Former State Representative John Pena (D)

Former State Representative John Pena (D)

Score

Lifetime Score:: 33%
2008 Score:: 33%

Formerly Representing

District #:: 5
Legislative Link:: View on nmlegis.gov »

Information listed reflects last term served

Voting Record

= Pro Conservation Vote
= Anti Conservation Vote
A = Absent
E = Excused
R = Recused
W = Abstain

Topics:

Air Quality
Effective
Government
Energy &
Climate Change
Environmental
Justice
Land
Water
Wildlife & Habitat
Conservation

Priority	Bill #	Title	Topics	CVNM Position	Conservation Vote	Year
	HB 276	SunCal Tax Increment Project Bonds more Summary: HB 276 authorizes a massive ($629 million) bond issue to provide infrastructure to a sprawl development on Albuquerque’s west mesa. The bond would be serviced by diverting gross receipts tax revenues that would otherwise accrue to the state to spend on healthcare or education. These types of ‘greenfield’ Tax Increment for Development Districts (TIDDs) are bad public policy – not only for land use and water planning, but also from a fiscal perspective. House members’ votes are scored on the bill itself; Senators’ votes are scored on a procedural motion that allowed HB 276 to be withdrawn from its final committee and moved immediately to the Senate floor. Outcome: Defeated in the Senate.		Oppose		2008
	HB 305	Utility Customer Load Management more Summary: Efficiency is the most reliable, least expensive source of “new” energy. HB 305 amends the existing Efficient Use of Energy Act to establish mandatory energy efficiency targets of 5% by 2014 and 10% by 2020. Increased energy efficiency is a critical tool in the fight against global climate change. Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed into law.		Support		2008
	HB 583	TV & Video Game Excise Tax more Summary: The average American child now spends more time watching television than in school. The “Leave No Child Inside” Act will generate funding for outdoor education through a 1% excise (“sin”) tax on the purchase of new televisions and video games. Outcome: Defeated in the House.		Support		2008
	HJM 7	Study Coal Surtax more Summary: Almost every year, the Legislature considers measures that would affect the existing surtax on coal – usually supporting the elimination of the surtax. HJM 7 holds that the surtax is inequitable and flawed – appearing to tacitly support its repeal. In fact, eliminating the coal surtax would constitute a de facto $6.9 million subsidy to a thriving resource extraction industry. Outcome: HJM 7 passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate.		Oppose		2008
	HJM 8	Change Waste Allowed in WIPP Site more Summary: HJM 8 urges the US Department of Energy to authorize greater-than-class C (GTCC) radioactive waste disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). If DOE were to authorize WIPP to accept higher-level radioactive waste, it would change the fundamental purpose of WIPP from limited nuclear weapons waste to commercial nuclear waste dump – opening the door for WIPP to replace Yucca Mountain as the disposal site for commercial nuclear waste. Outcome: HJM 8 passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate.		Oppose		2008
	HJM 29	Enact Federal Public Lands & Education Act more Summary: HJM 29 and SJM 21 support the enactment of the Federal Public Lands & Education Act in Congress. The Act is an anti-public lands bill urging the disposition of federally-owned land in the West. Although the stated intent is to help generate revenues for education, the sponsors and proponents of the federal legislation are strident opponents of public lands, not advocates on behalf of education. Outcome: HJM 29 was defeated on the House floor, and SJM 21 was defeated in the Senate.		Oppose		2008
	SB 487	Abandoned Uranium Mine Reclamation Fees more Summary: SB 487 creates the "abandoned uranium mine reclamation fund" through a fee on new uranium mining. The bill inappropriately ties cleanup of old mining sites to production from new uranium mines and mills, which many residents of impacted communities oppose. The fees would generate woefully insufficient revenues to address the problem, which could run into the billions of dollars. SB 487 is opposed by a broad array of environmental justice, Native American and conservation organizations. Outcome: Passed both chambers, but VETOED by the Governor.		Oppose	A	2008
	SJM 17	State Engineer Review of Water Exports more Summary: SJM 17 recognizes the threat posed to the Estancia basin by proposed groundwater exports to other basins, and encourages the State Engineer to ensure that applications to export water from the Estancia basin are supported by proof of need and lack of alternatives. Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed.		Support		2008
	SJM 40	Study Off-Road Motorized Vehicle Use more Summary: SJM 40 requests the appropriate state agencies to study and make recommendations for improved regulation of off-road vehicles in order to resolve user conflicts, prevent environmental damage and provide greater safety protections for users. Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed.		Support		2008