Editorial: NEW MEXICO REPUBLICANS SHOULD STICK TO GOP BASICS

New Mexico State Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales,
begins his new leadership role in the Legislature today with an
estimated $400 million in additional taxpayer funds and without
having to face the often contentious problem of redistricting right
off the bat.

These are definite positives for Ingle and state GOP leadership as
the Legislature begins a 60-day session today. However, Ingle and GOP
legislators have their work cut out for them in the
Democratic-controlled Legislature, as well as with part of the agenda
of Republican Gov. Gary Johnson.

GOP leadership in the House and Senate must maintain its conservative
philosophies and not become bogged down with Johnson's support of
drug legalization.

The GOP in the Land of Enchantment is more or less on the same page
as Johnson as far as the primary issue of education, which routinely
assumes 50 percent of the state budget, with higher education taking
another 20 percent, Ingle said.

With less than two years left in his final term, Johnson is once
again ruffling feathers, even within his own party, on drug
legalization.

To what extent Johnson pushes drug legalization legislation remains
to be seen. Johnson has mentioned the legalization of marijuana for
medicinal purposes, but has also indicated the lessening of mandatory
sentences for drug offenders.

"From my constituency, I haven't noticed a lot in favor of these
things," Ingle said. "As far as the state itself, I see no large
drive to lighten these penalties. Most that are in prison are there
for things such as stealing to support their habit. I doubt a large
percentage are in the New Mexico state prison system for actually
using drugs."

Ingle added he has not reviewed any legislation on the issue.

State GOP leadership should focus on education, tax cuts and how to
spend the largest amount of additional state funds since 1995.
Minority Republicans will have a difficult enough time battling
Democrats on these issues without the potentially divisive issue of
drug legalization reprioritizing the party's agenda.