SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited a state agency from disclosing the names of people bringing complaints about wage law violations by contractors on public works projects.
The governor said the bill passed by the Legislature was overly broad and the Workforce Solutions Department keeps the identity of whistleblowers confidential except to disclose the information to law enforcement or to prosecute violations.
At issue are complaints involving the "prevailing wage" that must be paid by contractors on certain taxpayer-financed construction projects.
Supporters of the legislation contended that stronger confidentiality protections were needed to prevent retaliation by employers against workers reporting possible wage law violations.
The governor and the department say current law protects workers who file complaints or provide information on alleged wage violations.