Post by Logan on Dec 5, 2016 23:38:59 GMT -6
Threat of vetoes may lead legislators to seek constitutional changes
SANTA FE – There’s at least one roadblock that could bar high-profile bills backed by New Mexico Democratic lawmakers – including raising the minimum wage and legalizing recreational marijuana use – from hitting the state’s books next year.
That’s Gov. Susana Martinez, who still has two more years in office and could block some of the measures with her veto pen.
That Roundhouse dynamic – after Democrats reclaimed the state House in last month’s general election and expanded their majority in the Senate – could lead to efforts to push some of the initiatives through the Legislature via changes to the state Constitution. That’s because, unlike regular bills, the governor does not have to sign off on constitutional amendments for them to take effect.
They do have to be approved by New Mexico voters, however.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/901411/threat-of-vetoes-may-spur-bids-for-constitutional-changes.html
SANTA FE – There’s at least one roadblock that could bar high-profile bills backed by New Mexico Democratic lawmakers – including raising the minimum wage and legalizing recreational marijuana use – from hitting the state’s books next year.
That’s Gov. Susana Martinez, who still has two more years in office and could block some of the measures with her veto pen.
That Roundhouse dynamic – after Democrats reclaimed the state House in last month’s general election and expanded their majority in the Senate – could lead to efforts to push some of the initiatives through the Legislature via changes to the state Constitution. That’s because, unlike regular bills, the governor does not have to sign off on constitutional amendments for them to take effect.
They do have to be approved by New Mexico voters, however.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/901411/threat-of-vetoes-may-spur-bids-for-constitutional-changes.html