/tags/kay-bounkeua Kay Bounkeua en-US Copyright Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:39:08 GMT /local-news/2023-03-15/efforts-to-reform-unpaid-legislature-down-to-the-wire-in-last-days-of-session The lack of payment, as well as the absence of support like paid staff and office space for representatives, is a deterrent to working- and middle-class people who might consider public service, say some lawmakers and recruiters of candidates. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:39:08 GMT /local-news/2023-03-15/efforts-to-reform-unpaid-legislature-down-to-the-wire-in-last-days-of-session Alice Fordham /show/lets-talk-new-mexico/2023-01-17/lets-talk-about-modernizing-our-state-legislature Let’s Talk New Mexico 1/19 8am: Beyond the limits of the tight legislative calendar, lawmakers are faced with the challenge of understanding dozens of bills each session without having full-time staffers to help them. They often rely on industry insiders, lobbyists or activists for information on how proposed legislation will work. Furthermore, legislators do their work without a salary, earning only what they get for a per diem which is much too low to cover their stay in Santa Fe. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 03:41:51 GMT /show/lets-talk-new-mexico/2023-01-17/lets-talk-about-modernizing-our-state-legislature Kaveh Mowahed