Opening day of the New Mexico State Legislature saw packed hallways, handshakes and lots of kids. The November election brought Democrats control of the governorship and greater control of the House of Representatives. Before opening day, almost 500 bills were pre-filed. Some of those bills are making a second appearance thanks in part to a veto or pocket veto from former-Governor Susana Martinez.
The bundle of bills making their way back into the legislature are called the Rocket Docket. These bills were assigned to one committee to expedite the process, due to them being passed in both chambers almost a year prior. This session — thanks to a surplus in the Land Grant Permanent Fund from oil and gas revenue — legislators hope to reevaluate New Mexico’s educational system, healthcare programs and infrastructure.
