{"id":540207,"date":"2018-03-10T11:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-03-10T18:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=540207"},"modified":"2018-03-12T06:36:17","modified_gmt":"2018-03-12T12:36:17","slug":"governors-vetoes-provoke-strong-words-from-native-lawmakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2018\/03\/governors-vetoes-provoke-strong-words-from-native-lawmakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor’s vetoes provoke strong words from Native lawmakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gov. Susana Martinez struck more than $2 million meant for the state\u2019s tribal communities from the state\u2019s budget using her line-item veto authority, a New Mexico In Depth review found.<\/p>\n

\"Susana

Heath Haussamen \/ NMPolitics.net<\/p>

Gov. Susana Martinez<\/p><\/div>\n

Another nearly $200,000 for educational programs meant for blacks, Latinos and Native Americans attending University of New Mexico also was eliminated.<\/p>\n

The vetoes provoked a strong reaction Thursday from two of the Legislature\u2019s half a dozen Native lawmakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is reckless and irresponsible that Governor Martinez would single out these critical investments in our Native communities that are in serious need,\u201d House Democratic Caucus Chair D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock, said in a press release Thursday. Johnson is Navajo.<\/p>\n

Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque, who is from Acoma Pueblo, said in the same release that she was \u201cdisappointed\u201d the governor line-item vetoed \u201cmeasures that would help Native communities across New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese communities, including my own, have historically been underserved, and Governor Martinez doesn\u2019t understand that when Native communities thrive, their local communities and our entire state will succeed,\u201d said Louis, who chairs the House State Government, Indian & Veteran Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n