Gov. shoots down renewable energy measures, other bills

[TexasTowelie]

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez used her veto power Thursday to kill legislation that could have led to more than 700 state buildings getting power from solar, wind or geothermal energy. She also spiked a bill intended to guarantee Santa Fe city government a say in the redevelopment of the Garrett’s Desert Inn property in the city’s downtown historic district. And, as promised, she vetoed two bills that would have raised the statewide minimum wage.

These were among a series of actions announced throughout the day and into the evening as a deadline approached for the governor to sign or veto bills passed during the Legislature’s 2017 regular session.

Senate Bill 227, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, would have required the state government to solicit proposals to power 700 state buildings with renewable energy — as long as the proposals showed a net cost savings and had no upfront costs. The bill received wide bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.

In her veto message, Martinez wrote, “It would be impractical and irresponsible to begin issuing requests for proposals before a plan for these renewable energy services is completed.

Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/gov-shoots-down-renewable-energy-measures-other-bills/article_ca49e638-83a2-54dc-9f6a-bc74c1218a58.html

[Beartracks]

1. Protecting the downtown historic district

"Martinez vetoed Senate Bill 409, which was introduced to help ensure Santa Fe officials have a role in how the State Land Office redevelops state-owned property located across Old Santa Fe Trail from the State Land Office headquarters. (snip) Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and House Speaker Brian Egolf, both Santa Fe Democrats, would have required local government approval of the redevelopment project. During the legislative session, Wirth told a Senate committee that the bill would prevent construction of a 10-story building on the Garrett’s site that would detract from the surrounding cityscape. Egolf argued that Santa Fe’s distinctive architectural style is one of the main aspects of the city that draws tourists.

Martinez, however, said such a process would “undoubtedly delay, postpone or cancel many projects throughout the state that would better the lives of New Mexicans through safety improvements or economic development.”


Santa Fe muni most certainly must be involved in protecting their downtown historic district from any garish, overly big "development" that simply Does. Not. Fit. at The End of the Trail (I'm looking at you, Gerald Peters Gallery aka The Ninth Pueblo). 10 stories tall?? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Santa Fe had an ordinance that prevented anything over, say, 6 stories tall (which is how tall Inn at Loretto is/was) inside the city limits.

Some folks think any development, no matter how incongruous, just needs to have a stucco exterior to "fit" The City Different.

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