New Mexico Senate Democrats join call for special session
Updated: 04/01/2015 9:05 PM | Created: 04/01/2015 12:57 PM
By: Stu Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Millions of dollars in public works projects. Thousands of jobs. There was a lot at stake in the $264 million capital outlay bill that failed to pass in the closing hours of the state legislature’s 60-day-session last month. Now Senate Democrats are calling for a special session to get that bill passed, but Republican Governor Susana Martinez is not exactly warming up to the idea.
Senate Democratic leader Michael Sanchez launched a statement Wednesday morning that seemed to open the door for a special session.
“It cannot be another round of my way or the highway,” the statement said. “The Senate’s bill must be the starting point for negotiations.” But the governor says that leaves her out, along with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
“I don’t think that’s really bipartisanship,” Martinez said on Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t think we’re going to get anything better if that’s where they want to start. It’s more of the same; it’s just more of the same.”
Later Wednesday, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, a Republican, called on lawmakers to work together and work with the governor to reach an agreement on capital outlay for a special session.
So – will there be one? Right now it doesn’t look likely, but don’t bet the ranch on that.
There’s a lot at stake here – a lot of projects, a lot of jobs. That does have a way of bringing people together – even when they can’t stand each other.