Thank you, ACLU Friends, for your many phone calls and e-mails this legislative session. The prospect for civil liberties looked pretty grim right up to the end. But much happened in the crush of closing the session:

The bill expanding the collection of DNA from conviction to arrests for felonies did pass.
Please call Governor Richardson’s office @ 1.505.476.2200 to veto this bill.

We opposed several bills requiring tougher, mandatory penalties (rather than treatment programs) for certain
gang-related crimes
sex offenders.
We are happy to report these bills did not pass.

However, the increased penalties for trafficking of meth did pass.

Other Good News:

Medical Rights: “Kendra’s law” on court-ordered treatment for mentally ill people, in spite of much publicity, did not pass
Gay Rights: no bills or Constitutional amendments proposed on the Defense of Marriage Act
Womens’ Rights: no bills or Constitutional amendments proposed on limiting abortion or defining when life begins
Students’ Rights: no bills or memorials on intelligent design were proposed
Voter Rights: strict voter identification requirements did not pass
although we anticipate fighting all these issues next session.

Once again, it isn’t over until the Governor is done. Please call the Governor concerning the DNA bill at 1.505.476.2200.

Diane Wood, our Most Excellent Lobbyist, and I will be reaching out and touching you before the next legislative session. This year, we want to involve you in gathering support for our civil liberties issues, especially privacy issues, statewide well before the 2007 session begins!

Joyce Briscoe
Legislative Advocate
ACLU of New Mexico
PO Box 566
Albuquerque, NM 87103
go to our website at www.aclu-nm.org (the web blog is in the upper right corner)