Posted on 05/26/2011 10:26:24 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Santa Fe - Democratic lawmakers believe the governor broke the rules again and they're taking her to court because of it.
On Wednesday Democratic legislators Mimi Stewart, Kiki Saavedra, John Arthur Smith and Luciano "Lucky" Varela slapped the governor with two lawsuits over her line-item vetoes in an unemployment bill and a housing bill.
The unemployment bill would have required businesses to pay more into unemployment benefits. The governor chose to take out the line that specifies the amount. Lawmakers argue she can't do that because it's not an appropriations bill.
The second bill allocated $150,000 to the Mortgage Finance Authority. The governor knocked out the "1" leaving $50,000. Lawmakers argue she can either veto or sign this bill, but can't change the amount.
Varela says he doesn't recall a governor ever doing this to a bill saying they need to challenge her actions now rather than later.
"What would happen if she starts vetoing appropriations numbers everywhere?" he said.
The Republican governor defended her actions.
"You know it's interesting," she said. "It's the same kind of line-item veto that (former Gov.) Bill Richardson did with the food tax. He line-item vetoed the appropriation, and it was fine. It wasn't challenged. I think it's interesting to see the same behavior being treated differently."
(Excerpt) Read more at krqe.com ...
Eventually the courts will just declare Republicans/non-Democrats unconstitutional and be done with it.
she is an evil republican, of course it needs to be treated differently, democrats are above the law, just ask them.
The DemoRATs just cannot handle the law. So they place themselves above it. When will the Repubs in this country grow a pair, and start fixing this problem?
I hate DEMON crats more and more every day. I’d love to see their party go the way of the Whigs - never to be seen or heard from again.
Demwits. Thanks smokingfrog.
dimwit-c’rats
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I couldn’t believe they did that! Lujan will do anything - he’s so desperate to retain power.
Varela has a selective memory regarding all the things that Richardson did.
I hope that soon NM gets rid of the democrats running the state, but I don't have a lot of faith in the intelligence of democrat voters.
New Mexico has always had one set of rules for Democrats, and another for Republicans. Back when Tom Udall was our AG, he had one set of rules for King, and another for Johnson. All Democrats are corrupt, so it’s okay for Democrats to do the wrong thing, but don’t let a Republican try and get away with it.
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