SANTA FE – It’s been more than a week since the 60-day legislative session ended, but the work is seemingly never-ending at the Roundhouse. Gov. Susana Martinez must review 284 bills in less than two weeks, and lawmakers and lobbyists are working to get her vote.
“The legislature this year, if it’s on her desk, it pretty much has strong consensus from both bodies,” said Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque.
Maestas has six bills awaiting the governor’s signature, the most of any lawmaker this session, including a measure that tightens New Mexico’s sex offender law and a bill that would send non-violent criminals to treatment instead of jail for certain drug charges.
“The treatment bill is a policy initiative that a prosecutor would have trouble with, but a governor should not,” said Maestas. “I relayed to the chief of staff that I would love to talk to the governor about any of my bills, but no communication as of yet.”
There are less controversial bills that also face the same decision-making. Jennifer Ramo, Executive Director of New Mexico Appleseed, has been lobbying SB 144, a measure that would require high poverty elementary schools to serve students breakfast even after school starts.
“Eating breakfast is the key to academic success,” said Ramo. “I think this would dovetail with her commitment to New Mexico children. Part of her education reforms needs to be what these children are showing up with and not just what we teach them. But until it’s signed, it certainly doesn’t become law.”
Scott Darnell, Communications Director for Gov. Martinez, said the administration is still in the process of reviewing all the bills and seeking input from lawmakers, agencies and citizens about each piece of legislation. Of the 284 bills that passed both the House and Senate, only 50 have landed on Martinez’s desk.
Darnell said much of the delay is because each bill must be signed by four people, including the Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Nambe, before it reaches the fourth floor.
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