Lawmakers seek special session

David Arkin

Republican lawmakers are pushing for a special legislative session. They want to discuss a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

But area legislators are doubtful the session is going to happen.

And the area’s lone Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Jose Campos of Santa Rosa, called the plan “ridiculous.”

Gov. Bill Richardson has said he does not support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The governor is against same-sex marriages though.

Last month in Sandoval County, the county clerk there allowed same-sex couples to get marriage licenses for one day, until the state attorney general declared her actions were illegal.

Last weekend, the state Republican Party met in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico for its pre-primary convention. There, they began a petition drive asking Richardson to call a special session where lawmakers could make constitutional changes to same-sex marriages.

Constitutional amendments need the approval of both the Legislature and voters.

State Rep. Brian Moore, R-Clayton, said he thought it was important for voters to get a voice in the decision.

“This is very emotional for some folks,” he said. “Some support gay rights more than others. On this issue, I have people who I represent who are on both sides of this issue and because of that it seems that everyone should get the chance to vote on this.”

But Campos said the special session would cost too much money and the issue is something that could be addressed at next year’s 60-day session.

“I think we need to be responsible with taxpayers’ money,” he said. “I just don’t see a reason for urgency on this issue. If this was an issue critical to New Mexico that would be one thing, but this is turning out to be a political hot potato.”

Campos said he thought the petition was politically motivated.

“Instead of trying to move the state forward, they are trying to find an issue to where we will be voting against each other,” he said.

But Moore said he thought there was support from both sides of the aisle for changes to the state constitution.

“I do think it crosses party lines,” he said.

Moore said recently there has been some talk from lawmakers that it might be time to address the issue.

“Last year there was some discussion about a constitutional amendment and what I heard is that we didn’t need it,” he said.

But Campos said he hasn’t heard any discussions from lawmakers about an amendment. He said the first time he was approached about same-sex marriages was when a reporter called him after Sandoval County approved same-sex marriage licenses.

If Richardson denies Republicans’ wish to hold a special session to address the same-sex marriage issue, lawmakers could call an extraordinary session.

A two-thirds vote by both the House and Senate is required to hold an extraordinary session.

Lawmakers held an extraordinary session during former Gov. Gary Johnson’s administration to pass a budget.

But State Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, said it would be difficult to get both the House and Senate to agree on an extraordinary session.

“I think you might be able to get enough Republicans to call for an extraordinary session, but I don’t know if you could get both Houses to do it,” he said.