health problems. The Legislature instead passed a bill to expand pilot programs for voluntary treatment of people with severe mental illness and addiction problems, and a $100 million emergency aid package for wildfire recovery. Republican found common cause with second-term Democratic governor in her push for criminal justice reforms ahead of the November elections.