New Mexico Senate Democrats
For Immediate Release: February 20, 2017
Contact: Zach Marcus (505) 986-4882 Zachary.Marcus@nmlegis.gov
Senate Passes Bipartisan Funding Solution to Ensure Courts Can Pay Juries Through End of Fiscal Year
(Santa Fe, NM) Today the Senate overwhelmingly voted to provide the Judiciary with funding needed to pay juries through the end of the Fiscal Year. Previously, Governor Susana Martinez vetoed two different attempts to appropriate funding needed to prevent court closures, ensure court services continue, and fund jury trials.
House Bill 261 will provide the $1.6 million to the Administrative Offices of the Courts needed to keep the jury fund solvent through the end of the fiscal year and an additional $80 thousand for the New Mexico Supreme Court need to make up for a projected shortfall.
“The Legislature continues to recognize the crisis facing our courts. After two previous attempts, the legislature acted with one voice to ensure a coequal branch of Government has the money it needs to meet their constitutional obligations,” said Senator Majority Leader Wirth.
“Our courts are getting the funding they desperately need. I will work closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure this bill is signed into law, “said Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto who sponsored the legislation in the New Mexico Senate.
This bill now goes to the New Mexico House of Representatives for concurrence.
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