Moderate New Mexico Senate Dems slow liberal House freshmen

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Liberal New Mexico House freshmen lawmakers saw some bills blocked by moderate Democrats in the state Senate this session.
The Democratic first-term House lawmakers say overall they were satisfied with the results from the Democratic-controlled Legislative session that ended Friday. But many say they were frustrated by conservative Democrats in the Senate who stalled and tabled more liberal proposals on marijuana, early childhood education and immigration.
First-term Rep. Andrea Romero, a Santa Fe Democrat, says fellow freshmen were disappointed that Senate Democrats hindered some of their initiatives. She says her class members were elected with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and have the same energy.
But Sen. John Sapien, a Bernalillo Democrat, says the Senate has a responsibility to be deliberate and examine the financial implications of all proposals.