Rep. David Chavez (R-Valencia County)
Earlier this week, Rep. David Chavez (R-Valencia) introduced a constitutional amendment (HJR 22) in the New Mexico House of Representatives that would deny marriage to same-sex families and also prevent New Mexico from recognizing same-sex marriages or civil unions performed in other states.
In the 24 hours following the introduction of this anti-family amendment, over 1000 people signed a petition asking Rep. Chavez to withdraw this bill and focus on what matters most to New Mexicans: jobs, the economy and education. You can add your name to the petition here.
Not a single jobs bill
New Mexico continues to face record high levels of unemployment. Economic recovery in core industries such as manufacturing have been sluggish at best, and families from Taos to Las Cruces are still struggling to get by.
Unfortunately, instead of proposing legislation to help get New Mexicans back to work, Rep. Chavez has seen fit to spend his time in Santa Fe playing politics.
In fact, to date (1/26/12), Rep. Chavez has introduced only ONE piece of legislation–HJR 22. (Fact check here).
Neighbors and constituents remain unemployed
Rep. Chavez’s inaction on jobs and the economy is all the more concerning given that his home county (Valencia) has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state (10.1%).
Times are also rough for the working families of Valencia county, who earn on average less than the rest of the state. (Fact check here)
Where are the jobs bills?
At the end of the day, the 30-day legislative session is about the state budget and finances.
At a time when New Mexico families continue to chart their way out of the great recession, lawmakers in Santa Fe should be laser-focused on our economic recovery and creating sustainable, good-paying jobs in New Mexico. Now is not the time to play politics, now is the time to put New Mexico back to work.
Sinister!