Senate leaders point to ‘session successes’

In a news release, leaders of the state Senate say the session that just ended was at least partly successful, pointing to the approval of funding bills and making reference to battles with Gov. Bill Richardson.

At least two Senate leaders, in the news release, made references to Richardson’s decision on Wednesday to veto the original capital outlay bill, House Bill 43, before the 6 p.m. deadline lawmakers and the attorney general said he faced to take action.

“…we had a conflict with the governor over constitutional roles. But, fortunately, the governor recognized that he needed to stick to the role laid out for him in the state constitution for signing or vetoing bills,” Senate President Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, said in the release.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said it was disappointing that Richardson “chose to veto some of the funding that the Senate felt was important – and even critical – for meeting many of our local and statewide needs,” but said “that is how the process works.”

“Still, we passed lots of important legislation – and some of the funding we felt was important was left in place – and, if nothing else, the governor recognized that the legislative process involves two branches of government, each with their own duties and responsibilities,” he said.

Jennings said the session was difficult, but successful “from the standpoint of the state citizens’ overall interests.” And Senate Finance Chair John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said the Legislature approved the budget in a fiscally responsible way.

In an interview, Smith said the governor’s staff released a revenue forecast on Monday that wasn’t as positive as previous forecasts. He said there is some dispute about it, but the reality is that “the risk is much greater than what it’s been in the past.”

“We are in recession and I’m real concerned on the gross-receipts and the personal-income-tax side, and I think the governor’s real concerned about that as well,” Smith said.

Because of that, he said he will be encouraging the governor to veto some of the funds approved in Senate Bill 471, the final capital outlay bill, and he also hopes the governor will hold off, at least for now, on calling a special session for health-care reform so lawmakers and the governor’s staff can better analyze the current financial situation.

Smith said there is some dispute about the cost of Richardson’s health-care plan, and the Senate will need some better data before its members are willing to consider the bill.