1. Statehood at Last
Chapter 1

2. Reasons for the delay: Ignorance – to “foreign” , questioned loyalty
Corrupt Politicians & Businessmen
National Politics
Indian Wars
Lawless “Wild West”

3. What it takes…. Legal Requirements to become a state:
Population of at least 60,000
Write a state constitution
Be approved by majority vote in U.S. Congress

5. State vs. Territory Governor elected by the People
Judges elected by the people
Congressional representative with a vote
Senatorial representation with a vote.
Governor appointed by the president
Judges appointed by president
Represented in Congress by a delegate – couldn’t vote
NO vote in the Senate

6. 47 Stars
The Flag Act of set forth a rule that no new stars could be added to the flag until the Fourth of July immediately following a state’s admission to the union. Thanks to that mandate, New Mexicans hoping to share their pride at becoming the 47th state were essentially forced into committing their first illegal acts as U.S. citizens.

7. The State Constitution of 1910
Enabling Act of 1910:
required NM to write a state constitution.
3 previous attempts in 1850, 1872, 1889
This attempt must be “safe and sane”

8. Constitutional Convention 1910

9. Constitutional Convention
100 delegates elected to represent every county in the territory.
Republicans: 71 (55 Old Guard The remaining 16 delegates were the richest most powerful men in New Mexico)
Democrats: 28
Socialist: 1
Most were the richest and most powerful citizens of NM (Lawyers, ranchers, & merchants)
35 of 100 were Spanish speaking
Entire convention conducted in English & Spanish

10. Solomon Luna, Valencia County
Head of Committee of Committees
Powerful member of the political gathering
Wealthiest sheep rancher in NM
Prominent figure in Republican Party

11. Ironclad Clauses
To change any part of the constitution regarding Hispanic voting rights & education
¾ of the voters in the state
2/3 of the voters in every county
needed to approve the changes.

12. Education & the Constitution
Article 7, section 3
Article 12, Section 10
Voting Rights
This article protects the rights of every citizen to vote regardless of his “religion, race, language or color” and regardless of his inability to speak the Spanish or English language.
“children of Spanish descent” would never be denied admission to public schools
“Shall forever enjoy perfect equality with other children in all public schools”

13. Modern Political Reforms
Prohibition , women’s suffrage, & the election of sate judges were debated at the constitutional convention but quickly defeated.

14. Length of Constitution:
New Mexico’s Constitution is very conservative, and very long.
For example
it has over 21,000 words compared to about 7,000 words in the U.S. Constitution.
Why???

15. Safe & Sane
Constitution considered “Safe and Sane” because it lacked “radical” political ideas
Governors serve 4 year terms
No reelection
Lead by Plural executive
Weakening the strength of the governor
Legislature meets 30 days
Less time to pass new laws each year
Limited women’s suffrage
No voting allowed…. Yet!
Constitution approved January 21, 1910
President William Howard Taft approved Feb 24
Congress approved August 1911.

16. Amendments (since statehood)
1. State governors serve four-year terms, but can be re- elected once;
2. The state government is still led by a plural executive, but since 1964 the governor and lieutenant governor run for election and serve in office as a team;
3. Since 1966 the state legislature meets for thirty 32 day sessions in ever even numbered year (like 2012) and for 60days in odd numbered years (like 2013).
4. Women citizens can vote and run for all offices in all local, state, and national elections.

17. After two months of public debate, the voters of New Mexico approved their new constitution by a great majority, 31,742 to 13,399, on January 21, 1911.
New Mexico sent it’s “safe and sane” document to President William Howard Taft, who approved it on February 24, and then to the U.S. Congress, where it was approved without major opposition in August 1911.

18. Taft signed 1:35 pm January 6 1912

19. How did New Mexicans react to the achievement of statehood?
“ There is no question that New Mexico will now enter upon an era of prosperity. Capital will come here for investment, and business will pick up right away”
“Well, we have our own elected officials at last”
“Statehood is the best thing that ever happened to New Mexico”

20. State Legislature
New Mexico

21. The Capitol Building “The Roundhouse” is located in Santa Fe
It is the 5th Capitol Building
1st one was the Palace of the Governors (1610)

22. Members 2 House Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)
70 members of the House of Representatives (RR=57,60)
42 Senators (District 40)
(right) Sen. Craig Brandt

23. Members Qualifications for House of Representatives:
1. At least 21 years old
2. US Citizen
Live in the district
Qualifications for Senate:
1. At least 25 years old
Representative Jason Harper (District 57)

24. Members
Legislatures are elected from districts of approximately equal population. Large counties (like Bernalillo) may have many districts. While smaller counties may be combined to form a single district.
Legislatures are unpaid volunteers. However they do receive per diem and mileage reimbursement.

25. Leadership
Leader of the Senate is the President Pro Tempore (Mary “Kay” Papen)
Leader of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House (Ken Martinez)

26. Sessions
Regular sessions start on the 3rd Tuesday in January and meet for 60 days on odd numbered years and 30 days for even numbered years.
But the Governor can call a Special Secession
Governor Susana Martinez

27. Committees
Committees play an important role in the legislative process.
In the House; the Speaker appoints members and committee chairs
In the Senate; appointments are made by the committee

28. Committees
Once a Bill is referred to a committee in is then scheduled for consideration
Committee hearings are open to the public and open to testify in favor or in opposition to the bill.
Upon completion of discussion and testimony the committee makes its decision and reports its recommendation

29. Interim Committees
Interim Committees assist the legislature by providing year-round professional staff for research, bill drafting , budget analysis, school research and general housekeeping.

30. Types of Legislation
Bill (is the form used to propose laws. It may originate in either house but it must be passed by both houses and signed by the Governor.
Resolution (formal declaration concerning some subject that can not or does not wish to control by law)
Memorial (a petition or declaration of intent. For example asking for the building of a road)