Anti-racism bill should be revived

Discrimination against minorities, women of color should be rooted out

The recent veto of Senate Bill 269, the anti-racism legislation, by Gov. Susana Martinez is alarming and shameful.

I recognize and respect that she is New Mexico’s first Hispanic female governor. She is part of New Mexico history. However, her administrative decision not to support this bill influences me to believe that her knowledge of institutional and systemic racism is somewhat limited. Minorities and women of color have historically been discriminated against in governments funded by taxpayers. New Mexico state government is no exception. If the governor believes that her administration is racism-free, then I feel comfortable comparing her position to President Donald Trump believing there is no climate change.

Policy dictates how employees are treated. This bill would provide the public with a documented record of the success or failures of the executive branch, departments and agencies throughout state government in regard to appointments, hiring and promotions. The governor appears to be indifferent to equal employment opportunity, diversity and inclusion. Her actions give one the impression that she objects to public scrutiny and review. One could also take her veto as a blatant act of political arrogance and a lack of concern for the advancement of racial and gender groups.

The governor has been in office for over six years and has produced no credible or empirical evidence that her administration is open, transparent and welcomes public review of the appointment, hiring and promotion data on minorities and women of color. The unacceptable excuse that the state personnel software is not designed to ascertain such information is lightweight at best. The state personnel department has a form that records the ethnic, racial and gender classifications on all applications for executive appointments and nonexempt employees.

Also, the action of the Martinez administration to fully respond to Inspection of Records Requests is questionable. Prove to the public that more than a good faith effort is made to produce certain hiring and appointment records. Senate Bill 269 was a prime opportunity for the governor to endorse and show her true commitment to equality and justice. I firmly believe that this decision will taint her overall record as being the first Hispanic female governor. Actions speak louder than words.

On a higher note, both Sen. Linda Lopez and Rep. Javier Martinez, both D-Albuquerque, should be commended for their courage to craft such legislation. The bill is open-government legislation and would have required needed training for state employees to become more culturally competent and proficient. The taxpayers are the losers.

Those legislators who voted against the bill should recalibrate their moral compass on issues related to open government, transparency and good judgment.