Legislature sends capital outlay bill to governor

The Legislature sent Gov. Bill Richardson a $622-million capital outlay bill this evening, giving the governor three days to act on it and assuring time at the end of the week to override vetoes before the session ends at noon on Saturday.

The approval comes the same day that lawmakers sent the $5.7-billion state budget to Richardson, giving him until Thursday to act on it. Richardson will be busy, having also planned a trip to the East Coast for his presidential campaign that will last all day on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 827, sponsored by Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, appropriates more than $622 million for capital outlay projects. Coupled with a pair of other bills, Campos told the Senate the state is appropriating more than $760 million for infrastructure this year.

“It’s a good investment in New Mexico’s future,” he said before the Senate approved the measure.

Earlier in the evening, House members gave themselves a standing ovation after unanimously approving the bill. Senators also unanimously approved the measure on a voice vote.