One week left for major bills in Legislature

SANTA FE (KRQE) - There are seven days left in the legislative session and many of the major bills still haven't made their way to the governor's desk yet.

Gov. Susana Martinez has signed five bills so far—one set aside money to fund this legislative session, another declared April "Bataan-Corregidor Heritage Month." But still no final action on controversial issues that many New Mexicans are concerned about with just a week left to go before the end of the session.

"There are always hundreds of bills. Some will pass, most of them won't but that's normal for the Legislature,” says Steven Neville, (R-Aztec).

"Our main function is to get a budget out, and we're very close to doing that,” Sen. Michael Sanchez, (D-Belen).

Out of more than 1,200 bills introduced, 34 have passed both the House and the Senate so far.

Those don't include many of the hot-button issues like changing the way driver's licenses are given to illegal immigrants, ensuring the New Mexico lottery scholarship program isn't low on funds or gun control legislation.

"Typically in the legislative session, it all happens in that last week,” says Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, (D-Albuquerque). “So, we're going to be very busy in the next seven days."

Gov. Martinez’ office released a statement Saturday saying, “Unfortunately, leadership in the Legislature has been held hostage by the fringe of their party, instead of working with the governor on [job creation, tax reform and education reform] in any meaningful way.”

But Democrats are accusing the Governor's office of the same, not being flexible and open to compromise.

One thing all the legislators KRQE News 13 spoke with agreed on: it's the quality not the quantity that counts.

"Everybody thinks we have to pass so many things here to be good in government, and I can tell you one thing—there's about 1,500 bills between both houses and the less we pass, it is okay. We need to pass things that really work for the people,” says Sen. Stuart Ingle, (R-Portales).

The legislative session ends at noon on March 16.

The governor has 20 days after the session ends to sign or veto the bills that pass both the House and the Senate.