The Office of the Lieutenant Governor fulfills constitutional duties as President of the New Mexico Senate, Acting Governor in cases when the Governor is out of the state, providing constituent services and serving as a member on several boards and commissions.
President of the SenateDuring the times that the Legislature is in regular, special, or extraordinary session, the Lieutenant Governor presides over the State Senate.
Lieutenant Governor Sanchez presided over the 2011 – 60 day session (gaveling down every day of the assembly without fail) from January 18 to March 19. A special session is planned this September for redistricting purposes and a 30 day legislative session is scheduled for next year.
The Lieutenant Governor has made a concerted effort to work with Senators of both parties, and will continue to preside in a fair, orderly and professional manner.
Acting Governor
When the Governor is out of the state, the Lieutenant Governor, according to the New Mexico Constitution, becomes the Acting Governor until the Governor returns to the state.
During such times, the office of the Lieutenant Governor will operate at a higher level of awareness and increased involvement with the staff of the Governor and department heads. This will ensure effective communication with the Lieutenant Governor and his availability in the event that any matter requires his attention.
Likewise, the office of the Lieutenant Governor will inform the Governor’s office as well as the Secretary of State of any planned trip out of the state in a timely manner. This will allow for the appropriate coordination between the Governor’s office and the Secretary’s office to take place.
Constituent ServicesLieutenant Governor Sanchez serves as the Ombudsman for New Mexico.
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will work to facilitate and promote the cooperation and understanding between the people of this state and the agencies of state government; by assisting them in their dealings with such agencies, and by assisting the agencies to explain their functions, duties, and administrative procedures insofar as they affect the people of this state; and refer any complaints, requests or special problems of the citizens of this state to the proper agency in a timely and courteous fashion.
Boards and CommissionsLieutenant Governor Sanchez (or a representative from his office) currently serves on the following boards and committees by state statute or executive order:
-
State Board of Finance – (by statute)
- Mortgage Finance Authority – (by statute)
- Community Development Council – (by statute)
- New Mexico Border Authority – (by statute)
- New Mexico Spaceport Authority – (by statute)
- Military Base Planning Commission – (by statute)
- Interoperability Planning Commission – (by statute)
- New Mexico Children’s Cabinet – (by statute)
- New Mexico Youth Alliance – (by statute)
- Individual Development Account Council – (by statute)
- Centennial of Statehood Task Force – (by executive order)
- Insure New Mexico Council – (by executive order)
It is the goal of Lieutenant Governor Sanchez (as well as the members of his office) to not only attend meetings, but participate on all active boards.