SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez ordered a special session of the Legislature on Friday to resolve a grinding state budget crisis, with no sign of a compromise with leading Democratic lawmakers.
Calling legislators to the New Mexico Capitol on May 24, the governor’s proclamation asserts that lawmakers approved a $6.1 billion budget in March that was out-of-balance. The governor last month vetoed tax and fee hikes that many lawmakers say are necessary to shore up funding to public schools, courts and essential public services.
The decision to reconvene lawmakers comes as the Supreme Court weighs accusations that Martinez overstepped her authority by defunding the Democratic-led Legislature and all state universities and colleges for the fiscal year beginning July 1 – a step Martinez has said was necessary to avoid a deficit.
The Legislature says the governor’s line-item vetoes upset the balance of powers between branches of government outlined in the state’s constitution by “effectively abolishing” the legislative branch.
In a legal briefing Friday, the Martinez administration urged the Supreme Court to stay out of the budget standoff and said her vetoes were made in pursuit of reductions to state spending and never sought to abolish the Legislature.