New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she was pleased that state lawmakers came together for a special session and passed measures on capital funding and tax incentives.
But the Republican stopped short Monday of saying she wouldn't veto specific line items for projects.
Martinez says she will take her time to examine the details of a capital spending bill for roads and water projects. She praised the GOP-led House and the Democratic-controlled Senate for putting aside differences for the state.
Both bodies passed three key measures during a four-hour long special session Monday after months of partisan bickering.
4:30 p.m. MDT
The New Mexico House and Senate have adjourned after passing three key bills during a special session on capital funding and tax incentives.
The GOP-led House and the Democratic-controlled Senate passed a measure Monday to fund $295 million worth of public works projects.
A package of tax incentives and a bill that provides supplemental funding to two state agencies facing shortfalls were also approved.
Lawmakers came together for a special session following weeks of private negotiations and calls from business leaders to end the partisan bickering and pass the proposals.
Officials say the capital package increases funding for senior centers and higher education institutions around the state.
Gov. Susana Martinez promises to sign all three bills.
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3 p.m. MDT
A measure to fund state courts and the state Department of Health has cleared the New Mexico Legislature.
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 41-0 during a special session Monday in Santa Fe to send the funding proposal to the desk of Gov. Susana Martinez. She has promised to sign it.
The measure received approved from the House earlier in the day.
Under the proposal, lawmakers set aside $112,000 for special session costs, $300,000 for courts and $4 million for the Health Department.
Senators now are debating a tax incentive bill, which the GOP-led House passed on a 60-2 vote.
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2:30 p.m. MDT
The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a measure to fund state courts and the state Department of Health and a proposal on a bundle of tax incentives.
The GOP-controlled chamber voted 60-0 during a special session Monday in Santa Fe to send the funding proposal to the Democratic-led Senate, which is expected to pass the measure without amendments.
The tax incentive bill passed 60-2.
Under the funding proposal, lawmakers set aside $112,000 for special session costs, $300,000 for courts and $4 million for the Health Department.
The House is set to debate a capital outlay bill passed earlier in the day by the Senate.
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2:10 p.m. MDT
The New Mexico Senate has passed a bill to fund $295 million worth of public works projects.
The Democratic-controlled chamber voted 42-0 during a special session Monday in Santa Fe to send the proposal to the GOP-led House, which is expected to pass the measure without amendments.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says senators will wait patiently for the House to deliberate the measure, which will fund senior centers, higher education and other public projects around the state.
Some senators say the measure marks a compromise with the governor's office and a win-win for New Mexicans.
Meanwhile, the House is taking up a bundle of tax incentives and funding for two state agencies facing shortfalls.
Lawmakers hope to finish the special session by Monday evening.
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1 p.m. MDT
The New Mexico Senate has convened in Santa Fe to do its part to iron out a battle over funding $295 million worth of public works projects.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez called the Democratic-controlled body to order Monday following weeks of negotiations between Gov. Susana Martinez and legislative leaders.
They were at odds over capital spending and a package of tax incentives.
Among the first orders of business, the Senate swore in Torrance County Republican Ted Barela, who was appointed by Martinez to replace Democrat Phil Griego in District 39.
Griego resigned over an ethics flap during the final week of the recent 60-day legislative session.
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12:05 p.m. MDT
The New Mexico House of Representatives has been called to order as part of a special session ordered by Gov. Susana Martinez to resolve a partisan fight over $295 million capital projects.
House Speaker Don Tripp began the special session for the GOP-controlled body on Monday as state lawmakers try to adopt an agreement over capital spending and a bundle of tax incentives. Sixty-three House members are on hand and seven are absence.
The Democrat-led Senate is expected to come together later Monday.
Lawmakers and staff were delayed in the morning after Public Service Co. of New Mexico says a large bird damaged transmission equipment and caused a temporary power outage in Santa Fe.
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9 a.m. MDT
New Mexico lawmakers are heading back to Santa Fe in an effort to resolve partisan bickering over a $295 million capital projects package.
The GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-led Senate will begin a special session at noon Monday after legislative leaders and Gov. Susana Martinez brokered an agreement over capital spending and a bundle of tax incentives.
Despite calls from business leaders to pass the spending bill for road and water projects, the chambers failed to reach a compromise during the regular session that ended in March.
The new agreement calls for increasing funding for senior centers and higher education institutions. The deal also calls for highway projects to be financed through both state general funds and severance tax bonds.
It also includes funding for two state agencies facing shortfalls.
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