Gov. Could Lose GOP Veto Support Over Drug View

Gov. Gary Johnson's most powerful weapon in dealing with the Democratic
majority in the Legislature has been his ability to simply say, "No," and
stop legislation with vetoes. But Johnson's veto power could lose some of
its punch if he alienates too many Republicans by advocating the
legalization of drugs such as marijuana and heroin.

For Johnson's vetoes to succeed, the governor must have the support of
Republicans in the House and Senate to prevent a veto override by
Democrats. Despite rejecting hundreds of bills since taking office in 1995,
Democrats have succeeded just once in enacting legislation over a veto.

But when it comes to veto overrides, Johnson doesn't have too many GOP
votes to spare.

"I think the risk of losing support in the House side has been amplified by
a factor of 10," Rep. Ron Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican, says of
Johnson's declaration of support last week for drug legalization.

When House Republicans meet later this month to prepare for next year's
legislative session, Godbey will ask his colleagues to vote for a
resolution condemning Johnson's stance on drugs and asking the governor to
refrain from advocating drug legalization.

House GOP Leader Ted Hobbs of Albuquerque isn't happy with Johnson's much
publicized crusade for drug law changes.

But, he says, "I don't think it will damage our ability to uphold his vetoes."

Currently, Democrats hold a 40-30 majority in the House and 25-17 advantage
in the Senate. That means Democrats need the support of seven Republicans
in the House and three in the Senate for a veto override if all members
cast votes and all Democrats oppose the governor.

"The drug thing is so far off the wall that we are able to separate that,"
says Hobbs. "We still want to stand behind Governor Johnson on most of his
basic principles -- size of government, reduced taxation and true school
reform."

Rep. Terry Marquardt, an Alamogordo Republican, puts it this way: "I think
Republicans will continue to support the governor on Republican issues."

Sen. R.L. Stockard, a Bloomfield Republican and a retired State Police
captain, says, "Even though the governor has damaged himself on this issue,
I don't know that the Republicans would break and run from him on all the
issues just because they disagree with him on this issue."

For any governor, the veto power is important. It's not only a way to block
legislation, but the threat of a veto can provide a governor with political
leverage to pressure lawmakers to change a bill. But such threats are
hollow if the Legislature can override a governor's veto.

For Republicans in the Legislature -- as the minority party -- Johnson's
veto power has served as a check on the Democratic majority's ability to
steamroll them in the House and Senate.

Godbey says Johnson could have counted on House Republicans to "march in
lockstep" in opposing veto overrides in the past. Now, he says, more
members are likely to take a closer look at the underlying piece of
legislation before deciding whether to sustain a Johnson veto.

"With what he had in the last session, he could rule with an iron fist,"
Godbey said. "He was absolutely king of the mountain. I am sure he is not
in that position now."