Senator Bill B. O’Neill and Senator Joseph Cervantes

SENATOR BILL B. O’NEILL

Senator Bill B. O’Neill is proud to be the senator representing District 13, or Albuquerque’s North Valley. When he’s not involved with the Legislature, Senator O’Neill is the development director for a program that helps high risk juveniles ensure a positive future for themselves in a positive and law abiding way.

Before serving in the state Senate, he had already served two terms in the state House of Representatives. Since his shift over to the other side of the Roundhouse, Senator O’Neill feels that he can be more effective as a legislator because of a longer term of two years as well as a smaller group of legislators to work with.

He is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 4, House Bill 124, and Senate Bill 313. SJR 4 seeks to remove gerrymandering from politics and help protect independent voters. House Bill 124 will make assault crimes on homeless individuals a hate crime, hopefully deterring crimes against this vulnerable group.

Senate Bill 313 would allow biomedical research and clinical interventions using stem cells. SB313 would not only help people facing health issues, but would also boost economic opportunities for New Mexicans. Senator O’Neill feels that all of these bills are important for the state, and as evidenced by his choice of profession he also has concern for building a brighter future for New Mexico.

Senator O’Neill is currently on the Senate Education Committee and also vice chair of the Senate Public Affairs Committee. He enjoys both committees, but feels that members of the Senate Public Affairs Committee are building an effective bipartisan ccooperation that will allow for effective work to be done.

So far he has found mentors in Senator Peter Wirth (Santa Fe, District 25) and Senator Pete Campos (Colfax, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos, District 8) who both just happen to sit on each side of him on the Senate floor. Senator O’Neill particularly relates with Senator Wirth, who shares the same experience of serving in the House and then serving in the Senate.

Senator O’Neill, who beams with pride as he often talks of his Irish heritage on the Senate Floor, jokingly recalled an incident during the 2013 Session when he went back to the House and he was introduced to the chamber: “They booed me!”

During his free time, the freshman senator visits record stores in search of vintage vinyl albums, and he writes poetry, some of which has been published. During his mid-20s, Senator O’Neill traveled around the country on freight trains. He described the experience as being similar to the popular movie, “Into the Wild”.

 

 

SENATOR JOSEPH CERVANTES

Senator Joseph Cervantes, who arrives in the Senate after serving in the state House of Representatives, lives in Dona Aña County and represents District 31. When he’s not immersing himself in the Legislature, he is a practicing attorney and businessman who enjoys farming his land. Senator Cervantes is also a loving husband and father of three daughters, ages 14,16 and 18. On top of being a father, politician and businessman he entertains himself by fly-fishing, camping, playing the guitar and landscaping.Since his transition from the House to the Senate, Senator Cervantes feels the experience so far in 2013 has been positive. He recognizes that working with a smaller number of lawmakers allows him to emphasize and create deeper interpersonal relationships with the other legislators. The shift from a two-year term to four years also allows for more time for things to be accomplished and gives him a new perspective of how the legislative process works. The freshman senator feels there’s a less of a sense of urgency to get things through and, instead, more time to foster and incubate more effective legislation.

In his time so far on the Senate side, Senator Cervantes has been helped by different veteran senators such as President Tempore Mary K. Papen (Dona Ana, District 38), who he shares close family relationships with and whose district is close; Majority Floor Leader Michael S. Sanchez (Bernalillo, Valencia, District 29), who masters the art of Senate procedure; and Senator John Arthur Smith (Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, District 35) on budget issues.

During the 2013 Session, Senator Cervantes is sponsoring several bills that address drought conditions, preservation of the Rio Grande and all other water resources, and responses to climate change.

Senator Cervantes is currently sitting on the Senate Conservation Committee and also the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he has a front row seat to witness most of the bills that deal with the issues in his own proposed legislation. Senator Cervantes is interested in seeing public education adapt to the evolving learning patterns of students and to work closely with teachers and administrators who work the front lines to ensure the success of New Mexico’s youth. Senator Cervantes also wants to work for more quality job opportunities for New Mexicans and foster a healthy economy in the state for years to come.