Martinez: Legislators 'wasted 58 days'

CLOVIS — Gov. Susana Martinez came to Clovis on Wednesday afternoon to discuss her recent veto of a $350 million tax increase proposed by the state Legislature at the end of their session last month.

The legislature met from Jan. 17 through March 18 and, according to Martinez, squandered too much of that time discussing the state song, Bigfoot research, and other "ridiculous things."

"They had already wasted 58 days," said Martinez. She said they threw together the budget plan as such even though she was very clear that she would veto any tax increases.

"Why do it, knowing I am going to veto it?" she asked. "I was willing to talk to them and give them $300 million in options."

Martinez said a special session was inevitable, but didn't know when it would take place. She's hopeful a consensus can be reached over the next few weeks so the special session lasts only a day.

Those options, explained Martinez, were alternatives to the tax increases that would allow the state to keep costs down for working families while increasing reserve funds, meaning a lower interest rate for the state.

Alternatives she mentioned include liquidating some $63 million in capital projects , encouraging retirement investment by state employees, and trimming excess reserve holdings from local school districts.

Martinez said she is "still optimistic" that the Democrat-led Legislature can "constitutionally present a balanced budget" to her.

"They need to come to the table and start making some real solutions," she said. Those solutions, in her vision, do not involve higher gas prices.

Representative Randy Crowder of Clovis, a fellow Republican, stood with Martinez yesterday during her presentation at the state police local headquarters. He said the state has "a spending problem, not an income problem."

"We need to be consistent and trim our state government," said Martinez.

Regarding Martinez' veto of House Bill 241, which would have given teachers their full 10 contractually-allowed sick days, Martinez felt a good compromise was made following the session.

Teachers may now take up to six sick days before absenteeism becomes part of their overall evaluation, instead of three. Martinez said that makes up just 5 percent of the evaluation, and said classes are not as effective under substitute teachers.

Crowder said he and other House Republicans who voted for the measure but against the veto override did so because information changed between the two votes. He said people who were upset often didn't read the legislation, Martinez' veto message or what the bill's original sponsor said.