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Dona Ana County commissioners rescind prayer policy after public comment and debate
Summary
The board voted to rescind a 2018 resolution that had authorized opening county commission meetings with a prayer; the vote followed hours of public comment and an exchange among commissioners about inclusion and division.
The Dona Ana County Board of County Commissioners voted to rescind Resolution 2018-25, which authorized opening commission meetings with a prayer, after extended discussion and public comment. The motion to rescind passed on a 4-1 roll call vote, with Vice Chair Chaparro the lone dissent.
Supporters and opponents filled the commission chambers and spoke during a public-comment period that stretched for more than an hour. Proponents described prayer as a longstanding civic practice and urged the commission to preserve it; opponents said state-sponsored prayer at public meetings creates the appearance of government endorsement of particular faiths and cited constitutional concerns.
The resolution up for rescission had been…
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