FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statements from Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen & Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth on Court Decision Invalidating Vetoes of Gov. Susana Martinez
(Santa Fe, NM) – Following today’s decision by the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe in favor of the Legislature in its lawsuit to invalidate ten vetoes by Governor Susana Martinez during the 2017 Regular Session, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth issued the following statements:
Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen:
“We are very pleased that the voices of New Mexicans in the Roundhouse were restored. We urge Governor Martinez to accept the Court’s decision and allow the people of New Mexico to move on. With the enactment of these ten bills, our students will be better able to learn science and math for good careers in the future, small businesses will have a better opportunity to thrive, and we will strengthen our state’s economy.”
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth:
“The Court’s decision today is a clear victory for our state Constitution, and for the principle that no branch of government is above the law. By requiring the Governor to follow the process spelled out in the Constitution for vetoing legislation, the Legislature has a chance to correct the stated objection before the end of the session. This is a win for the process and the people of New Mexico.”
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