Threat of vetoes may lead legislators to seek constitutional changes

[TexasTowelie]

SANTA FE – There’s at least one roadblock that could bar high-profile bills backed by New Mexico Democratic lawmakers – including raising the minimum wage and legalizing recreational marijuana use – from hitting the state’s books next year.

That’s Gov. Susana Martinez, who still has two more years in office and could block some of the measures with her veto pen.

That Roundhouse dynamic – after Democrats reclaimed the state House in last month’s general election and expanded their majority in the Senate – could lead to efforts to push some of the initiatives through the Legislature via changes to the state Constitution. That’s because, unlike regular bills, the governor does not have to sign off on constitutional amendments for them to take effect.

They do have to be approved by New Mexico voters, however.

Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/901411/threat-of-vetoes-may-spur-bids-for-constitutional-changes.html

[janx]

1. Enshrine it!

"Ortiz y Pino acknowledged some fellow senators expressed misgivings about the attempt to enshrine marijuana legalization in the Constitution, but he said going that route would show the federal government that New Mexico voters support the concept."

Enshrine it now!

[janx]

2. Otherwise--

Otherwise, we'll have to wait two years, until Susana is gone.