Governor Martinez vetoes eight bills over two days
As the New Mexico legislative session is quickly coming to a close, some lawmakers are left wondering why Governor Susana Martinez vetoed eight bills over the course of two days without explanation.
Martinez vetoed two bills Tuesday and six Wednesday, which lawmakers say, received bi-partisan support.
Below is a list of the eight bills vetoed by the governor, per nmpoliticalreport.com:
SB 24 was sponsored by a bipartisan pair of legislators and was aimed to make it easier for local governments to support the development of infrastructure for high-speed internet.
SB 184 was an update to the rules for horse-racing licenses.
SB 356 dealt with the paperwork filed by special tax districts.
HB 126 would’ve changed the criteria for scholarships awarded to medical students who promise to practice in underserved areas. It would have allowed graduates of private colleges to have the same chance at scholarships as graduates of public universities.
SB 222 changed the definition of “political subdivision,” cutting the number of entities under the oversight of a watchdog office in the Department of Finance and Administration.
SB 64 would’ve continued a state program that provides funding for technology upgrades in public schools.
SB 67 would have required governments to inform their county treasurer whenever a tax increment development district is formed.
And SB 134 would have allowed computer science to count as a math or science credit in public schools.
“All of these bills were not anything controversial, in fact the ones I know of were passed out of both houses of the legislature with support from both parties at a great level,” Representative Bill McCamley (D) told ABC-7.
McCamley was a co-sponsor for SB 134, which would have allowed computer science to count as a math or science credit. Referring to the governor, McCamley said, “With her own education department supporting it, I have no earthly idea why it wasn’t put into place and the only people it’s going to hurt is our kids.”
The New Mexico legislative session ends March 18.
ABC-7 reached out to the governor’s office and is still waiting to hear back.
