NE New Mexico News

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has a plan to reshape the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) that was recently approved by House Democrats. 

House Bill 11, sponsored by Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), would reorganize the PRC and provide the governor with the power to veto the appointing of the elected body’s Chief of Staff.

The New Mexico PRC regulates the utilities, telecommunications and motor carrier industries to hold rates accountable by law. Additionally, the PRC promotes public safety through the offices of State Fire Marshal, the Firefighter Training Academy, Pipeline Safety Bureau and Transportation Division, according to their website.

As it stands, the PRC is an elected body in the state but has recently been hit with a plethora of lawsuits from the governor’s administration based on political disagreements, specifically in regards to the Green Deal.

With HB 11, the governor hopes to make the panel less political, but Republicans are accusing her of doing the exact opposite by taking control of a bill that was both issued and voted through by a Democratic majority.

“From what I have heard from my community, I do not believe that this bill will protect utility rate payers in New Mexico,” said Rep. Larry Scott (R-Hobbs) in a statement. “This bill moves power to the executive branch and that stands contrary to the protections provided by our State Constitution. The PRC was created to protect New Mexicans from partisan politics, and this is simply bad governance.”

Some Republican leaders have even been so outspoken as to question the governor’s intention to take away the voice of New Mexicans.

“The PRC issue is going before the voters this November, why is the governor set on usurping the voice of the people?” said House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (R-Farmington).

The bill slimly passed the New Mexico House of Representatives by a 36-34 vote.