The New Mexico chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association has been hard at work proposing legislation that would make CS count towards high school graduation as a math or science credit. Spearheaded by CSTA-NM President Paige Prescott, the bill was two years in the making and had the support of industry, universities and the Public Education Department. Sponsored by Representative Bill McCamley, Senate Bill 134 came up for vote on March 8, 2017 and UNANIMOUSLY passed the NM House floor. It seemed New Mexico was close to making CS education accessible to more of its students, but alas, Governor Martinez vetoed the bill on March 14th even though the bill had passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. Governor Martinez did not provide explanation in her veto messages to legislators.
Then on March 17, 2017, State Senate majority leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said the three bills that Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed in the past week (including Senate Bill 134) would become law after all because Governor Martinez’s vetoes were not valid because she failed to give an explanation within the time constraints outlined by the state constitution. The governor had three days during a legislative session to sign or veto bills with an explanation stating her objections. The bills become law if neither requirement is met.
Stay tuned..
Tuesday's cascade of unexplained vetoes by the governor may be unconstitutional. Santa Fe senator and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth
raised the issue last night and pointed to a section of New Mexico's Constitution that requires not just a veto but an explanation within three days while the Legislature is in session. Martinez did send explanations yesterday, but they may be too late. Meanwhile, Martinez is
sparring with Republican Senator Sander Rue over his bill that requires an accounting of her $80,000 contingency fund. After a nasty tweet about Rue from a Martinez political committee, the senator brought up that unspeakable night in December 2015—the pizza party - See more at: http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-13182-morning-word-round-and-round-we-go.html#sthash.vFvJyTRn.dpuf
Tuesday's cascade of unexplained vetoes by the governor may be unconstitutional. Santa Fe senator and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth
raised the issue last night and pointed to a section of New Mexico's Constitution that requires not just a veto but an explanation within three days while the Legislature is in session. Martinez did send explanations yesterday, but they may be too late. Meanwhile, Martinez is
sparring with Republican Senator Sander Rue over his bill that requires an accounting of her $80,000 contingency fund. After a nasty tweet about Rue from a Martinez political committee, the senator brought up that unspeakable night in December 2015—the pizza party. - See more at: http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-13182-morning-word-round-and-round-we-go.html#sthash.vFvJyTRn.dpuf
Tuesday's cascade of unexplained vetoes by the governor may be unconstitutional. Santa Fe senator and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth
raised the issue last night and pointed to a section of New Mexico's Constitution that requires not just a veto but an explanation within three days while the Legislature is in session. Martinez did send explanations yesterday, but they may be too late. Meanwhile, Martinez is
sparring with Republican Senator Sander Rue over his bill that requires an accounting of her $80,000 contingency fund. After a nasty tweet about Rue from a Martinez political committee, the senator brought up that unspeakable night in December 2015—the pizza party. - See more at: http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-13182-morning-word-round-and-round-we-go.html#sthash.vFvJyTRn.dpuf
