2021 Capitol Report, February 19

INTRO:

With the 2021 New Mexico Legislative session at its halfway point, Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf reflected on what’s been a very unusual gathering of state lawmakers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tom Trowbridge reports from the Roundhouse:

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COVID-19’s impact on the Roundhouse this year has been dramatic: The pandemic has left the halls void of the hundreds that usually clog them and the building’s chambers and committee rooms have been eerily empty.

Despite the pandemic-forced deviations, Democratic Speaker Brian Egolf told reporters that he’s very encouraged by progress made in the House.

Egolf-2  :26

Egolf says use of Zoom will become a future fixture at the Roundhouse. And, halfway through the 60-day session, there’s been much public-comment about better-run Legislative Committee meetings.

The House speaker has a hunch what’s behind that.

Egolf-1  :17

The final days of New Mexico’s legislative sessions are where the action is; 2021 should prove no exception.

For the New Mexico News Network, I’m Tom Trowbridge

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