Senator Wirth: Pocket Veto Politics

Peter Wirth

NMPolitics - The City of Santa Fe’s No. 1 priority in this year’s legislative session went to a silent and unceremonious death. Governor Martinez pocket vetoed Senate Bill 8, legislation proposed to close a legal loophole in state law that currently allows new condominiums to circumvent local zoning requirements. Supported by the city’s Land Use Department, neighborhoods and the New Mexico Municipal League, SB 8 was not a mandate on local governments, but offered cities and counties the option of requiring zoning compliance with the formation of new condominiums. Had SB 8 been signed into law, it would have stopped the legal uncertainties facing purchasers and land use planners dealing with non-compliant condos. It also would have helped our neighborhoods maintain the integrity that zoning ordinances provide. A lot of work went into SB 8. When first proposed by the city in January 2010, the language in the proposed bill was opposed by some realtors and land-use lawyers. To address these concerns, instead of introducing legislation in the 2010 30-day session, a draft bill was presented to the Courts, Corrections and Justice interim committee last summer. All parties worked together to reach consensus and propose legislation that the interim committee unanimously endorsed. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Senator Wirth: Pocket Veto Politics