Martinez puts pressure on lawmakers

SANTA FE (KRQE) - From personally testifying in committee to get a bill passed to using leftover campaign funds to launch a radio ad campaign, Gov. Susana Martinez has implemented a lot of firsts just a few months into her term.  But several Democratic lawmakers said they're the target of these aggressive new tactics. 

"My biggest promise was that I was going to bring the people to the process," Martinez told reporters. 

Martinez launched a radio ad campaign on Tuesday to push a ban on issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants through the Legislature.

"New Mexico is attracting people from around the world -- China, Poland and Brazil.  But they're not coming here to ski or for Balloon Fiesta. They're illegal immigrants coming for drivers licenses," the ad's commentator said.

Martinez also has posted committee meetings online, particularly when items on her agenda, such as Katie's Law, the voter identification bill and the driver's license issue, are on the table.

"Susana Martinez seems to be using bully tactics because she can't seem to deliver on her failed campaign promises," said James Hallinan, spokesman for Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, D-Albuquerque.

Hallinan said Maestas has been flooded with calls following a vote on Saturday against prohibiting illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses.  Martinez posted the meeting on her website and urged people to contact representatives who voted against the bill.

"There's been a lot of robo-dials," said Hallinan. "The staff is just getting tied up in these different offices."

The automated phone calls were paid for and launched by the Republican Party of New Mexico.

Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, said he's even received calls from people outside his district calling him a "socialist." 

"At some point, you have to transition from campaigning to governing," said Griego. "The two or three issues we keep talking about are law enforcement issues, and I'm not saying they're not important, but the governor of New Mexico has a much broader agenda than law enforcment." 

Griego said the big budget issue has taken a back seat due to the governor's new tactics.  But Martinez said the methods are used for transparency and accountability.

"When there are bills that are important, [people] should be able to say, 'I want an up or down vote,'" said Martinez. "This is what we want. It's not just legislating from the Roundhouse and being out of touch with those that elected them."

Griego said he and several other lawmakers still haven't met with the governor face-to-face. He said he hopes to resolve the budget and other issues in person during the remainder of the session.