New Mexico lawmakers look for solutions to hobbled economy

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New Mexico state Sens. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, left;Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, top; Carrie Hamblen, D-Las Cruces, bottom; and Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, right, stand for the opening of a 60-day legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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Democratic state Sen.George Munoz of Gallup greets Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque on the Senate floor at the opening of a 60-day legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Munoz was appointed chairman of the Senate’s lead budget-writing committee and Stewart was elected senate president pro-tem. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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National Guard soldiers, state police and a sheriff’s deputy guard check in an attendee of the annual legislative session at the Capitol complex on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. State lawmakers convened for the opening day of a two-month legislative session. Capitol buildings are closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, and under strict security lockdowns due to the Jan. 6 attack against federal lawmakers in Washington. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

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New Mexico state senators including newly elected Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, center-left, and the Senate’s new president pro-tem, Mimi Stewart, D-Albquerque, bottom left, stand at the opening of a 60-day legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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From left, Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, Sen. Brenda McKenna, D-Corrales, and Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, stand during the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the 2021 legislative session in the State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

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The public gallery is closed off at the New Mexico House of Representative as state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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An armored state police vehicle sits outside the state capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. State lawmakers convened for the opening day of a two-month legislative session. Capitol buildings are closed to the public due to the pandemic, and under strict security lockdowns due to the Jan. 6 attack against federal lawmakers in Washington. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

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A security fence stands at the edge of the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. State lawmakers convened for the opening day of a two-month legislative session. Capitol buildings are closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, and under strict security lockdowns due to the Jan. 6 attack against federal lawmakers in Washington. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

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Barricades portect the grounds as New Mexico state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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Sen. Benny Shendo Jr., D-Jemez Pueblo, left, and others applaud Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, foreground, after she was sworn in as the new President Pro Tem of the Senate, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, at the start of the 2021 legislative session at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

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Final preparations are made at the New Mexico House of Representative as state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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Barricades protect the grounds as New Mexico state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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A woman points to the fortified entrance of the state capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., after State Police and a National Guard soldier checked her name against a list. Capitol buildings are closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, and under strict security lockdowns due to the Jan. 6 attack against federal lawmakers in Washington. State lawmakers are convening for the opening day of a two-month legislative session. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

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The downtown historic district is seen behind a security Capitol checkpoint, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. State lawmakers convened opening day of a two-month legislative session. Capitol buildings are closed to the public due to the pandemic, and under strict security lockdowns due to the Jan. 6 attack against federal lawmakers in Washington. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

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Final preparations are made at the New Mexico Senate chamber as state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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New Mexico state lawmakers including Democratic state Sen. Pete Campos of Las Vegas, N.M., trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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New Mexico state lawmakers including state Sen. Crystal Diamond of Elephant Butte trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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Democratic New Mexico state Sen. Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque, leads the appointment of crucial Senate committee leadership posts after winning election as Senate president pro-tem, on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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New Mexico state senators including Democratic Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Mimi Stewart, bottom left, both of Albuquerque, greet each other on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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New Mexico state Sen. Gregg Schmedes, R-Tijeras, right, arrives at the opening day of a 60-day legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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Sen. Harold Pope Jr., D-Albuquerque, left, and Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, work on the Senate Floor at the start of the 2021 legislative session in the State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Sana Fe, N.M. Pope is one of the 11 new Senate members this year. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

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New Mexico state lawmakers trickle into the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., on the first day of a 60-day legislative session. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to avoid spread of the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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New Mexico Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, center, chats with colleagues at the opening of a 60-day legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. Fences, roadblocks, police and troops encircled the building as a precaution against federal warnings about the potential for violence. Plexiglass partitions have been installed on the floor of the House and Senate to protect legislators from coronavirus infection, and the Capitol is closed to the public to blunt the contagion. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

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From left, Senate Minority Leader Gregory Baca, R-Belen, Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, talk on the Senate Floor before the start of the 2021 legislative session in the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

By Morgan Lee, Cedar Attanasio

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico lawmakers confronted daunting challenges as they began a 60-day session Tuesday amid an unrelenting coronavirus pandemic and concerns of violence at a Statehouse guarded by troops and encircled by fencing, barricades and mobile security cameras.

Proposals aimed at reviving the economy and rebooting classroom learning are at the top of the agenda for lawmakers in the Democratic-led Legislature. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is pushing for a budget deal that would increase state spending on pandemic relief, education and health care.

Democrats also have drafted lightning-rod initiatives that would allow broad marijuana sales, shore up abortion rights and reform police oversight.

“While we debate passionately in this chamber, we have created a culture of respect — no chaos,” Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said as the session opened. “We can do this together.”

House Republican leaders said their priority will be proposals that allow students to return to classrooms immediately by providing greater autonomy to school boards, teachers and families.

Most schools are providing remote learning only, with some small in-person lessons for younger students and special education students. Most classroom teaching was suspended in March, and education officials this week said schools can restart mixed schedules that include in-person lessons after an extended holiday pause.

“We’ve got to get our kids back in school. We’ve got to find a way,” House Minority Leader Jim Townsend said. “Children are retreating into isolation, into their electronic devices, instead of friendship. We have desperation setting in among those children.”

The House came into session with calls in English and Spanish of “present on the floor” and “presente.” Most Democrats tuned in via videoconference from their offices, and most Republicans were on the House floor.

In the Senate, legislators in masks exchanged elbow bumps and sat down between Plexiglas barriers meant to reduce the spread of the virus. The rotunda and hallways of the Legislature — ordinarily buzzing with lobbyists, school groups and jewelry vendors — were eerily empty. The building is closed to the public.

Outside, there were no indications of protests amid warnings from federal authorities of possible insurrection attempts at statehouses.

Protesters last gathered outside the New Mexico Capitol in Santa Fe on Jan. 6 to peacefully dispute Joe Biden’s presidential victory, while a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

A spending bill to cover the costs of the session includes $2 million for increased security. About $675,000 would go toward the state agency overseeing the National Guard.

Republican House whip Rod Montoya said the security measures in Santa Fe have left no room for any kind of public protests and weren’t knowingly approved by House Republicans.

Lawmakers used their first day to lock in rules for videoconferencing and new leadership roles in the Senate after the ouster of several top Democrats in the November election.

The governor’s traditional State of the State speech at the opening of the legislative session has been postponed.

Democratic leaders have placed economic relief at the top of their agenda — including aid designed for front-line, low-wage workers.

Direct federal aid to state government in 2020 helped bolster New Mexico’s finances. The state has general fund reserves of roughly $2.5 billion, or about 34% of annual spending obligations.

Republican House leaders were the first to propose the aid to front-line workers, but they are vowing to fight major Democratic initiatives on taxes, abortion rights, medically assisted suicide and policing reforms.

For major policy reforms, all eyes are on the Senate and a new vanguard of progressive Democrats who campaigned on efforts to tap more education money from the state’s $20 billion permanent fund.

Native American legislators ascended to top committee posts in the Senate, with the appointment of Shannon Pinto of the Navajo Nation as chairwoman of a committee for Indian, rural and cultural affairs and Bennie Shendo of the Jemez Pueblo as chairman of a committee on tax, business and transportation policy.

The Senate’s lead budget-writing committee will be led by Democratic Sen. George Munoz, a construction contractor from the trading post city of Gallup on the edge of the Navajo Nation that has been besieged by coronavirus infections.

A proposal to tap more money for education from a state trust will get a fair hearing, he said Tuesday.

About 20% of lawmakers are new to their position. Democrats hold a 45-25 majority in the House and 27-15 in the Senate.