Governor Defends Packed Agenda, Pushes For Repealing Immigration Law
kfoxtv.com
Samantha Manning-KFOX 14 Las Cruces Bureau Reporter
Posted: 1:51 pm MDT September 8, 2011
Updated: 5:00 pm MDT September 8, 2011

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Gov. Susana Martinez has been criticized for adding on bills to the agenda for the special session that was called to address redistricting of political boundaries this week, but she said those bills are issues that would need to be voted on anyway and insists that sooner is better than later.

"Time is of the essence," Martinez said.

For every day that the Legislature is in session, it could cost taxpayers more than $50,000. Martinez said that since legislators are convened to discuss redistricting anyway, it's a better use of their time to tackle more than one issue.

"Ten years ago when they had redistricting it took 17 days, and in 17 days they dealt with only one issue: redistricting," Martinez said. "So why not roll up our sleeves and look at what's important to our families and handle a few of these bills?"

Martinez admitted that the beginning of the special session has had a slow start and said that legislators expect it to take up to 21 days.

Martinez said in order to make any decisions on redistricting, she needs to be given district maps by the legislators.

"I haven't seen any maps as of yet," Martinez said. "We've asked to be able to see maps so that we can be part of the process."

One of the additional bills to be presented during the special session includes the governor's efforts to repeal a law allowing undocumented immigrants to drive.

"Sixty-seven percent of Hispanic voters support the repeal of this law," Martinez said.

Martinez has admitted that her own grandparents came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico, but she argued that the laws were different back then and that her family history is irrelevant.

"I think what's important is this isn't just about Hispanics," Martinez said. "This is about people from all over the world coming to New Mexico with a sole purpose of getting a driver's license, a very valid and valuable ID, using false documentation, and then leaving our state. It's not that I'm Hispanic and that some of the folks coming here are Hispanic. It's about public safety."

And Governor Martinez said the issue of safety extends beyond New Mexico.

"It becomes a United States ID and they go and trade it in another state, and that state never intended for an illegal immigrant to possess that kind of a license," Martinez said.

Martinez tried earlier this year during the regular session to repeal this law but failed.

"I'm not sure why they are fighting this the way they are," Martinez said. "Everywhere I go is the support for this law to be repealed, and I just can't find the logic as to why they're not willing to do what New Mexicans want them to do."

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