Reeb focuses on crime in coming session

Editor’s note: With the New Mexico Legislature scheduled for a 60-day session starting Jan. 17, The News asked area lawmakers what to expect. This is one in the series of those reports.

Andrea Reeb said crime will be a “huge thing” on the legislative agenda for the upcoming 60-day session in Santa Fe.

It won’t be a huge thing because she used to be the Ninth Judicial District Attorney.

“I’m hearing the same things,” Reeb said Wednesday. “They’re basically talking about crime, a big issue.”

Reeb will go to Santa Fe as the new Republican legislator from District 64, a seat that was held by Randal Crowder for seven years.

Reeb describes District 64 as covering a third of Curry County including the eastern third of Clovis, half of Roosevelt County including half of Portales along with Dora and Elida and a portion of Chaves County.

“It just touches the northern edge of Roswell,” Reeb said. “About where the Roswell Mall is.”

Reeb plans on staying in Santa Fe during the week and coming home to Clovis on weekends.

“I’ve rented a place for the 60-day session,” Reeb said.

Reeb said she will be sworn in on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, “sworn in and go into session.”

“I have to be sworn in before I can file bills,” Reeb said.

She said returning legislators have started filing bills.

“Crime will be huge on the agenda,” Reeb said. “Pre-trial detention, shoplifting. With the state being ranked 50th in education that will be a topic. Other than that I haven’t heard specifics.”

Reeb said she is sponsoring “quite a few” bills.

“I’m doing some bills that will help with the taxing of cannabis,” Reeb said. “I’m working on a bill to make a minor in possession of cannabis an offense.”

Reeb said she is also working on what is called a “safety hub bill” for schools: Helping give education to the schools on what to do when a kid comes to school high.

Reeb is also sponsoring a measure to require a re-packaging of marijuana products so those items won’t be enticing to children.

“I’m also working on some CYFD (Children, Youth & Families Department) legislation,” Reeb said. “Those are the bills I’m working on now.”

Reeb hasn’t heard anything about possible state-level abortion action.

“Nothing more than what’s been in the paper,” Reeb said. “ What other legislators are proposing isn’t disclosed. Once other legislators propose legislation then you can co-sponsor.”

“You hear buzz but you’re not actually sure what will happen until it does,” Reeb said.