New Mexico Supreme Court invalidates vetoes

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has ordered that 10 bills vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2017 go into effect anyway because the governor failed to provide an immediate explanation or her reasoning to lawmakers as required by the state constitution. The court decision Wednesday resolves a year-long dispute over the extent of the governor's veto authority. In oral arguments, attorneys for the Democrat-led Legislatures said Martinez made it difficult or impossible to respond to her concerns about proposed legislation or to move forward with an override vote. A state district court opened the way for the disputed bills became law in September. The vetoed bills sought to expand access to high-speed internet, open the way for industrial hemp research programs and allow high school students to count computer science classes toward core math credits needed for graduation. The Republican governor previously said the Legislature was overstepping its authority in challenging the vetoes. Attorneys for the governor say lawmakers eventually received written explanations for five of the contested vetoes, leaving enough time to revise the bills or attempt an override vote. ___