Santa Fe, NM- Earlier today, Legislative Council filed a petition for Writ of Mandamus in Santa Fe District Court seeking invalidation of the vetoes of ten bills passed during the regular session. Speaker Brian Egolf and Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen issued the following statement:

"Effective governing requires clear communication between the executive and legislative branches. Although those bills passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, the legislature remains in the dark regarding Governor Martinez's objections to those bills she attempted to veto. By seeking Mandamus, we are protecting the legislative process and ensuring that the Governor complies with the constitution. If successful in the Court, we will not only have succeeded in maintaining separation of powers, but in enacting these ten bills our state can better prepare students for high-paying careers in STEM, support small businesses to grow and thrive, and provide opportunity to New Mexicans everywhere."