Critics Decry Gov. Susana Martinez's Job-Killing Legislation

Weeks of robo-dials, radio ads and press conferences designed to push legislation Governor Susana Martinez supported culminated last week during debates about the state budget, film credits and driver’s licenses for undocumented workers.

“We should be spending our time coming up with ways to bolster our economy and make sure all New Mexicans have warm homes, good food and New Mexico chile on the dinner table instead of impressing bigotry and fear,” Rep. Eliseo Alcon (D-Cibola, McKinley) said.

The governor has publicly supported a number of measures during the 60-day legislative session. Among them are: the expansion of Katie’s Law; instituting a grading system for schools and stopping social promotion; reducing the film tax credit; and repealing the law allowing undocumented workers to get driver’s licenses.

“Not one of her supported pieces of legislation does anything to address the economic concerns of New Mexicans,” Rep. Alcon said. “She claims the tax credit saves us millions, but it will cost us over 12,000 jobs.”

Governor Martinez spent residual campaign funds to launch a media blitz on Democratically represented districts to sidestep standard legislative process and “blast” House Bill 78 to the House floor. The legislation is based on one of Governor Martinez’s campaign issues -- repeal of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants -- or as many of her supporters call them, "illegal aliens," as if they were not human beings at all. It's easier to stir up an atmosphere of fear and hatred against abstract "aliens" than it is to do so against hard-working, caring, feeling human beings with families and financial worries who are just like us. (Last night, the NM Senate passed an amended bill that would still allow the licenses but tighten up the identification requirements and stiffen penalties for fraud.)

“I am concerned our Governor has chosen to devote most of her time and efforts to political wedge issues that divide New Mexicans along the basis of race and national origin, instead of focusing on job creation or our stalled economic recovery,” University of New Mexico student Benai Padilla said. “Every New Mexican that has lost a job, can’t find a job or is having trouble making ends meet should ask the Governor: When will you address our state’s record high and persistent unemployment rates? How do you plan to deal with sharp increases in gas prices that threaten our economic recovery, and the serious energy security issues highlighted by the state’s recent natural gas crisis?”