I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Days after the House dramatically expanded webcasting of its proceedings, the Senate may be poised to do the same. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, has introduced Senate Resolution 1, which would expand video webcasting from the Senate floor to include multiple cameras instead of the one that’s currently used.
In addition, Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, introduced a resolution (Senate Resolution 4) that would require the Senate to begin audio webcasting from committee meetings this session and begin video webcasting of Senate committee meetings next year.
It was referred to the Rules and Public Affairs Committees.
Sanchez’ resolution would eliminate the part of the current webcasting rule that requires video webcasting “from a single camera installed at the rear of the chamber” and replace it with words that state that the video stream shall be “produced from cameras configured and operated in such a way that as much of the chamber is displayed as practicable but that no material on members’ desks, computer monitors or similar devices can be read or viewed except as would otherwise be possible with an unaided eye.”
The resolution is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Rules Committee. If it’s approved there, the proposed rule change would also need the backing of a majority in a floor vote. To bypass the committee if it doesn’t approve the rule change, the resolution would need approval of two-thirds of senators in a floor vote.
Sen. Griego’s resolution is not yet available online, but he said it’s modeled after similar legislation the House approved on Friday.
“Transparency and accountability should be cornerstones of our democracy. Many key decisions are made in committee. The public should not be left in the dark because they can’t make the trek to Santa Fe,” Griego said.
The House, after changes approved Friday, should have full audio and video webcasting of floor sessions and committee meetings beginning next year. If the Senate approves the rule changes proposed by Sanchez and Griego, it should too.
