{"id":323856,"date":"2017-04-13T12:01:07","date_gmt":"2017-04-13T18:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=323856"},"modified":"2017-04-13T22:47:03","modified_gmt":"2017-04-14T04:47:03","slug":"gov-martinez-was-right-to-wield-veto-pen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2017\/04\/gov-martinez-was-right-to-wield-veto-pen\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Martinez was right to wield veto pen"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Heath Haussamen \/ NMPolitics.net<\/p>

A statue outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.<\/p><\/div>\n

COMMENTARY:\u00a0<\/strong>There has been a lot of criticism of Gov. Martinez in the wake of her use of the veto pen during\u00a0the 2017 legislative session. Tough economic times are not fun, and New Mexico (unlike most other states in the union) remains in the midst of tough times.<\/p>\n

Democrats in the Legislature recently spoke out,\u00a0saying \u201cenough is enough\u201d<\/a>\u00a0in reference to budget cuts — and there have been increasing calls for the Legislature to override certain vetoes.<\/p>\n

\"Paul

Courtesy photo<\/p>

Paul Gessing<\/p><\/div>\n

On can argue the merits or demerits of many of the dozens of vetoes, but the big ones on the budget and tax hikes are rightfully getting the most attention. Those vetoes are the only thing standing between us and even worse economic conditions than we face now.<\/p>\n

By any measure, New Mexico government spends more, often much more,<\/a>\u00a0than its more economically successful neighbors. Yet, as a recent Wallethub report noted<\/a>, New Mexicans get a poor return on their investment.<\/p>\n

Before raising taxes, it is time to make our government work better for its citizens and taxpayers.<\/p>\n

But, if we want to preserve the level of government services we have, we need to grow the economy in order to pay for it. The Legislature has repeatedly refused to loosen regulations that would grow the economy.<\/p>\n