The New Mexico Legislative Council declared Thursday night that six bills will be enacted into law, even though Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed them.
The revelation comes after KOB pointed out language to legislators in the NM State Constitution that states the governor is required to return vetoes with "his/her objections." Eight of the governor's vetoes have not included any explanation as to why she disagreed with the bills.
Attorneys working on behalf of the NM Legislature determined that the governor did not meet the constitutional requirement of sending her "objection" therefore, per the New Mexico Constitution, the bills were enacted into law after three days.
"At the end of the day, these bills are about jobs for New Mexicans," said Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque. "These are bills that would have extended broadband connectivity to rural New Mexico that would have made it easier to attract doctors to the state."
This is the exact language of the NM Constitution:
"If he approves, he shall sign it, and deposit it with the secretary of state; otherwise, he shall return it to the house in which it originated, with his objections, which shall be entered at large upon the journal."
KOB focused in on this language, "with his objections." Does that mean the governor must list why she is issuing a veto? Is a written objection necessary?
More:
http://www.kob.com/politics-news/legislature-declares-six-bills-as-law-even-though-governor-susana-vetoed-them-new-mexico-politics/4428292/
