Veto override on New Mexico teacher sick leave fails

A veto override attempt has failed in the New Mexico House of Representatives on a bill that would have allowed teachers to take more than three days of annual sick leave without being penalized on performance evaluations.

Support for the override fell short of a two-thirds super-majority needed to override the veto by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, in a 36-31 vote Friday.

Martinez said the bill threatened to reverse recent reductions in teacher absentee rates and to increase the use of substitutes in classrooms.

The Senate had approved the override in a 34-7 vote.

The unusual legislative revolt was led by a fellow Republican Sen. Craig Brandt.

The lawmaker insisted teachers should not be pressured to work while sick and that local school boards should set sick-leave policy.