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Lawmakers Face Flood Of Constitutional Amendments

If some lawmakers have their way, New Mexico voters will be busy in the November general election deciding a host of policy questions ranging from legalizing marijuana to increasing the minimum wage.

A flurry of proposed constitutional amendments in the Legislature has Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and some lawmakers questioning whether the Constitution — a document defining fundamental law and rights — is being misused.

Constitutional amendments, unlike a bill to change statutory law, go straight to voters if approved by the Legislature. That provides a way to bypass the governor and a potential veto.

Senate President Mary Kay Papen, a Las Cruces Democrat, says she doesn't want lawmakers to make it a habit of using constitutional amendments to push proposals they don't think the governor would sign.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.