American Federation of State v. Martinez

OPINION

CHÁVEZ, Justice.

{1} May the Governor use the broad removal authority under Article V, Section 5 of the New Mexico Constitution to remove members of the Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) who have the responsibility to adjudicate the merits of disputes involving the Governor? We answer this question of first impression in the negative for three reasons. First, none of the PELRB members serve at the pleasure of the Governor because the Public Employee Bargaining Act (the Act) obligates the Governor to appoint one member recommended by organized labor, one member recommended by…