Posted on 03/06/2008 2:30:44 PM PST by CedarDave
Gov. Bill Richardson used his veto pen to cut $7 million in capital improvement financing, and members of the Senate were on the losing side.
The Senate has bucked Richardson on a number of issues, including the governor's top priority this session: a plan to expand health care coverage.
Richardson signed a bill (SB 471) into law Wednesday to provide $341 million for capital improvements, often called pork, across the state. But he vetoed $7 million for projects, and all were sponsored by members of the Senate, according to an analysis by the Legislative Finance Committee.
Among the casualties of Richardson's vetoes: $500,000 for renovation of a law enforcement complex in Deming, which is the hometown of Sen. John Arthur Smith, a Democrat and chairman of the Finance Committee. The governor has complained that the committee didn't consider a water-downed version of his health care proposal after it passed the House.
Senate Republican Whip Leonard Lee Rawson of Las Cruces said the vetoes appeared politically motivated. He had more projects vetoed than any other senator: $508,000.
"It's absolutely personal," Rawson said of the governor's vetoes. "They were targeted vetoes."
Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for Richardson, said in a statement: "Sen. Rawson has been purely partisan and defiant as a state senator. He is not willing to work with the governor in the best interest of New Mexico."
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
NM list PING!
Seven million? Childs’ play. Shift that to BILLIONS, then move him to California for some effect before Schwarzen-Kennedy and the radical libs here financially destroy what is left of our economy.
NM Ping
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Sixteen seconds quick enough for you? ;)
King Bill outs himself again as a small, mean loser.
Wow!! Fast fingers!!
no pork. no health care socialism. a win win for new mexico
Never enough money here for the schools. More than one needing renovation.
This state needs Gary Johnson again.
That's funny, becuase I cant see how richardson would even have the slightest clue what is in the best interest of New Mexico.
Well at least we saved 7 mil. on pork....out of 300 mil. plus. /shakes head.
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