Commentary: Today, Governor Martinez eliminated funding for both the legislative branch and every higher education institution across the state through line item vetoes in House Bill 2. Additionally, she vetoed House Bill 202, the bipartisan recurring revenue package that passed the senate on a vote of 34-4.
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth issued the following response:
“This is no way to run a government. What people expect and deserve is the type of bipartisan collaboration we saw in the Senate during the session. Today’s action by Governor Martinez sends a clear signal to New Mexico families and national bond agencies that she is in denial about the serious financial problems facing our state.
Governor Martinez has chosen to play extreme political games rather than act responsibly. Her attempt to use line-item vetoes to eliminate an entire branch of government and every higher education institution is outrageous.”