This Just in From NM Senate Democrats

Tim Jennings

Senate Democrats are baffled by Governor Martinez's recent attempt to cancel licenses of 10,000 foreign nationals holding New Mexico driver's licenses after rejecting a compromise bill that not only called for cancellation, but provided for even stricter requirements for obtaining driver's licenses for foreign nationals without social security numbers. The compromise bill that passed the Senate during the regular legislative session would have canceled all driver's licenses of foreign nationals without social security numbers and required them to re-apply with much stricter residency requirements, fingerprinting, and tougher penalties for violators.

Michael Sanchez

"During the regular session, the Governor made it very clear she was not willing to consider any part of the compromise," said Senator Timothy Z. Jennings (D-32-Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, Otero). "Yet, four months later, she decides to implement a key component of the bill without any of the safeguards against fraud included in the compromise. If this issue truly is about public safety, then why didn't she support a proposal that actually would have taken steps to prevent and punish fraud and protect public safety?" asked Sen. Jennings.

Susana Martinez

"There were parts of the compromise that I wasn't happy with but I was willing to accept them in order to move forward on this issue. That is the whole point of compromise," said Senator Michael S. Sanchez (D-29-Valencia). "The Governor's refusal to negotiate with the legislature on this and other issues reminds me of the gridlock paralyzing Washington today," said Sen. Sanchez. "I encourage the Governor to rise above that mindset in Washington and focus on solving the problems we have in New Mexico, such as the economy."

This Just in From NM Senate Democrats