Santa Fe New Mexican (Jan. 17, 2022) – The proposed Green Amendment that would make a clean and healthy environment a constitutional right for New Mexicans will be taken up in the legislative session with strong Democratic backing and virtually zero Republican support.
The partisan divide is no surprise to anyone familiar with the effort to make the state constitution a backstop for environmental protection.
Advocates say it would compel the state to enforce current laws and enable it to draw on constitutional authority when regulations don’t adequately cover specific threats to the environment or public health.
Opponents say it could lead to government overreach that would hurt the state’s industries — such as fossil fuel, agriculture, timber and mining — and the communities that depend on the jobs in those sectors.
Lawmakers to consider Green Amendment to New Mexico Constitution
