2333 Wisconsin St. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 NMFOG.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE June 11, 2020

Susan M. Boe Hon. sent via email: [email protected] President Senate Majority Leader

Michael Melody Senate Vice President 490 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, NM 87501 Sammy Lopez Secretary Hon. sent via email: [email protected] Carl Baldwin Speaker of the House Treasurer New Mexico House

Charles “Kip” Purcell 490 Old Santa Fe Trail At-Large Member Santa Fe, NM 87501

Daniel Yohalem At-Large Member Dear Sen. Wirth and Speaker Egolf:

Immediate Past As the state approaches the upcoming special session, the New Mexico Foundation for Open President Karen Moses Government (FOG) reminds you that Article IV, Section 12 of the New Mexico Constitution requires that all sessions of each house of the Legislature be open to the public. DIRECTORS Next week’s special session is new territory for all of us, but we have seen your counterparts Mary Ann Armijo Kathi Bearden across the United States conduct legislative meetings which provide the greatest public access Billie Blair possible while also incorporating necessary health protections. FOG believes New Mexico can Dede Feldman do even better. Heather Ferguson Tom Johnson Henry Lopez • FOG urges New Mexico Legislators to rally to the challenge and use any and all Sammy Lopez options to allow the citizens of New Mexico to fully observe and listen to the Paula Maes Tim Maestas deliberations and decisions that constitute the making of public policy. This includes Steve McKee plenary sessions and all committee meetings. And, we ask that in the event the analog Fred Nathan or digital streaming of any meetings is interrupted, all debate halt until the system Jessica Onsurez resumes transmissions. Lucas Peerman Charles R. Peifer Mary Lynn Roper • FOG strongly urges that all bills be made available to the public for review at least 72 hours Kristelle Siarza before they are scheduled for a vote. We are also asking that any amendments be made Hal Stratton Robert B. Trapp available in a text format to allow for review. By implementing these practices, the public will Gregory Williams have the opportunity to review the bills and amendments and provide meaningful comment. Without such procedures, the public will not be able to participate in this experiment Melanie J. Majors Executive Director we call democracy.

• FOG is aware that many of the Legislators will be using new technology during the

special session. Because these types of secret communications, such as Chat or any other running commentary function, are not available to the public at the time they are being made, Legislators should not use them.

• Because the news media acts as the eyes and ears of the public – a responsibility heightened by this year’s circumstances – the Legislature should allow reporters and broadcasters the greatest access possible to all proceedings inside the Roundhouse.

Page 2 • As a final point, there are New Mexicans who require ADA accessible options and that others FOG letter to NM Legislative do not have internet access or personal computers. Please consider the public access needs of Leadership these constituents as well. 6/11/2020 As Legislators, you are faced with difficult decisions in cutting a budget that was approved just months

ago. Let the public watch as you grapple with such decisions in the sunlight. Let’s work together to ensure government transparency is not another victim of the Covid-19 health crisis.

Sincerely,

Susan Boe Melanie J. Majors FOG Board President Executive Director

Cc: Senate Pro Tem , [email protected] Senate Minority Floor Leader , [email protected] Senate Majority Whip , [email protected] Senate Minority Whip William Payne, [email protected] Senate Finance Chair , [email protected] Senate Rules Chair Linda Lopez, [email protected] House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton, [email protected] House Minority Leader Jim Townsend, [email protected] House Majority Whip, , [email protected] House Minority Whip, , [email protected] House Appropriations & Finance Committee Chair , [email protected] House Rules Chair Damon Ely, [email protected] Raul Burciaga, Legislative Council Services, [email protected]