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The state Senate voted 34-3 to give committee leaders power to ban videotaping and webcasting from committee meetings.
The debate came days after Gov. Susana Martinez began sending staffers to tape committee votes on several controversial issues, including driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.
Democrats were steamed when the videotaping was followed by radio ads and robocalls urging constituents to call and voice their displeasure with Democrats who voted against the bills.
The resolution sponsored by Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, will allow video recording in committee meetings only with permission.
Two amendments to ensure that videotaping or webcasting couldn’t be banned by those chairmen, offered by Sen. Rod Adair, R-Roswell, failed.
Sen. Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque, argued that Senate committees should be open to webcasting because most New Mexicans aren’t able to come to Santa Fe to observe the political process.
But Sen. Jennings expressed concern about the motivations of those who come to videotape, saying, “We’ve had complaints from members on both sides of the aisle about people showing up to we bast without any identification and we don’t have any idea where that’s going.”
Sen. Boitano pushed again for the value of transparency, saying, “This is a public body and this is a public building. …We shouldn’t close the door to anybody.”
The Senate expanded webcasting from the chamber this session, adding new cameras that zoom in on lawmakers when they’re speaking. In the past, the only camera in the chamber, mounted on a back wall, captured only a portion of the room—and the backs of senators’ heads.
The House has agreed to begin webcasting from committee meetings the cameras have been ordered, according to the Legislative Council Service. Webcasting from House committees could begin as early as March.
