Gov. Susana Martinez officially issued the proclamation for a special session, less than 24 hours before legislators are scheduled to gather to discuss a solution to the state’s large budget deficit and other issues Martinez placed on the call.
Andy Lyman
Susana Martinez during the 2016 State of the State Address. Photo Credit: Andy Lyman.
In addition to filling the budget deficit, Martinez will allow legislators to discuss legislation to reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes, expand the state’s three strike law and life imprisonment for intentional child abuse resulting in the death of a child.
Legislators can only discuss items Martinez puts on the call during a special session.
The special session is necessary to deal with a nearly $600 million budget deficit from this year and a recently-completed budget year. Legislators and the governor are required by the state constitution to balance the budget each year.
The bills to expand penalties for certain crimes echoes the legislative session from earlier this year—but comes less than two months before the election and less than two weeks before early voting begins.
The House will waste no time in taking up the crime bills. The House Judiciary and House Safety and Civil Affair Committees will go into a joint session immediately after the floor session Friday.
A special session will cost an estimated $50,000 per day.
A spokesman for the governor told some media outlets Wednesday the governor hoped the special session would be short.
You can read the full proclamation below.
Update: Added information about committee hearings.
Proclamation Special Session 9-30-2016 2 by New Mexico Political Report on Scribd
