GOP Leader Townsend: The public cannot be excluded from the People’s House

Late last week, the New Mexico Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel made up of House and Senate leadership, was presented a potential plan to hold the upcoming 2021 Legislative session in a hybrid format that would have the legislature contract with the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (SFCCC) to provide space for limited public participation during the 60 day session. The proposal is expected to be voted on next Monday following last week’s lengthy discussion on the merits and pitfalls of entering into the contract and how best to protect the health and wellbeing of the public, legislative staff and members of the House and Senate.