Statement Regarding Pocket Veto of the First Ever Civil Rights Division Within the Attorney General’s Office

Albuquerque, NM – “I am disappointed in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decision to veto Senate Bill 426. This important legislation, which had broad bipartisan and community support, would have given the Attorney General’s Office powerful new tools to protect the civil rights of every New Mexican and the explicit authority to advocate for vulnerable children who continue to be harmed by government neglect and incompetence. Despite this setback, I intend to use the inherent power of my office – both civil and criminal – to safeguard the basic rights of every citizen in this state and will continue to work with leaders at every level of government who make the interests of New Mexico’s children their paramount concern.”