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Redistricting Legal Bills Could Top $5 Million

Office of the Governor

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The legal cost of redrawing political maps in New Mexico could top $5 million this year.

The Albuquerque Journal reports lawyers for Gov. Susana Martinez filed a petition with retired state District Judge James Hall Monday objecting to the awards sought by lawyers for Democratic plaintiffs and a group of Indian tribes.

Hall has before him more than $3.9 million in requests for legal fees and costs from various parties in the lawsuits. And $1.2 million has already been spent.

Martinez and other GOP executive defendants say the "vast sums" sought by the Democratic and tribal plaintiffs are "shocking."

They say the requests are "grossly out of proportion" with what Republicans and the Navajo Nation have sought.

Hall has scheduled a hearing on the request for April 20.

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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.