Legislature bristles at governor's vetoes of pandemic aid

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State legislators are bristling at vetoes by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that block legislative authority over new federal pandemic aid, and say they may seek a court ruling. Democratic state Sen. George Muñoz of Gallup urged colleagues to seek an opinion from the state Supreme Court on Friday. A spokeswoman for the governor says the appropriation of federal funds falls to the executive branch of state government — though the governor welcomes collaboration with the Legislature. Pandemic relief legislation signed this year by President Joe Biden assigns $1.6 billion in aid directly to New Mexico state government.