Analyzing the Martinez Veto of SB 19

Thomas Molitor

NMPolitics - Intentions are always good when legislators introduce bills that attempt to create jobs in their state. Senate Bill 19 was a such a bill. Introduced by Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque and Rep. Larry Larranaga, R-Albuquerque, SB19 would have required a business to be established in New Mexico and paying state taxes for a few years before it could qualify for a preference law that gives local contractors a 5 percent advantage when bidding on public projects. Evidently, SB19 has broad support – from the business community, legislators, and Gov. Susana Martinez. Yet Martinez vetoed the measure last week, because of a five-word phrase in the bill that became a concern. The phrase that garnered her veto was the definition of a public body, which included the words “any entity on state-owned land.” She felt that the phrase leaves concerns that private businesses might be included under the definition. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Analyzing the Martinez Veto of SB 19