Demos, GOP governor at odds as session looms

By BARRY MASSEY
Associated Press
Sep 03, 2011 1:18 PM EDT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and Democrats in the Legislature find themselves on a collision course as they head into a special session to deal with the politically tricky assignment of redistricting.

The Legislature convenes Tuesday, but Democrats are grumbling because Martinez wants lawmakers to consider proposals in addition to the once-a-decade job of redistricting.

Among the governor's priorities is ending the state's policy of granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and a proposal to keep third-graders from moving to the fourth grade if they can't read proficiently.

Both measures died earlier this year in the Legislature's 60-day session. Democrats view the governor's renewed push on immigrant licenses as part of a GOP strategy to force Democrats to vote on a hot-button issue that can be used in the 2012 elections.

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